Christmas & New Year Tours & Trips in Galapagos Islands
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10 best christmas & new year Galapagos Islands tours
Compiled by
MelissaGalapagos Islands travel expert at TourRadar
- Ecuador & Galápagos: 8 Days of Nature’s Magic
- 5-Day Luxury Galapagos
- 7 Days Galapagos Multisport Adventure Tour
- Galapagos Discovery
- Galapagos Experience
- 9 Days Galapagos Active Escape
- Pure Galapagos (Grand Daphne)
- Galapagos Island Hopping Adventure 7D/6N
- Santa Cruz Island Diving Adventure 7D/6N
- Galapagos Island Hopping Diving Full Experience 8D/7N
Duration 8 days Destinations Quito, Baltra Island Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Wanderful Holidays LLC From
- NZ$7,399
5-Day Luxury Galapagos
18 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Having everything booked for us in advance and guides at each stop was a wonderful way to experience this trip.”
Ashley, traveled in February
The Galapagos beckons during holidays at Los Túneles with penguins and sea lions. Festive stays at Hotel Ikala complement frigatebird watching at Punta Camaño. Nature enthusiasts can observe marine iguanas at Los Perros Beach as they welcome the New Year.
Duration 5 days Destinations Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Santa Fé Island, Isabela Island Age Range Ages 12+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Rebecca Adventure Travel From $7,399
15% Off- NZ$6,290You save $1,110
7 Days Galapagos Multisport Adventure Tour
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The stellar reward we dedicated guides who delivered fun and adventure hands on in a sharing and caring fashion.”
Neil, traveled in April
Marine sanctuaries showcase holiday magic in the Galapagos. Hammerhead sharks circle Kicker Rock, giant tortoises roam Santa Cruz highlands, and volcanic tunnels at Los Tuneles reveal underwater wonders. Penguins join kayaking excursions at Tintoreras for New Year.
Duration 7 days Destinations San Cristóbal Island, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island, Baltra Island Age Range Ages 18+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Responsible Travel South America From
15% Off- NZ$4,475
Galapagos Discovery
19 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great experience, I would recommend this tour.”
Markus, traveled in November
Giant tortoises and marine iguanas create a unique Christmas in the Galápagos. The Interpretation Centre and Charles Darwin Station offer special holiday programs. Sea lions and turtles welcome snorkelers at Tijeretas and La Loberia.
Duration 9 days Destinations Quito, San Cristóbal Island, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From $3,815
15% Off- NZ$3,243+$396 local paymentsYou save $572
Galapagos Experience
14 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“So much snorkelling!!”
Sasha, traveled in December
Unique Galapagos species greet visitors at the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre. Marine life displays festive colors at Tijeretas, while three distinct islands host holiday activities. December brings prime wildlife viewing at Charles Darwin Station.
Duration 7 days Destinations San Cristóbal Island, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From $2,130
15% Off- NZ$1,811+$396 local paymentsYou save $320
Duration 9 days Destinations Quito, San Cristóbal Island, Isabela Island, Santa Cruz Island Age Range Ages 7+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Responsible Travel South America From
15% Off- NZ$6,368
Pure Galapagos (Grand Daphne)
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Great destinations and friendly crew, very good food especially vegetables.”
emerald, traveled in April
Le Grande Daphne hosts magical Christmas celebrations in the Galapagos. This special voyage features penguin encounters at Bartolome, volcanic terrain walks at Punta Espinosa, and frigate bird watching at North Seymour across 9 distinct islands.
Duration 8 days Destinations Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Rabida Island, Isabela Island, Fernandina Island, Santiago Island, Bartolomé Island, Sombrero Chino Island, Seymour Norte Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
15% Off- NZ$10,545+$396 local payments
Wildlife encounters at Tintoreras Islet and Lobos Island make Christmas magical in the Galapagos. Sierra Negra Volcano hiking and marine life snorkeling welcome the New Year. Six nights spread across three islands complete this adventure.
Duration 7 days Destinations Baltra Island, Isabela Island, Las Tintoreras Islet, Santa Cruz Island, Santa Fé Island, Bartolomé Island, San Cristóbal Island, Lobos Island Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Bamba Travel From
15% Off- NZ$3,990
December brings perfect wildlife viewing in the Galapagos. The Charles Darwin Station welcomes visitors, while Tortuga Bay offers scenic cycling routes. Puerto Ayora hosts festive meals during peak season.
Duration 7 days Destinations Quito, Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Bamba Travel From
15% Off- NZ$3,658
Holiday diving beckons at Kicker Rock and Gordon Rocks. Seasonal wildlife gatherings await at Cerro Tijeretas and giant tortoise sites, complemented by festive meals and island lodging.
Duration 8 days Destinations Quito, San Cristóbal Island, Santa Cruz Island Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Bamba Travel From
15% Off- NZ$4,856
What people love about Christmas & New Year Tours in Galapagos Islands
- Galapagos Essentials
Very well organized tour, well-balanced itinerary with lots of free time to explore. It is definitely an express tour of Galapagos, if time allows a few more days are recommended
- Magical Galapagos (5 Days)
A trip to The Galapagos is always going to be amazing because of the wonderful things you see! However, could this tour have been better? The answer is yes. The activities were great but a couple of the tour guides made the them less enjoyable. One of the tours had a guide called Billy, who didnt say much in English despite the fact he could speak English and it was an English speaking tour. We felt excludes from a lot om this particular tour and didnt really know where we were going or what we were doing! And one of our final guides was great at English but his style was to ask you questions that you didnt know the answer to, rather than actually inform you and share knowledge. Some of the guides in between were fantastic! In regards to the organisation from the hotel and the staff/drivers at Galapagos Dreams... The girls on the reception were great, always helpful and friendly. The guys organising it werent as good unfortunately. I think the general thing I would say is that for most people, a visit to the Galapagos is a once in a lifetime trip, and the organisers and staff could consider that more. They lack the customer service element and the enthusiasm that is generally expected in the tourism industry. That been said, this was one of the cheaper tours we saw so if we had paid more we may have got a higher level of service.
- Galapagos Discovery
Animals in galapagos. Islands and beaches
What our customers ask about Christmas & New Year Tours & Trips in Galapagos Islands
How far in advance should I book a Christmas & New Year tour to the Galapagos?
Book Galapagos festive season tours 8-12 months ahead to secure preferred accommodations and activities. Places like the Semilla Verde Boutique Hotel and Isamar Hotel fill up early as do tours to Sierra Negra Volcano and Kicker Rock. Recent travelers who waited until 6 months before departure found limited options. A TourRadar traveler shared "We booked our Christmas tour 10 months ahead and were glad we did as many other travelers we met had trouble finding availability just 6 months before."
What makes Christmas & New Year in the Galapagos Islands special?
The Galapagos combines holiday festivities with natural wonders during the festive season. Hotel Solymar guests enjoy Christmas dinner while sea lions and marine iguanas roam nearby shores. December's 79°F temperatures create ideal conditions for snorkeling at Kicker Rock and Tortuga Bay where tropical fish sea turtles and rayseler noted "The Christmas dinner overlooking the Pacific Ocean while watching the sunset was absolutely magical and the wildlife encounters made it an unforgettable holiday experience."
What wildlife can I expect to see during a Christmas & New Year tour?
The festive season presents prime wildlife viewing. Giant tortoise hatchlings emerge at the Charles Darwin Research Station while green sea turtles begin nesting at Tortuga Bay. Waved Albatross colonies remain active on Española Island before their seasonal departure. One traveler reported "We saw everything from baby sea lions playing on Christmas Day at La Loberia to blue-footed boobies performing their mating dance on New Year's Eve - it was like nature's own holiday celebration."
What are the accommodation options during Christmas & New Year?
Hotels across the islands offer special holiday programs. Semilla Verde Boutique Hotel provides festive packages with seasonal decorations while Isamar Hotel hosts beachfront celebrations. Most properties arrange Christmas and New Year's Eve dinners. According to a guest "We stayed at the Red Mangrove Hotel in Puerto Ayora which was beautifully decorated for Christmas and offered amazing holiday feasts with local specialties."
Are there any local Christmas & New Year traditions in the Galapagos?
Puerto Ayora's main square comes alive with Ecuadorian holiday customs blended with island traditions. Local music and dance fill the streets while venues like Red Mangrove serve Christmas Eve dinners featuring fresh seafood and traditional dishes. A recent visitor observed "Spending New Year's Eve in Puerto Ayora was incredible - the whole town comes alive with music dancing and local traditions we'd never experienced before."
What's the best way to travel between islands during Christmas & New Year?
Speedboats connect major islands like Santa Cruz Isabela and San Cristóbal. Morning departures offer calmer conditions compared to afternoon crossings. The Santa Cruz to Isabela route takes about 2.5 hours. A traveler suggests "We took early morning boat transfers during our Christmas tour which were smoother and offered beautiful sunrise views of the islands."
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