How island hopping works
Island hopping means sleeping in the towns of different islands and moving between them by public speedboat or small plane. The network has three main ports: Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz, Puerto Villamil on Isabela and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal. Santa Cruz is the hub. There is no direct regular speedboat between San Cristóbal and Isabela, so that trip means changing boats at Santa Cruz.
A crossing takes about 2 to 3 hours, plus time at the dock and in the swell. As of 2026 a regular tourist fare is about $50 and a special service about $65, and some sellers charge $55. From each base you add day trips by boat, so a land trip can be built without a cruise.
Our picks: island hopping packages
Our take: seven days cover San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz and Isabela; five days focus on Isabela and Santa Cruz; four days stay on Santa Cruz with full board.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Seven-day island hopping with hotels
- Six hotel nights with breakfast
- Inter-island speedboats
- Guided tours with gear
Six hotel nights with breakfast, the public speedboats between islands and guided trips such as Kicker Rock and Sierra Negra; flights and the national park fee are extra.
Check availability →
Five days on Isabela and Santa Cruz
- Baltra airport transfer
- Ferries between islands
- Four hotel nights
Four hotel nights, the ferries, a certified guide and set meals, with Tintoreras, Tortuga Bay and the Darwin Station; flights are extra.
Check availability →
Four days on Santa Cruz with full board
- Three hotel nights
- Full board
- Baltra transfers
Three nights in a hotel with a pool, full board, a naturalist guide and Las Grietas, the highlands and Tortuga Bay; flights and the national park fee are extra.
Check availability →Galápagos tours from each island
Day trips from Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal and Isabela, with live prices and availability.
Ferry example departures
Example timetable with prices as of 2026. Times change, so check the current timetable before you go.
| Route | Departures | Arrival | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz to Isabela | 07:00 and 15:00 | 09:45 and 17:45 | $55 each |
| Isabela to Santa Cruz | 06:00 and 15:00 | 08:45 and 17:45 | $55 each |
| Santa Cruz to San Cristóbal | 07:00 and 15:00 | 09:45 and 17:45 | $65 and $55 |
| San Cristóbal to Santa Cruz | 07:00 and 15:00 | 09:45 and 17:45 | $55 each |
Regular tourist fares are about $50 and the special service about $65, while some sellers charge $55. Treat every number as an example and confirm before you pay. Water taxis at the docks cost about $1 per ride, or $1.50 on Isabela. Isabela also charges a municipal entry fee of $10 for foreign visitors.
Ferry or plane
Both are options between the islands.
| Speedboat ferry | Inter-island flight | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | About 2 to 3 hours per crossing | Check the airline's schedule |
| Price in 2026 | $50 to $65 per crossing | Check the airline |
| Luggage | Check with the ferry operator | 15 lb on the standard fare and 25 lb on the optimal fare |
| Network | Santa Cruz, Isabela, San Cristóbal | Baltra, San Cristóbal, Isabela |
| Seasickness | Rough swell possible | No sea crossing |
For most travelers the ferry is the practical choice because it links the three towns and fits normal luggage. Choose the plane if you want to avoid the sea crossing, and check the baggage limit before you book.
Hotels by location
Pick the island by what you want to do, not by a hotel name.
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz
The research station exhibition is in town, and the highlands ranch is outside it. It is the base for North Seymour, Bartolomé, Pinzón and Santa Fe day trips, and the hub for onward ferries.
Santa Cruz →Puerto Villamil, Isabela
The base for Los Túneles, Tintoreras and the Sierra Negra volcano hike, and for wetland and bird walks close to town.
Isabela →Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristóbal
The day base for Kicker Rock, Isla Lobos and Española. The airport is on the same island, so no channel crossing is needed on arrival.
San Cristóbal →For more on rooms and areas, see where to stay, and for a sample plan see the itinerary page.
Island hopping planning
Where to go next.
Galápagos island hopping: frequently asked questions
How much does the ferry between islands cost?
As of 2026 a regular tourist fare is about $50 and a special service about $65. Some sellers charge $55. Confirm the price and timetable when you buy.
Can I go straight from San Cristóbal to Isabela?
There is no regular direct speedboat. You travel via Santa Cruz and change boats, so allow a full day. A flight is the other route.
How early should I buy ferry tickets?
Buy at least 2 days before and arrive 1 hour before departure. It is advice, not a legal deadline.
Can I visit Española or Isabela without a cruise?
Yes. Española is a day trip from San Cristóbal, about $259 as of 2026. Isabela is on the ferry network and has its own flights.
Do I pay extra fees on the islands?
Isabela charges a municipal entry fee of $10 for foreign visitors. Water taxis cost about $1 per ride. The national park fee is paid on arrival and is separate. See the park fee page.
Is galapagos-islands.org a ferry operator or an official site?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the website of the Galápagos National Park Directorate, the Government of Ecuador or any cruise line, and it is not connected to any tour operator or hotel.