Top Things to do in Galapagos Islands
Countries
10 Free Things to do in Galapagos Islands That You Shouldn't Miss
Abundant wildlife above and below the waves draws eco-tourists to Ecuador's Galapagos. Get up close on a stroll or in a Zodiac boat. Snorkel and dive with denizens of the deep, from sea lions to sea turtles at Santiago's Cousin's Rock. Hike by finches, flamingos and iguanas along the Darwin Trail. Admire Sierra Negra Volcano on Isabela. As visitor numbers are limited within the islands' National Park, book your boat tour through a tour operator. Visit January through April for the best snorkeling.
Restaurants in Galapagos Islands
1. Puerto Chino Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 324 reviews
Reviewed By CherieC72 - Sydney, Australia
My husband and I have recently returned from a trip to the Galapagos Islands. The day that we went China Beach on San Cristobal, it was spectacular. Blue sky, perfect small waves, fabulous water temperature and super white sand. It was gorgeous. Coming from Australia where we have amazing beaches, this certainly compared to them. Unfortunately we had no wildlife around on our day, but that didn't spoil it for us. From the car park, I think it is about a 10 - 15 minute walk to the beach along a path where you can see many different cactus. We LOVED it. The only negative for me, is that there is no shade on the beach. I am very fair and really need to try and stay out of the sun if and when possible. However, I did my best to stay protected and we both loved. Take plenty of water and snacks. Enjoy.
2. Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 252 reviews
Reviewed By ChrysalisTravel
Galapagos tortoise breeding center that rescues and raises hatchlings and keeps them in a safe, protected environment for several years until they are old enough to release and have a much better chance at survival in the wild. Monday mornings is feeding day -- enjoy seeing many tortoises together as they come in for nutritious taro leaves.
3. Las Grietas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,453 reviews
Reviewed By F336MVjohnd
From Puerto Ayora, take an 80-cent water taxi to Finch Bay, and then a walk past the German beach to get to this strikingly beautiful volcanic fissure that has connected out to the ocean... so it's also a great place for a swim. The water is cold... so you won't regret a wet suit. And do wear the snorkel mask as the view underwater is remarkable, and there are some interesting fish to see as well. The thing to be careful of here is that there are several pools separated by some very sharp and VERY slippery rocks. You CAN cross over them, but my wife and I each got several scrapes and bruises in the process. Also, there is no "life guard on duty". There is a guide who you sign in with at the top of the fissure... but if you need help it will be 10-15 minutes away, so do be careful if you venture past the first pool.
4. Concha de Perla
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 943 reviews
Reviewed By StorkRN1 - Roseville, United States
Our tour group of 3 went snorkeling here late morning and it was fantastic! You have to walk over marine iguanas and sea lions on the boardwalk to the cove! Not super clear water like in Hawaii, but once I got used to it, I saw more and more! We saw sea turtles, bat rays, tons of fish, chocolate chip sea stars, a sleeping marble ray, about 60 black-tipped reef sharks, hundreds of sardines/mackerels(?), marine iguanas swimming (which is really cool to watch), and sea lions swimming with us! Amazing! I had a free afternoon the next day and went back. It was a little choppier, but still saw quite a bit! Didn't see nearly as much in the other 3 spots I snorkeled in the Galapagos as I did here!
5. Galapagos Beach at Tortuga Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,398 reviews
Reviewed By carlosvelascoteran
We went to Tortuga Bay on 2/21/2020. Day was sunny, warm. We walked from Puerto Ayora to Tortuga Bay, which by itself is a nice experience, looking at trees, iguanas and birds. We then got to the area of Tortuga Bay, which by itself has 3 separate segments, Playa Brava, Playa Mansa, and a small lagoon formed by a reef protecting it from the Playa Brava. The experience of swimming around iguanas and small "tintoreras" (sharks) was unbelievable. Water was refreshing. Birds were majestic. We have visited many places in the world, this was one of the best we have seen, highlighted by the successful way in which nature has been protected by the Ecuadorian government.
6. El Garrapatero
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 691 reviews
Reviewed By cesarmantillaand2018 - Quito, Ecuador
Accesible through paved road and pathway (rode a bike from Puerto Ayora). Top notch kayak and snorkeling equipment rental . Kayaking was great, through calm bay, to three other nearby beaches. Saw lots of sea turtles, marine iguanas, small bullsharks and lots of birds.
7. La Loberia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 497 reviews
Reviewed By myom624 - Coquitlam, Canada
After about a 10-minute walk along the seaside trail from the entrance area was arriving at this crescent-shaped beach just with a "moderate length" of about 300 meters (or just about 200 meters of it in a crescent preceded by about 100 meters of a straight line) where unfolded in front of my eyes was an estimate of about 15 adult sea lions (& may be about the same number of tiny young ones) mostly on the sand but also some in the water, and yes that "amazing spectacle" (without exaggeration since it was really pretty much the "next-to-best" scene featured on my Galapagos tourist card which features a number of sea lions on the long Tortuga Bay beach on Santa Cruz which I found in reality was just with iguanas and no sea lions at all) was what made my "day trip" to this island "absolutely worthwhile" (and that despite a pretty limited time of only about 6 hours spent on the Island before returning to Santa Cruz); also quite enjoyable at this beach site apart from seeing the sea lions was the wide-open sea view (although this beach being nowhere in comparable length to the Tortuga Bay beach on Santa Cruz & the "long beach" on Isabela), and yes it's actually from the trail to it than from the beach itself I would say that the sea view is a "more mesmerizing" one (with also a "high ridge" at some distance seen past the water). Leaving Santa Cruz at about 6 45 am on the boat LP Andy II (a round trip ticket of about 70 US$ which you can just get on like the day before from the ticket office near the pier on the "west end" of Ave. Charles Darwin) for about a 2.5-hour ride with my arrival time shortly after 9 am at the boat dock of this island, it was also pretty easy to find a taxi on the waterfront street for just a 5-to-10-minute ride to this beach site (actually only after breakfast at a 2-storied restaurant just across the street from the boat dock). And with only somewhat over an hour spent at this site (won't need much more at this relatively small beach unless you plan to swim), I walked about 40 minutes back to the town's waterfront passing by: this island's airport (which is right alongside the "solitary road" leading from this site shortly after leaving), the nice "street art scenes" (featuring some Galapagos animals & such) along a street section, the big fish statue (a marlin or such with a long snout) at a small roundabout where nearby is also a playground with a big "bronze sea lion", and the sizeable "name sign" of this island (a beautiful one if you look closely with each letter kind of "artistically designed") which is displayed right on the waterfront. And yes, back on the waterfront with still about 2 hours to spend before the "return boat" at 3 pm, it was a nice time spent watching the boats in the water & the sea lions on shore (including those among the rocks around the boat dock where actually I saw just about the same number of them as had been seen at this beach site).
8. Maki-Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
Art Gallery Comercializes fine latin american art 100% handmade and fair traded
Reviewed By Q4776EIelizabethb
Except for tee shirts at the airports, this was the only place that I bought souvenirs. Handmade bags, tiny sculptures, and beautiful handmade jewelry, all reasonably priced. And, there was much more, but that was just what I bought!
9. Playa Mann
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 224 reviews
Reviewed By duhoz - Beroun, Czech Republic
One of my favorite beach even it is not spectacular beach as the others. The reason is that early morning, while being alone on the beach and in the sea I got chance to swim with juvenile sea lions who came to me to play with me . The day before they came to try me shoes. Unforgettable experience. The beach very clean, with plenty of shade, with showers, toilets and restaurant.. Also some street-food stalls nearby, Sea water clear, on low tide be aware of some stones or rocks. Apart from sea lions plenty of crabs, iguanas and fishes can be spotted here. It is easy – minutes walk from down town.
10. Tagus Cove
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By pfefmeister - San Francisco, United States
This location provided a lovely hike up to Darwin Lake as well as close up views from the panga of dramatic rock formations. Lots of blue-footed boobies embedded in the rocks. Rich in wildlife along with a calm anchorage, this was one of my favorite stops on Isabella Island.
