Guided tours of the Galapagos Islands
There are so many things to see and do in the Galapagos Islands that it can be difficult to decide exactly what you want to do. Many people, especially those concerned about their legs in the sea, find that a good option is to take a tour of the island in the hope of extra luxury.
Apart from the price, one of the advantages of staying on land is enjoying the other facilities on offer, such as the hotel pool, or the many cafes, bars and restaurants on Santa Cruz Island. This island is stunning and you can discover things like beautiful beaches or mountain bike trails for your stay – Tortuga Bay, named after the sea turtles, is a brilliant place.
All accommodation is located on the island of Santa Cruz, separate from the airport, so it is advisable to book your hotel in advance, which usually means that it includes airport pickup and drop-off, saving you the hassle of getting to your hotel .
It is also possible to book a hotel with no added extras and then organize your day trips from Puerto Ayora, the main town on the islands. There are numerous companies that offer tours, but check what they offer before you book.
Some of these come with English-speaking guides and lunch, so keep your eyes peeled. When considering travel, also take into account travel time from Puerto Ayora.
North Seymour and Plaza Islands are relatively close and between the two it is possible to see numerous playful sea lions, colorful land iguanas, blue footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and magnificent frigate birds.
Santa Fe Island is also a good option and is home to an endemic species of land iguana. You can also see colonies of sea lions along with lava lizards. Arguably the most iconic place to view the Galapagos landscape is the Bartolomé summit; Island.
Although the trail to the top is quite steep, the views across the volcanic landscape to the sea and Pinnacle Rock are worth the effort. There are great snorkelling opportunities to see the penguins and sea lions swimming here. Also, you can see reef sharks in this area.
The Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island is a must-see, home to many giant tortoises, including the famous Lonesome George. On the way to or from the airport it is also possible to stop at the Twin Pit craters, formed over a long time due to the slow subsidence of the ground. Here you can see Scalesia trees, ferns, mosses and orchids.