9 days/ 8 nights, Santa Cruz and Isabela Island

DIVE & RELAX

The island of Santa Cruz is located at the heart of the Galapagos archipelago. It consists of an older lava plateau with a few tuff cones in the northeast and a younger central shield volcano, which rises to a height of 864m. A fascinating geological peculiarity in the highlands of the island is a network of lava tunnels, some of which are several hundred meters long. The island owes its high species richness to the finely graded vegetation zones, which range from the humid-cool highlands to the dry coastal zone. Santa Cruz is the most populated of the islands and the starting point for most day diving tours. The world famous dive site Gordon Rocks can be reached exclusively from there, as well as other wonderful dive sites at Seymour, Mosquera, Daphne, Bartolome, Floreana…

Santa Cruz is connected to Isabela Island by speedboat ferries. With an area of 4588 km2, Isabela is by far the largest of the islands. In total, it extends over 130 km from north to south, directly over the hot spot through which the archipelago was created. Therefore, it is one of the youngest islands and eruptions still occur occasionally today. Its seismic activities are closely monitored. It is home to many unique flora and fauna like Galapagos penguins, marine iguanas, Galapagos giant tortoises, and many marine birds.

Our travel program Dive & Relax combines exciting tours from Santa Cruz and Isabela Island. The diving takes place from Santa Cruz, and on Isabela, snorkeling is planned at one of the best snorkel spots in the archipelago: Los Tuneles, as well as a hike at the crater rim of the huge Sierra Negra volcano.

However, there will also be time for recovery. The village of Puerto Villamil is located directly on a white shell and coral sand beach, the perfect place to unwind.

Day 1

ARRIVAL AND SANTA CRUZ HIGHLAND VISIT

Upon arrival at Baltra Airport (GPS), your naturalist guide will be waiting for you. A short bus ride takes you to the impressive Itabaca canal that connects Santa Cruz Island with Baltra: Sunlit, blue-turquoise waters, roaming pelicans and blue-footed boobies welcome you.

Once on Santa Cruz, your private transport will be waiting to take you towards the always green highlands of Santa Cruz.

The first stop is at the twin craters “Los Gemelos”. These collapsed twin craters were formed when the island was still an active volcano. The area is one of the few where the endemic Scalesia forest is almost intact. Some Finch species and the Galapagos dove live here. Take a deep breath in the humid and fresh air with this unique aroma of the scalesia forest. Take a moment to realize how beautiful and special this place is that you just landed in.

Afterwards you continue your way to one of the ranches where you see the Galapagos Giant Tortoises in their natural habitat. The tortoises do not live there in a fenced area, but ponds in the pastures attract them so that visitors can get a good look at them. A pleasure for people and for animals that can leave the enclosure at any time to continue on their way. Occasionally we also see the native pintail duck as well as owls and coots.

The area where the tortoises live is crisscrossed with underground lava tunnels. These tunnels are formed in the heart of huge lava flows and show you the violence of magma as if frozen in time.

At the end of this exciting entry to your trip, a delicious lunch awaits you with a view of the grazing giant tortoises.

After these first highlights, we head down the southern flank of the island to the coast and Puerto Ayora.

Depending on the time of day, your guide will either accompany you to the dive center to fit the dive gear and get information for the coming days before taking you to your accommodation, or take you directly to your accommodation and you will drop by the dive center in the afternoon.

Good to know

If you will not be arriving until an afternoon flight, or would prefer to have the arrival day off, this tour can also be done as a half day excursion on day 4

Day 2+3

SANTA CRUZ DIVING TOURS

Hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, golden rays, sea turtles and sea lions - float among these and many other majestic creatures on 2 dives per day. Our professional crew will guide you through the day with information and best service above and under water.

Around 8:00 AM you will be picked up for the diving tour. The exact dive sites and corresponding logistics depend on your travel dates. Each operator in the archipelago has an itinerary and schedule set by the Galapagos National Park. If your diving experience does not match the offered dive spots, the program will be adjusted accordingly in its order of the activities. Depending on the dive site, you will be back at the hotel around 3 - 4 o'clock.

Day 4

TORTUGA BAY & LAS GRIETAS - VISITOR SITES AROUND PUERTO AYORA

After 3 well-planned days, this day is at your free disposal. It does not include any program.

Enjoy a relaxing morning, visit the majestic 800m long sandy beach Tortuga Bay to observe wading birds, Galapagos marine iguanas, sea lions, and many other animals, or get to know the coastal zone of Santa Cruz better with a walk to the water-filled rift of Las Grietas for snorkeling. Also an informative visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station with the breeding station of the Galapagos Giant Tortoises might be of your interest.

There are several places worth visiting around our small town, so you are spoiled for choice. A visit to Tortuga Bay beach is free of charge, at Las Grietas and the Research Station, you have to pay USD 10 per person on site for a group tour.

All visitor sites, as part of the National Park, close around 5:00 pm.

Good to know

We will be happy to organize a private naturalist guide for you if you prefer to explore the visitor sites around Puerto Ayora/ Puerto Villamil in company!

Day 5

SANTA CRUZ DIVING TOUR

A final day of diving concludes the first part of your trip.

Once again, around 8:00 AM you will be picked up for the diving tour including 2 dives. Depending on the dive site, you will be back at the hotel around 3 - 4 o'clock.

Day 6

FROM SANTA CRUZ TO ISABELA ISLAND/ VISITOR SITES AROUND PUERTO VILLAMIL

On the 6th day of the trip you take the morning ferry (speedboats only, 07:00 - 09:00 a.m.) from Santa Cruz to Isabela Island.

Your driver picks you up at 06:20 a.m. from the hotel and helps you with the check-in at the main dock. Upon arrival on Isabela, you need to pay a USD 10 fee per person to the municipality of Puerto Villamil, after you see your driver with a sign waiting for your transfer to the hotel.

Isabela probably best represents the ideal of a vacation island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, 1000km away from civilization. Relax on the 5km long dream beach directly adjacent to the village. Marine iguanas bask lazily in the sun, wading birds search for food in the sand, the sound of the waves accompanies you.

Time is at your disposal today. If you already want to explore the surrounding area, we recommend a walk to the crystal-clear water basin Concha de Perla: sea lions, marine iguanas and reef fishes, with a bit of luck also a Galapagos penguin, can be found there! Snorkel fans should carry their equipment.

A longer excursion would lead you to El Muro de las Lagrimas (The Wall of Tears, 5km one way) either on foot or by bike. The wall is a reminder of the time when Isabela was a prison camp. From the path to the wall, there are many nature trails to different lagoons, small beaches and viewpoints.

These destinations are free of charge and easy to undertake. Bicycles can be rented on site, we can also reserve them for you in advance.

Day 7

HIKING AT THE EDGE OF VOLCANO SIERRA NEGRA

The tour begins with a hotel pick-up at 07:30 a.m. and a short 20 min. drive up to the vicinity of the village of Santo Tomás, from where the 16 km long hiking trail starts. The path mainly leads through guava undergrowth and later over lava rock.

Learn from your naturalist guide about the volcanic origin of the Galapagos Islands in general and the volcanic history of Isabela in particular, about recent eruptions, the formation of different lava fields and their mineral composition. The most impressive part of the tour is the view of the crater. If the weather is suitable, the morning fog clears at the beginning of the tour; partly it still covers the steep slopes and flows from the rims into the crater. A fantastic sight; active fumaroles puff steam in the crater floor!

The path is quite wide and not too steep. However, sturdy shoes are a must. Compared to other day tours, this is not a walk, but a hiking tour with faster walking, 16 km (10 miles) in total. Everyone wants a cloudless sky on this tour to enjoy the fantastic view of the crater, but the sun can be very intense, so it is important to bring appropriate sun protection and enough water. A box lunch will be provided by the operator.

The tour ends at around 02:30 PM at the hotel.

Day 8

SNORKELING AT LOS TUNELES (CABO ROSA)

This half day excursion starts in the early morning or around noon with the pick up from the hotel. The 'Los Túneles' visitor site, also known as Cabo Rosa, is located approximately 1 hour by speed boat west of Puerto Villamil on the south coast of Isabela. The geologically interesting formations were formed by lava flows that passed underground creating tunnels, which then collapsed and left these elegant arches over the water.

On the way to the tunnels, you stop at a rock called "La Unión" in the open sea where you can observe pelicans, Nazca boobies, Blue-footed boobies, and sea lions resting on the rock.

The landing for the walk over the arches is dry and and the path is sandy, stony and flat. The water surrounding the arches is crystal clear. You can very well observe the flora and fauna, like an eagle ray elegantly gliding underneath and and coming out on the other side. This rich ecosystem is home to blue-footed boobies, sea lions, golden rays, eagle rays, stingrays, sea turtles, seahorses and starfish.

Snorkeling is also part of the tour and considered as some of the best snorkel experiences in the archipelago. It takes place near the tunnels. The tunnel ecosystem itself is too fragile to allow snorkeling or scuba diving.

The tour lasts approx. 5 hours and ends with the return to the hotel.

Day 9

DEPARTURE DAY

On the last day of the trip you will be picked up from your hotel in the morning and taken to the pier to take the morning ferry from Isabela to Santa Cruz Island. On arrival, your driver will pick you up and take you straight to Baltra Airport (GPS). Alternatively, a short regional flight can take you from Isabela directly to Baltra (GPS).

In any case, it is important to book a return flight to the continent that does not depart too early. Your sales agent will be happy to help you with the exact coordination.

What’s included in our Packages?

Scuba Iguana illustration
Included:
  • 8 nights accommodation with breakfast
  • Professional and bilingual (Spanish/English) guidance from the National Park Galapagos on all tours: PADI instructors for the diving tours and naturalist guides for the land and snorkel excursions.
  • 6 dives on 3 days with complete dive gear
  • Snorkel equipment (mask, snorkel, fins) on the tour to Los Tuneles (Cabo Rosa)
  • Towel service on all tours with activities in the water
  • Hot lunch, snacks and beverages on all full-day tours/ snacks and beverages on half-day tours
  • All transfers (airport hotel/ harbour hotel)
  • Taxes
  • Credit card fees
Not included:
  • Airfare Galapagos Quito/Guayaquil
  • National Park Galapagos entrance fee
  • Transition Control Card (TCT)
  • Lunch on the day off
  • Dinner
  • Dive Computer (not mandatory for day diving tours, all regulators come with a pressure and a depth gauge, the dive guide measures the bottom time, temperature etc. for the group)
  • Tips

Pricing

Pricing plans for the tour package

Standard

From $1,970 /pp

Comfort

From $2,320 /pp

Superior

From $2,610 /pp

*All prices including taxes and credit card fees

Frequently asked questions

Diving in the Galapagos is always great, no matter when you come. Most emblematic animals such as hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, sea lions, sea turtles, rays, are here all year round. In the cold season (June-November) the chances of encountering special animals such as a manta ray or a sunfish on a day dive are better. With a lot of luck a whale shark will swim by. However, the waters are more difficult to dive during the cold season. The warm season (December-May) offers more relaxed diving and better visibility.
Despite its location on the equator, Galapagos has marked seasons due to the influence of different winds and ocean currents. December - May: 70°F/20°C - 80°F/26°C water temperature; the southeast trade winds weaken and the water from the Panama Basin brings warmer and calmer seas; sailing to the dive sites is easier; average visibility is better, around 12m. June - November: 65°F/18°C - 75°F/23°C water temperature; the Humboldt Current typically brings choppy seas and strong surges making sailing times longer; the average visibility drops to about 7m.
An Open Water certification (PADI, SSI, NAUI, BASC, …) is sufficient to participate in our daily diving tours. For the dive site Gordon Rocks we require an additional 25 dives of experience. Some experience in cool and current-rich waters is an advantage (but not mandatory) since water temperatures here are quite low and all dives are drift dives. Divers without Open Water certification can do a Discovery Dive with private guidance at all dive sites except Gordon Rocks.
Yes, if you have at least 18 dives experience, you can have your diving skills evaluated for Gordon Rocks by our guides on a previous dive.
We recommend booking both single day tours and a travel program in advance, as availability may be severely limited a few days or weeks before the planned trip. Boats for day diving tours in the archipelago have a maximum capacity of 12 guests. If you intend to come during the high season (Easter, July/August, Christmas/New Year) or as a group it makes sense to contact us up to 1 year in advance, otherwise 6-3 months is sufficient to find flexible availability.
On each day diving tour, the last dive ends around 01:00 PM. PADI recommends 18 hours between diving and flying. As the first flights depart quite late in the morning, it is usually no problem to fly the day after diving. Night dives are not possible the day before a flight.
Yes, we give a discount of USD 20/ day diving tour for bringing complete private equipment (wetsuit, BCD, regulator, mask, and fins (boodies)). Please note that our tanks have YOKE connections; if you have a DIN regulator, you should also bring an adapter. The use of reef hooks is prohibited at all dive sites.
No, photos are not necessarily included. We want our guides to be able to concentrate fully on safe and good diving without the pressure of documenting the dive. However, the guides have private cameras which they are free to use as they think is fit. Whether the photos are made available for free afterwards or can be purchased for a few extra dollars is also at the decision of the respective dive guide. We allow our guests to take their own small camera on the tour. However, they must stay with the dive guide and follow the pace of the group. Guests who wish to concentrate on photography and may bring their (professional) camera equipment will require a private dive guide.
Our groups have a maximum of 5 divers/guide. Every day we try to divide the groups as much as possible into more experienced divers and less experienced divers. However, depending on the participants, it is difficult to do this very strictly, i.e. there can be quite a difference in diving experience within the group. If you, for example, have a lot of experience (200+ dives) and want to ensure an uninterrupted dive, there is the option of hiring a private guide. Likewise, if you are a beginner who is not confident enough in his/her diving skills, a private guide or an assistant can be hired.
Yes, you may book private guidance. We differentiate between an assistant/divemaster who helps you with diving in the group (for example in case of difficulties with pressure equalization or boyancy control) and a private dive guide/instructor who helps you if necessary but above all with whom you can dive independently of the group. An assistant costs USD 120/ day diving tour and a private guide USD 180/ day diving tour.
There are basically two possibilities: One is to add a couple of day diving tours before or after the cruise, which in most cases is the easier and more affordable option. The other is to include a diving day during the cruise, which means we pick you up from the cruise ship and drop you off there after diving. Whether and how this is possible depends on various factors, especially the itinerary of the cruise. This boat-to-boat option is almost exclusively possible as a charter booking.
No, these dive sites are too far away from any inhabited island to be reached on a day diving tour. Darwin and Wolf can only be visited on an 8 day/7 night dive liveaboard cruise.
There are no day diving tours from Santa Cruz to Isabela Island. It is possible to dive from Puerto Villamil/ Isabela Island, but we cannot recommend it and do not sell it.
Our team is happy to receive recognition for their work, of course. We recommend between 5-20 USD/tour as a tip. The money in the box is shared by all crew members. If you would like to thank a specific person, please put the money directly in their hand. However, it should be noted that no one has to live off the tips.

Meet our sales team

All locals, all divers and with many years of experience in the tourism business in Galapagos.

  • Lisa

    Sales Agent

  • Jessica

    Sales Agent

  • Sabine

    Sales Agent

  • Virginia

    Sales Agent

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