Galápagos Small Island Adventures: Isla Santa Cruz, Isla San Cristóbal & Isla Isabela - 9 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Santa Cruz, Visit Santa Cruz Highlands & Charles Darwin Station

Welcome to the Galápagos Islands! After arriving at the airport in Isla Baltra, a local guide will pick you up. On the way to Puerto Ayora on Isla Santa Cruz, you'll stop at a local farm in the highlands, where dozens of giant tortoises exist. Wander around on your own to appreciate these majestic creatures. Then, enjoy lunch before continuing to your hotel. 

In the afternoon, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Witness firsthand the work of international scientists coming to the Galápagos to conduct environmental projects. Head to the nearby Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, where giant Galápagos tortoises breed and are cared for. This is the best place on the islands to see different tortoise species and learn about each one.

Day 2: Explore an Uninhabited Island

After breakfast, you'll take a full-day boat tour to an uninhabited isle around Santa Cruz. Depending on the permits granted by the park authorities, you'll travel to either Santa Fé, Plaza Sur, Plaza Norte, Seymour Norte, or Bartolomé. After a boat ride, hike with your guide to see more wildlife and relax on the beach, with a break on deck for lunch. At the end of your tour, return to Puerto Ayora.   

Day 3: Day Trip to Isla Floreana

After breakfast, you'll be picked up at your hotel, joining a small group to visit Isla Floreana, filled with mysteries, romance, and history. Once you arrive, head to Asilo de la Paz, where you'll enter a pirate's cave with a freshwater spring in Floreana's highlands. Later, hear the history of the first families who arrived and settled in the Galápagos. The final visit will be to La Lobería's half-mile (1 km) long path, where you'll observe sea lions and marine iguanas sunbathing. Later relax and enjoy beach time at Playa Negra. 

Day 4: Discover Isla Pinzón & La Fé

Today embark on an adventure to Isla Pinzón and La Fé. You'll arrive at Pinzón, the first snorkel stop of the day. Snorkel in Penguin Bay, with clear blue waters rich with marine life. This allows you to observe sea lions, turtles, reef sharks, rays, tropical fish, and penguins. There will also be time to go fishing before continuing another 30-minute boat ride to La Fé, a beautiful white sandy beach. Lunch will be served on board, and during that time, hop off and swim to the shore, relax in the sun, or take in more stunning views of aquatic life while snorkeling.

Day 5: Transfer to Isla San Cristóbal, Interpretation Center &Tijeretas Hill

Meet your guide in the morning for a ride to the dock in Puerto Ayora. From there, take a three-hour speedboat to Isla San Cristóbal. Check in to your hotel and then visit an interpretation center to learn about the island's wildlife and conservation efforts. In a natural history room, see a presentation of the island's origins and human history since Galápagos' discovery. Afterward, hike along Las Tijeretas Hill to see the archipelagos' wildlife in their natural habitat. Named for tijeretas (frigatebirds) that nest in this area, you may also see whales if you visit the island from June to October. 

Day 7: Fly to Isla Isabela, Explore Tintoreras Islet

A driver will pick you up at your hotel and escort you to the small airport on Isla San Cristóbal, where you'll take an island hopper plane to Isla Isabela. Enjoy a 45-minute panoramic flight over the archipelago. Upon arrival, another driver will be waiting for you to transfer you to your hotel in Puerto Villamil. Later visit the Tintoreras Islet, mainly formed by lava rocks, for a short hike and snorkeling. This site is full of rich biodiversity and is home to the whitetip reef sharks, sea lions, turtles, iguanas, and many other species.

This small islet is named after the reef sharks, also known as whitetip sharks, that can be seen swimming along with fish and sea lions in the channels when the tide is low. You'll find marine iguanas nesting, allowing for close encounters, along with Humboldt penguins, blue-footed boobies, and sharks, which rest in the natural channels formed by lava flows. Snorkel in clear turquoise water, and observe sea turtles, starfish, tropical fish, rays, pelicans, and Galápagos penguins. Return to Puerto Villamil and enjoy this laid-back town. End your day with drinks as you watch the sunset.

Day 8: Excursion to Los Túneles, Transfer to Isla Santa Cruz

Los Túneles' geological formations of rock arches and tunnels below and above the ocean are one of Isla Isabela's unique snorkeling spots. With your gear ready, start in shallow water, where you can encounter various aquatic wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for tropical fish, rays, turtles, seahorses, and starfish. When you emerge above the water, look for penguins or blue-footed boobies waiting to greet you on the rocks. After the excursion, return by boat to Puerto Villamil and grab your bags for a three-hour speedboat ride to Isla Santa Cruz, where you'll stay for the night.

Day 9: Transfer to Isla Baltra, Depart

Today you'll bid the Galápagos Islands farewell. If there is enough free time before your transfer to the airport, you could do some last-minute shopping in Puerto Ayora. Pop into Chocolapagos, an artisan chocolate shop that uses 100% Ecuadorian Arriba Cacao. At the Galeria Exotico Ecuador, you can shop for fair trade crafts handmade by local artisans and communities across Ecuador.

When it's time, your driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the Itabaca Channel, where you'll cross on a ferry. For the last part of your trip to the airport, take the public shuttle bus to the airport terminal to catch your return flight to the mainland and onward connection. Safe travels!

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to the Galápagos Islands? Check out these 10-day Galápagos itineraries, with island-hopping cruises, land-based trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.