Wildlife Tours & Trips in Galapagos Islands
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10 best wildlife Galapagos Islands tours
Compiled by
MelissaGalapagos Islands travel expert at TourRadar
- Galápagos Express Adventure: Wilderness & Wildlife
- Geluxe: The Galápagos: Wildlife of Santa Cruz & Isabela Islands
- 10 Days Galapagos Highlights Small Group Tour
- Galapagos an enchanted Archipielago (8 days)
- 5-Day Luxury Galapagos
- Galapagos Island Hopper
- 7 Days Galapagos Express Adventure
- 5 Days Galapagos Expedition Tour
- Galápagos Multisport
- 7 Days Galapagos Expedition: San Cristobal & Santa Cruz Island
Galápagos Express Adventure: Wilderness & Wildlife
14 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“An unrivalled experience for wildlife lovers.”
Adam, traveled in August
Wildlife viewing spans giant tortoises at Charles Darwin Research Station, sea lions at Tijeretas, and marine iguanas at Concha de Perla. Naturalists guide visitors across Santa Cruz, Isabela, and San Cristóbal islands.
Duration 7 days Destinations Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island, San Cristóbal Island Age Range Ages 18-39 Operator G Adventures From $2,359
25% Off- NZ$1,769You save $590
Stunning marine life thrives at Los Túneles, reef sharks swim near Las Tintoreras, and giant tortoises roam Santa Cruz highlands. Naturalist guides share insights at Charles Darwin Research Station and coastal paths.
Duration 8 days Destinations Quito, Baltra Island, Puerto Ayora, Isabela Island, Santa Cruz Island Age Range Ages 18+ Operator G Adventures From
25% Off- NZ$7,719
10 Days Galapagos Highlights Small Group Tour
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The canoe rides and sightseeing were unforgettable. The food and restaurant service was great.”
Andrew, traveled in August
Wildlife thrives throughout Galápagos at Charles Darwin Station and Santa Cruz highlands' tortoise territory. Marine life fills Las Grietas canyon and Tortuga Bay, while expert guides reveal San Cristóbal's and Isabela's natural treasures.
Duration 10 days Destinations Quito, Santa Cruz Island, San Cristóbal Island, Isabela Island Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Responsible Travel South America From
25% Off- NZ$4,850
Galapagos an enchanted Archipielago (8 days)
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Lodging was really comfortable and spacious. Staff were very friendly and helpful.”
Hitomi, traveled in November
Unique wildlife appears at every turn – from Galapagos penguins at Las Tintoreras to giant tortoises at Arnaldo Tupiza breeding center. Flamingos wade at Poza de Flamingos and marine iguanas bask at Tortuga Bay while sea turtles glide through crystal waters.
Duration 8 days Destinations Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Floreana Island, Isabela Island, Seymour Norte Age Range Ages 6+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Cami Adventures From
25% Off- NZ$2,957
5-Day Luxury Galapagos
18 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This was different from tour groups in the past since one just follows the itinerary purchased and not necessarily in a big group.”
MARY, traveled in February
Los Túneles teems with Galapagos wildlife: penguins, sharks, and manta rays in 20°C waters. Giant tortoises weighing up to 550 lbs roam Santa Cruz highlands. Marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies populate Punta Camaño.
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
25% Off- NZ$7,478
Galapagos Island Hopper
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Fantastic experience. Local tour guide Karen was knowledgeable and helpful.”
Meir, traveled in September
Duration 6 days Destinations Isabela Island, Galapagos Islands, Santa Cruz Island Age Range Ages 18-35 Operator Contiki From
25% Off- NZ$4,173+$1,507 upfront costs
Sea lions bask at La Lobería while marine iguanas claim Las Grietas and blue-footed boobies parade on North Seymour Island. Expert naturalists guide daily excursions from Puerto Ayora through diverse island ecosystems.
Duration 7 days Destinations Quito, Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island Age Range Ages 12+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Responsible Travel South America From
25% Off- NZ$2,253
5 Days Galapagos Expedition Tour
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Accommodation in Postale de Mar an La Jungla was excellent with nothing too much trouble for the great hosts.”
RICHARD, traveled in June
Penguins and sharks share Las Tintoreras' waters while giant tortoises roam at Fausto Llerena Breeding Center. Seahorses hide among Los Tuneles' underwater formations. Expert naturalists ensure optimal wildlife viewing across both islands.
Duration 5 days Destinations Baltra Island, Puerto Ayora, Isabela Island Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Responsible Travel South America From
25% Off- NZ$2,489
Galápagos Multisport
45 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Experience of a lifetime ❤️”
Yasemin, traveled in November
Marine life flourishes at Black Beach's snorkeling spots and Las Tintoreras' kayaking waters. Charles Darwin Station and Giant Tortoise breeding centers showcase blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, and whitetip reef sharks.
Duration 10 days Destinations Quito, San Cristóbal Island, Floreana Island, Isabela Island, Santa Cruz Island Age Range Ages 12+ Operator G Adventures From
25% Off- NZ$5,399
Sea turtles glide past snorkelers at Kicker Rock as giant tortoises roam Santa Cruz highlands and marine iguanas bask at Las Grietas. Sea lions play at La Lobería while white-tip sharks patrol Shark Channel.
Duration 7 days Destinations San Cristóbal Island, Santa Cruz Island, Baltra Island Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Responsible Travel South America From
25% Off- NZ$3,183
What people love about Wildlife Tours in Galapagos Islands
Rebecca Adventure Travel provides the best tours in Ecuador for biking and hiking. The activities are really great and according to your interests. I highly recommend it.
4-Day Galapagos Island Hopping
- Galapagos Insight
It is a Wonderful trip in Galapagos
My friend and I made a last minute decision to head to the Galapagos and found Tour Radar to coordinate our trip. It was fantastic! It was certainly helpful to have insider knowledge since we had little time to do our own research. When we did have questions (and we did pretty much every day!) I have to give tremendous credit to Tour Radar’s local contact, Jeferson Paucar at Responsible Travel. I don’t think he is ever away from his work because he always immediately answered my DM’s no matter what time of day or night. He was outstanding. As for the trip itself, Galapagos is just magical. Isabela was our favorite island due to its smaller town size, beautiful beaches and friendly vibe. Snorkeling was incredibly amazing with the clearest water. We did the 6 hour Sierra Negra volcano hike. The hike up and back is a bit of a grind, but the enormity of the caldera and the hike down the other side into the lava flow area is amazing. Please bring LOTS of water and some bars. It is described as a 6 hour hike and it is just that. As an avid trail runner and hiker, I was expecting a lot of stopping along the way and thought I might feel slowed down. That was definitely not the case!
5 Days Galapagos Expedition Tour
What our customers ask about Wildlife Tours & Trips in Galapagos Islands
When is the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands for wildlife viewing?
The peak wildlife viewing season runs from December to May when the waters are clearest for snorkeling. During these months the water temperature averages 75°F (24°C) making it ideal for marine life encounters. Green sea turtles gather at Elizabeth Bay on Isabela Island and the waved albatross returns to Española Island between April and May for breeding season. A TourRadar traveler noted "The wildlife was incredible and the weather was awesome making every snorkeling session unforgettable." Water visibility can reach up to 30-40 feet during these months according to the Charles Darwin Research Station.
Which Galapagos islands offer the best wildlife encounters?
Each major island presents distinct wildlife viewing opportunities. Isabela Island stands out for its penguin and marine iguana populations while Fernandina Island is known for its flightless cormorants. San Cristobal Island particularly at Isla Lobos provides reliable sea lion encounters. Santa Cruz Island's El Chato Reserve offers close-up giant tortoise viewing. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Isabela Island was a highlight - we saw countless marine iguanas penguins and even got to snorkel with sea turtles at Los Tuneles." Quality accommodations like Casa Marita Hotel on Isabela and Galapagos Sunset Hotel on San Cristobal place visitors near prime wildlife spots.
What marine wildlife can I expect to see while snorkeling in the Galapagos?
The waters around Devil's Crown and Kicker Rock are rich with marine life including sea turtles white-tipped reef sharks and sea lions. Los Tuneles near Isabela Island is known for its seahorses marine iguanas and diverse tropical fish. Properties like Casa Opuntia on San Cristobal provide convenient access to these premier snorkeling sites. According to a TourRadar traveler: "The snorkeling was spectacular - we saw manta rays sea turtles sharks and incredibly colorful tropical fish everywhere we went."
What types of endemic birds can I spot in the Galapagos?
The archipelago's unique bird species include Darwin's finches flightless cormorants on Fernandina Island and waved albatrosses on Española Island. North Seymour Island accessible from hotels like Ikala on Santa Cruz is a prime spot for viewing magnificent frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies in their natural habitat. A TourRadar traveler commented: "Our guide's knowledge of the birds was incredible - we saw everything from tiny finches to huge frigatebirds with their red pouches inflated."
How physically demanding are wildlife viewing activities in the Galapagos?
Activities range from leisurely walks at the Charles Darwin Research Station to more challenging hikes like the Sierra Negra Volcano trail which takes 5-6 hours on Isabela Island. Snorkeling spots such as Los Tuneles need basic swimming skills. According to a TourRadar traveler: "While some hikes were challenging like the one to Sierra Negra's rim our guide at Hotel Casa Marita was great at adjusting the pace for different fitness levels and the wildlife viewing made every effort worthwhile."
What's the accommodation like on wildlife tours in the Galapagos?
The islands offer diverse lodging options from mid-range properties like Galapagos Sunset Hotel on San Cristobal to upscale choices such as Casa Marita on Isabela Island. Many rooms provide ocean views and easy access to wildlife areas. A TourRadar traveler reported: "The Blue Galapagos Hotel in Santa Cruz was wonderful - we could watch marine iguanas and sally lightfoot crabs right from our balcony and it was just a short walk to the Charles Darwin Research Station."