Short answer: with a week, stay 4 nights on Santa Cruz and 2 on Isabela: two boat day trips from Puerto Ayora (North Seymour, Bartolomé), then Los Túneles on Isabela. With 10 days add San Cristóbal. Fewer than 5 days? Stay on one island and use day trips: every island change costs half a day on a boat.
Build your plan
Santa Cruz → Isabela · 7 days · 3 booked tours
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Arrive at Baltra, transfer to Puerto Ayora Santa Cruz
Bus, channel ferry and bus or taxi to town (about an hour). Afternoon: giant tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station, a short walk from town.
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North Seymour boat trip Santa Cruz
Blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds and land iguanas along the trail, then a snorkel stop.
Book: North Seymour: Day Tour with Wildlife Walk & Snorkeling · 4.4 ★ (14) · from about $484 on GetYourGuide
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Bartolomé and Pinnacle Rock Santa Cruz
The classic view from the summit and a snorkel with a chance of penguins.
Book: Bartolome Day Tour for Penguin Snorkeling · 4.6 ★ (18) · from about $496 on GetYourGuide
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Ferry to Isabela Isabela
Morning speedboat (06:00, 14:00), about 2 hours. Afternoon in Puerto Villamil.
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Los Túneles Isabela
Lava arches, blue-footed boobies nesting, and a snorkel with turtles and sharks.
Book: Los Túneles: Snorkel with Sharks, Seahorses & Sea Turtles · 4.9 ★ (15) · from about $221 on GetYourGuide
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Ferry to Santa Cruz Santa Cruz
Morning speedboat (05:00, 14:00), about 2 hours. Afternoon in Puerto Ayora.
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Fly home from Baltra Santa Cruz
Allow about an hour from Puerto Ayora to Baltra, plus the check-in time.
How the planner decides
- Santa Cruz is the hub. Every ferry runs to and from Puerto Ayora, and most boat day trips leave from there, so it gets the most nights.
- At least two nights per island. A ferry day leaves only the afternoon, so one night is not worth the crossing.
- You end where your flight leaves. No early-morning ferry on the day you fly.
- Ferry times are the departures the ticket sellers offered for December 2026: ferry board.
Ready-made itineraries
One base, the best day trips. For a short trip or a cruise add-on.
7 daysSanta Cruz and Isabela: boobies, Pinnacle Rock, Los Túneles.
10 daysThree islands, fly in and out of different airports.
Sources: Galápagos National Park and Governing Council. Every figure with its document: facts and figures.
Updated 2026-11-06. Fees, boat times and prices change, so confirm with the operator before you travel.