Best Galapagos Islands Tours & Trips

The Galapagos are an archipelago of volcanic islands 563 miles west of continental Ecuador known across the world for their weird and wonderful endemic species. The marine iguana and Galapagos giant tortoise often steal the spotlight, but the Magnificent frigatebird, Blue-footed booby, and Galapagos fur seal are equally fascinating. Besides animal-watching, which will take up a good portion of your time, snorkeling is also a popular activity and brings you much closer to the adorable seals and sea turtles. If a close encounter with a marine iguana is not your cup of tea, observe from afar on one of the many Galapagos cruises offering a more pampered Galapagos Island tour around the islands.
Show All
2 Results
Filters
Places
Dates & Length
12-Day Ecuador and Galapagos Islands Tour from Quito: Tena, Baños, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island, San Cristobal Island | 11 Breakfasts, 6 Dinners
Operated by Contiki
Highly Recommended
4.2 (29 reviews) Tour Code: 714906
Start / End City
Quito
Duration
12.0 Days
City & Attractions
Quito, Tena, Baños +3 more
Languages
English Live
Group Type
Standard Group Tour
From
$3,694.50
10-Day Galápagos Islands Hopping Tour from Quito: Reina Silvia Voyager Cruise + Diving | Small Group Tour
5.0 Tour Code: 25420
Start / End City
Quito
Duration
10.0 Days
City & Attractions
Quito, Puerto Ayora, Galapagos Islands +13 more
Languages
English Live
Group Type
Small Group Tour
From
Live

Make Galapagos Tours your Natural Selection for the Trip of a Lifetime!

Explore the Highly Protected Natural Landscapes of the Islands

Galapagos Islands Cruises

Galapagos Islands Travel Guide

Santa Cruz Island

Baltra

Genovesa Island

Explore the Highly Protected Natural Landscapes of the Islands

There is a vibrant but controlled tourist industry on the Galapagos Islands. You can be sure that while your Galapagos Islands tour will be filled with many of the wonders that still amaze scientists today, the fragile ecosystem will be vigorously protected. This is done to ensure that the legacy of the Galapagos can endure.

Galapagos Islands Cruises

The Galapagos Islands themselves can be quite rugged but your trip there doesn’t need to be! Galapagos travel often includes luxurious Galapagos Island cruises aboard world-class deluxe yachts with all the comforts you need. Imagine enjoying cocktails on board with the crew as the stars twinkle in an awesomely clear night sky.

Choose from a variety of Galapagos cruises and your tour package will include staying in your own private room with private bathroom. The cruises bundle in tasty daily meals plus arrange for guided tours to the sites on your itinerary. Complimentary airport pick-up and drop-off are also normal features of Galapagos vacation packages.

Galapagos Islands Travel Guide

A look at a Galapagos Islands map reveals that the archipelago is actually made up of 13 large islands and 6 small isles. Nature watching in the Galapagos is as much about what can be seen on the land as it is about what lies in the pristine waters of the Pacific Ocean. Many tourists come to Galapagos to go snorkeling and scuba diving as a way to encounter the islands’ colorful marine wildlife. Here are just a few of the amazing islands you'll encounter on your Galapagos tour.

Santa Cruz Island

This is the main island with the highest concentration of the population. On Santa Cruz, you can visit the Charles Darwin Station which has a fascinating turtle breeding area. The station also provides a wealth of information on Galapagos Island ecology and efforts to preserve it.

Also in Santa Cruz, is world renowned Tortuga Bay where you will find one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Visitors are often treated to sightings of white tip sharks, turtles, Blue Heron and pelicans.

Many tourists visit the other islands on day trips from Santa Cruz Island.

Baltra

Home to both a military base and an airport where Darwin finches, lava lizards and land iguanas are commonly seen. While on Baltra, one must-see location is Las Bachas Beach. Relax on the white sandy beaches and keep an eye out for migratory birds such as pink flamingos or get an up close look at a turtle nesting area.

Genovesa Island

This is a definite stop on every Galapagos Island tour itinerary. Genovesa has the largest red-footed boobie bird colony of all the islands. There is also a wide array of Darwin finches, as well as great frigate birds, short-eared owls and swallow-tailed gulls.

This island is a nature photographer’s dream come true! The stark and breathtaking volcanic landscape features shades of green, black and red that seem to shimmer in the light.

Walk along an enchanting crescent-shaped beach that is bathed in hues of pink and white sand. Hike up to Bartolome’s summit for panoramic views of the island and its surrounding waters. Wildlife here includes Galapagos penguins, sea turtles and sea lions. Plus, the island is a fantastic and favorite snorkeling spot to view a wide variety of fish and other marine life.

Best Time to Visit Galapagos Islands

Winter 2026/2027
Winter marks the return of the warmer season: air temperatures rise back into the high 20s °C (upper 70s to mid 80s °F), and sea temperatures climb toward 24-26 °C (75-79 °F). Rainfall increases compared with the dry months, though showers are typically short and interspersed with bright sun. Wildlife is compelling: green sea turtles arrive on beaches across islands like Gardner Bay (Española) or Punta Cormorant (Floreana) to nest; land iguanas and marine iguanas engage in mating and nesting; giant tortoise egg-hatching begins in highlands of Santa Cruz through to April. Calm seas and warm water make this a fabulous season for snorkelling and kayaking around iconic sites such as Bartolomé Island or the coral-rich bays off Isabela. This season tends to attract holiday bookings (especially December-January), so early reservations are wise.
Show All
Spring 2026
In spring the Galápagos Islands emerge from the peak of their warm-and-wet phase into a vibrant transition. March still brings tropical sun and occasional downpours, with air temperatures around the upper 20s °C (upper 70s to low 80s °F) and sea temperatures near 25 °C (77 °F). By April and May rainfall begins to taper, vegetation remains lush, and the landscape feels fresh and green. Wildlife is buzzing - green sea turtles are hatching, land iguanas and giant tortoises are active, and on islands such as Española Island the courtship of waved albatrosses is in full swing. This means excellent snorkelling around sites like Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela) where penguins may still pop up alongside tropical fish, and gentle hikes in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island are rewarded with giant tortoises and blooming vegetation.
Show All
Summer 2026
Summer ushers in the archipelago’s cooler, drier “garúa” season, although thanks to the equatorial latitude extremes are modest. Expect air temperatures around the low to mid-20s °C (low 70s °F), with sea temperatures dropping into the low 20s °C (mid-70s to low-70s °F). Wildlife highlights include the nesting of giant tortoises down from highlands to lowlands on Santa Cruz, active sea lion pups along the central islands, and excellent bird-watching as blue-footed boobies, flightless cormorants and lava lizards display mating rituals across sites such as North Seymour Island and Fernandina Island. Trekking the cool misty highlands of Santa Cruz feels fresh and breezy while days on the coast remain dry and comfortable. For marine-life enthusiasts this period is ideal for spotting schooling hammerhead sharks and whale sharks around Wolf Island and Darwin Island - though strong currents demand experience.
Show All
Autumn
Autumn in the Galápagos continues the cool-dry regime but gradually transitions toward slightly warmer waters and calmer seas by November. In September and October air temperatures are typically in the low to mid-20s °C with sea temperatures still in the high teens to low 20s °C (mid-60s to low-70s °F); by November things ease back toward 23-24 °C (73-75 °F). Marine life remains abundant: this is peak territory for underwater encounters as nutrient-rich currents draw in pelagic species - divers will find exceptional experiences at Wolf and Darwin. On land, sea lions are giving birth, blue-footed boobies are rearing chicks, and there’s strong bird activity around islands including Española and Isabela. Snorkelling conditions begin to recover as seas smooth out and visibility improves into late October-November.
Show All

Reviews for Galapagos Islands Tours

Z
12-Day Ecuador and Galapagos Islands Tour from Quito: Tena, Baños, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island, San Cristobal Island | 11 Breakfasts, 6 Dinners

This was a perfect blend of culture and nature! Our guide in Quito was fantastic—taking us to the local handicraft market and teaching us about Ecuadorian traditions. The BBQ dinners were a delicious way to end our days. Snorkeling and hiking in the Galapagos were exhilarating!The tour covered so much ground in just 12 days; I felt like I truly experienced the essence of Ecuador. Highly recommend to anyone looking for adventure!

Show All

Save up to 50% on tours

Sign up for our newsletter to get exclusive access to members only deals by email.