Tours and Attractions on Santa Cruz Island
Tour options at a glance
The Galápagos National Park covers over 97% of the archipelago’s land, and its protected visitor sites are open only to people with an authorised naturalist guide. That shapes how tours work around Puerto Ayora: you pick a licensed operator, not a trail. The table lists the main attraction tours from town.
| Tour | What it covers | Cost and timing |
|---|---|---|
| Highlands | El Chato and Rancho Primicias reserves, lava tunnel, Los Gemelos craters | about USD 10 reserve entry; 30 to 45 minutes by road each way |
| Bay tour | Academy Bay from the municipal pier | set by the operator |
| Las Grietas | guided visit with snorkelling | about USD 10 plus USD 1 to 2 water taxi; about 1.5 hours |
| Tortoise Route | breeding center beside the research station | about USD 10 with a guide; 08:00 to 16:45 |
| North Seymour | frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies | licensed yacht day tour; price set by the operator |
| Isabela | day trip by speedboat | about 2 hours each way |
Notes on each tour
Highlands. The reserves sit next to each other on the road to Santa Rosa. Wild tortoises roam the paths, so stay 2 m back. Lava tunnels are part of the visit, and boots are often lent for the muddy paths. You can turn up without booking, but a tour handles the transport. Los Gemelos, the twin craters, lie beside the highway.
Bay tour. The Tour de Bahía leaves from the municipal pier. It is a short way to see the harbour from the water.
Las Grietas. Entry is guided only, so book through a licensed operator. The site may be capacity-limited. Follow your guide’s instructions at the site.
Tortoise Route. The breeding center is a separate Park Directorate site beside the research station, so it has its own fee and hours. At the end is the Symbol of Hope room, where the preserved remains of Lonesome George are displayed. Please keep your voice down there.
North Seymour. A naturalist guide goes with every licensed yacht. Stay 2 m away from the birds and switch the flash off.
Isabela. The crossing is about 2 hours each way, so a same-day return is tight. Many visitors stay overnight instead. The speedboat is an open-sea boat and can be rough.
Before you book
- Compare what each operator includes, such as gear, meals and transfers.
- Park entry, currently USD 200 for most foreign adults and paid in cash at the airport, is separate from tour prices. Check the park’s official schedule.
- Bring small US bills.
- Wear reef-safe sunscreen and leave single-use plastics behind.
- Check current government advice before travelling. The islands lie outside the mainland areas named in UK advice for Ecuador .
Read more: sightseeing in Puerto Ayora and day trips in Puerto Ayora .
Sources: Charles Darwin Foundation and Park rules . Browse tours on GetYourGuide .