Boat and Highland Day Trips Around Puerto Ayora
Choosing a day trip by what you want to see
Boats from Puerto Ayora reach several protected islands. All of them depend on a licensed operator and a naturalist guide, since visitor sites in the national park are guide-only. Match the trip to the animals you care about.
Birds: North Seymour
Licensed yachts take day visitors to North Seymour, home to frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies. Stay 2 m back from the birds and leave the flash off.
Penguins and a famous rock: Bartolomé
Bartolomé means a long boat ride. The landing features Pinnacle Rock and penguins. Ask your operator how much walking is involved if mobility is a concern.
Iguanas on land: South Plaza and Santa Fe
South Plaza is known for yellow land iguanas and its sesuvium ground cover. Santa Fe has endemic land iguanas and snorkelling bays. Both are visited on a guided yacht day.
Another island entirely: Isabela
Speedboats cross to Isabela in about 2 hours, at USD 25 to 35 a seat. Plan for a departure around 07:00, with another reported at 14:00 (older sources say 15:00), and be at the dock 30 minutes early for luggage inspection. Because the return takes another 2 hours, most travellers treat Isabela as an overnight stay. Non-nationals also pay a separate USD 10 visitor fee on Isabela. Take seasickness tablets, because open-sea speedboats can pitch.
Staying on Santa Cruz
You can fill a half day without leaving the island:
- Tortuga Bay. The walk is about 2.5 km along a paved path and takes 30 to 45 minutes each way, with sign-in at the park booth. Playa Mansa, the calm bay, is about 20 minutes beyond Playa Brava, where swimming is not allowed.
- The highlands. El Chato and Rancho Primicias are 30 to 45 minutes from the pier by road. They are open roughly 08:00 to 17:30 daily, with entry at about USD 10 with a guide.
Time and money
| Trip | Getting there | Typical constraint |
|---|---|---|
| Island yacht day | licensed yacht from the pier | book ahead through an operator |
| Isabela | speedboat, about 2 hours | tight in one day |
| Tortuga Bay | walk or water taxi (about USD 10) | open about 06:00 to 18:00 |
| Highlands | road, 30 to 45 minutes | muddy paths |
The park entry fee is currently USD 200 for most foreign adults, paid in cash on arrival, and tours are priced separately. Check the park’s official schedule for current amounts.
Check current government advice before travelling. The islands lie outside the mainland areas named in UK advice for Ecuador .
Read more: multi-day trips in Puerto Ayora and attraction tours in Puerto Ayora .
Sources: Park rules and the Governing Council . Browse trips on Viator .