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Pinnacle Rock and the twin bays of Bartolomé
Tour finderUpdated listings Updated Nov 6, 2026

Galápagos day tours, compared

Every day trip on GetYourGuide from the four inhabited islands, sorted by what you actually want to see.

  • 30day tours compared
  • $41cheapest, per person
  • 3trips with penguins
  • 4islands to start from
Photo: David Broad, CC BY 3.0

Short answer: book boat day trips (Bartolomé, North Seymour, Santa Fe, Isabela, Kicker Rock, Los Túneles) before you fly, because each boat takes a small group and the park limits visits. Land tours to the giant tortoises and Las Grietas can wait until you arrive.

Find your tour

30 tours shown

Ratings, review counts and prices as GetYourGuide showed them on 2026-11-06 (prices shown in Thai baht, converted at the ECB rate of 2026-11-05, rounded up). Partner links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Disclosure

Which day trip for which animal

You wantBest day tripFrom
PenguinsTintoreras islet or Bartolomé (penguins at Pinnacle Rock)Isabela / Santa Cruz
Blue-footed boobies nestingNorth Seymour, Los Túneles, TintorerasSanta Cruz / Isabela
Snorkel with sea turtles and white-tip sharksLos Túneles, Kicker Rock, PinzónIsabela / San Cristóbal / Santa Cruz
Land iguanas and sea lionsSanta Fe, South PlazaSanta Cruz
Giant tortoises in the wildSanta Cruz highlands (half day)Santa Cruz
Waved albatross (about April to December)EspañolaSan Cristóbal
FlamingosFloreana, Isabela wetlandsSanta Cruz / Isabela

Which animal is where, and in which months: the Big 15 wildlife bingo card. When the sea is calmest: month by month.

How Galápagos day trips work

  • Every boat trip has a licensed naturalist guide. Most visitor sites in the national park can only be visited with one, which is why you cannot just rent a boat.
  • Boat trips start early in the morning from the town pier. Snorkel gear, lunch and hotel pickup vary by operator, so read each listing for what is included.
  • The sea can be rough, above all on the long runs to Bartolomé, Isabela and Española. Our seasickness meter shows which crossings are worst.
  • Island-hopping days count twice: a day trip to Isabela and back from Santa Cruz spends about four hours on the boat. Staying two nights on Isabela is often the better plan. The itinerary planner works that out for you.

More ways to book

Every Galápagos listing on GetYourGuide

Day trips, multi-day tours and ferry seats.

 Galápagos tours on Viator

Many of the same operators, sometimes at a different price. Compare before you book.

 Bartolomé on Viator

Bartolome day tour.

 Multi-day packages on TourRadar

All the day trips bundled with hotels and ferries.

 North Seymour on Viator

North Seymour day tour.

Updated 2026-11-06. Fees, boat times and prices change, so confirm with the operator before you travel.