Isabela Island Tour 2026

Isabela Island tour itinerary

How do you get to Isabela Island?

This tour starts at 07:00 a.m. from the Puerto Ayora pier, where you'll board an inter-island ferryboat along with a certified nature guide. After sailing for approximately 2 hours, you will arrive in Puerto Villamil, a charming and picturesque town, famous for its white sand beaches, unique fauna and quiet environment.

Recommendation: for a more comfortable trip, if you are prone to motion sickness, take a motion sickness pill at least 30 minutes before boarding, as the sea can sometimes be rough, especially from July to September when the Humboldt and Cromwell currents are more intense.

What activities are carried out?

• Nature photography
• Educational nature hike (80%)
• Snorkeling (20%)

Hiking

Level of difficulty: Easy to Moderate.

Las Tintoreras Islet
The first stop is at the Las Tintoreras Islet, located in front of the bay of Puerto Villamil, where you will see the famous crystal clear water channel where sea turtles rest, along whitetip reef sharks (called “tintoreras”), which give the islet its name.

Photography

During the trip to the islet, it is possible to spot a wide variety of endemic species, such as Galapagos penguins (Spheniscus mendiculus), marine iguanas, and various birds such as frigatebirds.

Snorkeling

After the walk, a snorkeling session takes place on a small beach on the islet. Here you can swim alongside whitetip reef sharks, sea turtles, sea lions, and a vibrant ecosystem of tropical fish.

Note: You don't need prior snorkeling experience; our team will always be there to assist you.

Lunch

You will enjoy a delicious lunch at a restaurant in the area at the time scheduled by our team.

Arnoldo Tupiza Breeding Center

It's one of the most fascinating places on Isabela Island and a must-visit for nature and conservation enthusiasts.

Here you can get a closer look at the Galapagos giant tortoise breeding, nurturing and repatriation project. The tour begins with a pleasant walk along trails lined with endemic vegetation to the Center's facilities, where a certified nature guide will explain the history and conservation of the approximately 330 juvenile and adult giant tortoises the Center houses. You can also observe giant tortoises at different stages of life, from newborns to adults more than 100 years old.

The Wetlands

One of the most impressive and biodiverse ecosystems in Galapagos, located a few minutes from Puerto Villamil. Here it is possible to observe Galapagos flamingos, white-cheeked pintails, herons, black-necked stilts, gallinula galeata, eurasian whimbrels and a wide variety of coastal and migratory birds.

Return
After a short break, the return to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island begins, at approximately 15:00.