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
- Galapagos Wildlife Cruise (Archipel I)
- Geluxe: The Galápagos: Wildlife of Santa Cruz & Isabela Islands
- 10 Days Galapagos Highlights Small Group Tour
- 4-Day Galapagos Island Hopping
- Galapagos Insight
- 5-Day Luxury Galapagos
- Nature and Adventure: 5 Days in Santa Cruz and Isabela
- 6-Day Galapagos Islands plus Bike, Kayak, Hike, Snorkel
- 7 Days Galapagos Express Adventure
Galápagos Express Adventure: Wilderness & Wildlife
14 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“An amazing way to experience Galapagos in a week, without needing to do a cruise.”
Felix, traveled in May
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 $2,199
25% Off- NZ$1,649You save $550
Galapagos Wildlife Cruise (Archipel I)
40 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The Cachalotte is a superb boat and the staff are exceptional, the chef needs a medal the food presented was far superior to any hotel I have stayed in.”
Pat, traveled in May
Duration 17 days Destinations Quito, Genovesa Island, Santa Cruz Island, Floreana Island, Española Island, San Cristóbal Island, Isabela Island, Rabida Island, Guayaquil Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
25% Off- NZ$24,135
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 $8,559
25% Off- NZ$6,419You save $2,140
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$4,820
4-Day Galapagos Island Hopping
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“At no point was I confused with the itinerary. I would defiantly recommend!”
Nicole, traveled in January
Los Túneles hosts Galapagos penguins and sea lions, while flamingos grace Puerto Villamil, and giant tortoises roam Charles Darwin Station. Clear 20°C waters offer snorkeling alongside marine iguanas and manta rays.
Duration 4 days Destinations Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island Age Range Ages 12+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Rebecca Adventure Travel From
25% Off- NZ$1,952
Galapagos Insight
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Nothing was too much trouble and they took great pride in ensuring we were safe and happy.”
Carla, traveled in December
The Galapagos wildlife comes alive at Charles Darwin Station, with blue-footed boobies at Cerro Tijeretas and giant tortoises roaming their natural habitat. Marine life awaits snorkelers at Los Túneles and Kicker Rock.
Duration 10 days Destinations Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Bartolomé Island, Isabela Island, Puerto Villamil, Las Tintoreras Islet, San Cristóbal Island, Floreana Island Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator True Ecuador Travel From
25% Off- NZ$3,949
5-Day Luxury Galapagos
18 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Everything was arranged like clockwork. The meals were surprisingly beautiful and delicious.”
PretDiffie, traveled in March
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$7,432
Nature and Adventure: 5 Days in Santa Cruz and Isabela
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour is definitely recommended for those people who love the pure nature and animals. The accommodation was very nice and the tour was very well planned and organized!”
Laurent, traveled in August
The wildlife-rich Galapagos showcases diversity at Charles Darwin Station, blue sharks at Tintoreras Islet, and flamingos at Puerto Villamil's wetlands. Expert naturalists guide visits to giant tortoise habitats at Rancho Primicia and Tortuga Bay's pristine ecosystem.
Duration 5 days Destinations Baltra Island, Isabela Island, Las Tintoreras Islet, Santa Cruz Island Age Range Operated in English, Spanish Operator BM Tours From
25% Off- NZ$1,470
Wildlife encounters unfold while kayaking with Penguins at Tintoreras Islet and hiking among Giant Tortoises at Campo Duro. Blue-footed Boobies appear during snorkeling adventures while endemic species captivate at the Charles Darwin Station.
Duration 6 days Destinations Baltra Island, Isabela Island, Santa Cruz Island Age Range Ages 12+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Nature Galapagos & Ecuador From
25% Off- NZ$2,887
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$2,239
What people love about Wildlife Tours in Galapagos Islands
Fantastic journey that was made possible by knowledgeable guides and lots of organization.
Galapagos an enchanted Archipielago (8 days)
- Concise Galapagos
This tour is perfect for those with limited time to spend and a desire to have some freedom to explore the towns and restaurants. The itinerary was well organized and provided a good mix of water and land activities. With a land-based tour comes early mornings and travel during the day, which led to some fatigue by the end of the week, but otherwise would do the same if we could do it over again. The local tour operators were incredibly helpful and went out of their way to make sure the experience was good. The online communication prior to the trip was good but a few items were incorrect eg we did indeed need COVID pcr testing at the time of our travel and this was not clear prior to our departure. We got the test just in case and we’re very happy we did.
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."