Top Things to do in Galapagos Islands
The 10 Best Nature & Parks in Galapagos Islands, Galapagos Islands
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. Wolf Island
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Only inhabited by sea birds, this isolated island features quiet waters in its bay (formed by the island’s caldera), which makes it a great place for underwater diving and snorkeling.
2. 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!
3. 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.
4. Darwin Island
5. Sierra Negra
6. Darwin & Wolf Islands
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50 reviews
Wolf and Darwin Islands, sometimes called Wenman and Culpepper, are two eroded volcanos located on a volcanic ridge.
Reviewed By J5694RXleer
My wife and I dove here in September 2020 on a 7-day liveaboard named the Humboldt Explorer. Darwin and Wolf Islands offer some of the best diving money can buy. While the wildlife sightings can certainly change from dive to dive, we saw whale sharks on nearly every dive at Darwin, hundreds of hammerheads, dolphins, sea lions, and a staggering abundance of fish. I myself am a marine biologist in the Caribbean and my wife is a SCUBA instructor, so we've spent quite a lot of time in the water...these were some of the most memorable and remarkable dives we've done. If you're a diver, I cannot recommend diving here enough. The amount of life and beauty of these places is incredible. That being said, this diving isn't for the beginner diver. Expect variable currents, thermoclines, variable visibility, and potentially rough conditions during pickup/dropoff. As for the Humboldt Explorer, their operation was top notch. I believe this was the first charter they've run since March 2020, due to COVID. Our guides, Jorge and Daniel were absolutely fantastic, bilingual and extremely knowledgeable about the wildlife. The panga drivers were incredibly talented and some of the most competent boat drivers I've ever encountered. The rest of the crew and chefs were also fantastic, friendly, and helpful. We felt very safe with regard to COVID and to overall safety during dives and time on the boat. Honestly, we were expecting that there would probably be a couple hiccups along the way, being the first charter they've run since March due to COVID, but there wasn't a single one. Simply, Humboldt Explorer is top notch operation that made it possible for us to have some of the best dives in our lives. I want to especially thank Jennifer, Jorge's wife, who helped us tremendously in order to get us to the Galapagos so we could do the charter. She helped set up/provide information to get the required COVID tests in Guayaquil prior to traveling from there to the Galapagos. Her recommendations for places to stay, things to do, and just her overall kindness truly made our trip possible. It would have been far more difficult for us to visit the Galapagos as smoothly as we did, with the COVID requirements/restrictions/closures, without her help. You saved our trip. A profound thank you!
7. 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.
8. 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!
9. Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 252 reviews
Reviewed By ChrysalisTravel
Galapagos tortoise breeding center that rescues and raises hatchlings and keeps them in a safe, protected environment for several years until they are old enough to release and have a much better chance at survival in the wild. Monday mornings is feeding day -- enjoy seeing many tortoises together as they come in for nutritious taro leaves.
10. 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.
