Top Things to do in Galapagos Islands
10 Things to do Good for Couples in Galapagos Islands That You Shouldn't Miss
Abundant wildlife above and below the waves draws eco-tourists to Ecuador's Galapagos. Get up close on a stroll or in a Zodiac boat. Snorkel and dive with denizens of the deep, from sea lions to sea turtles at Santiago's Cousin's Rock. Hike by finches, flamingos and iguanas along the Darwin Trail. Admire Sierra Negra Volcano on Isabela. As visitor numbers are limited within the islands' National Park, book your boat tour through a tour operator. Visit January through April for the best snorkeling.
Restaurants in Galapagos Islands
1. North Seymour Island
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 312 reviews
Reviewed By 555tanaw - Kennewick, United States
This was the first stop on our Galapagos trip and it was great! Lots of blue footed boobies with their chicks, frigate birds, sea lions galore as well as a ton of iguanas. Well worth the visit!
2. Rabida Island
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By 75steven - New Hartford, United States
Beautiful island with flamingos in brackish ponds, incredible red sand beaches and gorgeous views of Darwin Lake. Remnants of old volcanoes are evident in this centrally located (amongst all the islands).
3. Santiago Island
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By HarryR140 - Ramat Hasharon, Israel
We had two stops on the Western coast of Santiago Island: Buccaneer's cove and Puerto Egas. The former provides great snorkelling amidst the rocks and caves that used to serve as pirate home. The latter hosted an ill-fated attempt to create a salt mining business. Now it is home yellow land iguanas, impressive in their ugliness.
4. Isabela Island
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 82 reviews
Reviewed By pfefmeister - San Francisco, United States
Our yacht - Anahi - went around this lovely island from Puerto Ayora, up the west side, around the top, and back. Just an over the top varied selection of wildlife, with great hiking and snorkeling options along the way. Once you leave Puerto Viliamil, you leave civilization, with zero cell service until you return to Baltra. The further up the west coast of Isabella you go, the less ships you encounter, since it becomes too far to go for the day trippers. Make sure the boat you choose does the western route. The ride was also less choppy than trying to get to the further islands across the open ocean.
5. Sierra Negra
6. Puerto Chino Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 324 reviews
Reviewed By CherieC72 - Sydney, Australia
My husband and I have recently returned from a trip to the Galapagos Islands. The day that we went China Beach on San Cristobal, it was spectacular. Blue sky, perfect small waves, fabulous water temperature and super white sand. It was gorgeous. Coming from Australia where we have amazing beaches, this certainly compared to them. Unfortunately we had no wildlife around on our day, but that didn't spoil it for us. From the car park, I think it is about a 10 - 15 minute walk to the beach along a path where you can see many different cactus. We LOVED it. The only negative for me, is that there is no shade on the beach. I am very fair and really need to try and stay out of the sun if and when possible. However, I did my best to stay protected and we both loved. Take plenty of water and snacks. Enjoy.
7. Parque Nacional Galapagos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 103 reviews
The Galapagos National Park Directorate works to promote sustainable tourism in protected areas of Galapagos with a regional perspective, that ensures the conservation of ecological integrity and biodiversity of the archipelago and to contribute to an equitable socioeconomic development and solidarity of the local population.
Reviewed By SteveRainville99 - Orlando, United States
We had an incredibly awesome 4 days roaming the national park, as the wildlife is abundant, and all the cool birds flying around. Iguanas, Sea Lions, and Blue Footed Bobbies were my wife and I's favorites!
8. Las Grietas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,453 reviews
Reviewed By F336MVjohnd
From Puerto Ayora, take an 80-cent water taxi to Finch Bay, and then a walk past the German beach to get to this strikingly beautiful volcanic fissure that has connected out to the ocean... so it's also a great place for a swim. The water is cold... so you won't regret a wet suit. And do wear the snorkel mask as the view underwater is remarkable, and there are some interesting fish to see as well. The thing to be careful of here is that there are several pools separated by some very sharp and VERY slippery rocks. You CAN cross over them, but my wife and I each got several scrapes and bruises in the process. Also, there is no "life guard on duty". There is a guide who you sign in with at the top of the fissure... but if you need help it will be 10-15 minutes away, so do be careful if you venture past the first pool.
9. Concha de Perla
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 943 reviews
Reviewed By StorkRN1 - Roseville, United States
Our tour group of 3 went snorkeling here late morning and it was fantastic! You have to walk over marine iguanas and sea lions on the boardwalk to the cove! Not super clear water like in Hawaii, but once I got used to it, I saw more and more! We saw sea turtles, bat rays, tons of fish, chocolate chip sea stars, a sleeping marble ray, about 60 black-tipped reef sharks, hundreds of sardines/mackerels(?), marine iguanas swimming (which is really cool to watch), and sea lions swimming with us! Amazing! I had a free afternoon the next day and went back. It was a little choppier, but still saw quite a bit! Didn't see nearly as much in the other 3 spots I snorkeled in the Galapagos as I did here!
10. Galapagos Beach at Tortuga Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,398 reviews
Reviewed By carlosvelascoteran
We went to Tortuga Bay on 2/21/2020. Day was sunny, warm. We walked from Puerto Ayora to Tortuga Bay, which by itself is a nice experience, looking at trees, iguanas and birds. We then got to the area of Tortuga Bay, which by itself has 3 separate segments, Playa Brava, Playa Mansa, and a small lagoon formed by a reef protecting it from the Playa Brava. The experience of swimming around iguanas and small "tintoreras" (sharks) was unbelievable. Water was refreshing. Birds were majestic. We have visited many places in the world, this was one of the best we have seen, highlighted by the successful way in which nature has been protected by the Ecuadorian government.
