Snorkeling in Galápagos: your options
Most snorkeling here happens on a guided boat trip. You sleep in Puerto Ayora, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno or Puerto Villamil and go out for the day. The trips differ in length, price and what they include, so check whether the offer is a snorkel stop, a landing with a walk, or both.
Prices below are examples as of 2026, per person, and an offer does not show free seats on your date. Weather and sea state limit which sites a boat can reach.
Our picks: snorkelling trips
Our take: Pinzón and Santa Fe are full boat days from Puerto Ayora; Los Túneles is the half-day choice from Isabela.
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.
Pinzón and La Fe snorkelling day
- Speedboat both ways
- Snorkel gear and long wetsuit
- Lunch and snacks
A full snorkelling day by speedboat with a briefing the night before, a long wetsuit and lunch.
Check availability →Santa Fe Island snorkelling day
- Speedboat both ways
- Snorkel gear and long wetsuit
- Lunch
A speedboat day to Santa Fe with snorkel gear, a long wetsuit and lunch.
Check availability →
Los Túneles snorkelling at Cabo Rosa
- Hotel pick-up
- Snorkel gear and wetsuit
- Packed lunch
Five hours from Isabela by boat with hotel pick-up, a guide, snorkel gear and a packed lunch.
Check availability →Galápagos snorkeling tours and day trips
Day trips with snorkeling stops from Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal and Isabela, with live prices and availability.
Snorkeling day tours compared
Adult prices as of 2026. Duration is the whole tour, not time in the water.
| Tour | Starts from | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tintoreras, boat, walk and snorkel | Isabela | 3 hours, morning or afternoon | $60 |
| Isla Lobos, hike and snorkel | San Cristóbal | 4 to 5 hours | $138 |
| Los Túneles | Isabela | 5 hours, departures at 07:00 or 11:00 | $140 |
| Santa Fe | Santa Cruz | Varies by offer | $140 to $180 |
| Pinzón | Santa Cruz | About 8 hours 30 minutes | $150 to $288 |
| Kicker Rock (León Dormido) | San Cristóbal | 6 to 7 hours | $169 |
| Española, hike and snorkel | San Cristóbal | 8 to 9 hours | $259 |
| Plaza Islands | Santa Cruz | Varies by offer | $230 to $370 |
For most visitors with a few days, Tintoreras on Isabela is the cheapest first outing, and Kicker Rock from San Cristóbal is the most popular full day. Confirm in advance whether a trip includes a landing, a snorkel stop or both. For the Plaza Islands, ask the operator to confirm the landing.
Where to snorkel
The main sites and what they involve.
Kicker Rock (León Dormido)
The two rock towers off San Cristóbal are one of the standard snorkel day trips. Both names are used for the same trip, so do not count them as two tours. More on the island is in the San Cristóbal guide.
Los Túneles and Tintoreras on Isabela
Both are boat trips from Puerto Villamil. Tintoreras is a short 3-hour outing with a walk. Los Túneles is a 5-hour trip with set departure times. See the Isabela guide for the rest of the island.
Pinzón, Santa Fe and the Plazas
These are day trips from Santa Cruz. The snorkel and landing content differs from offer to offer, so read the description before you book.
Las Grietas
A water-filled rock fissure near Puerto Ayora. A water taxi costs about $1 each way, the entry is about $10, and the guided visit takes around 45 minutes. Las Grietas needs a reservation through a registered agency and is not a guide-free site.
Concha de Perla on Isabela
Access is without a guide or extra entry fee. The rules can change, so ask at your hotel before you go.
Tortuga Bay on Santa Cruz
Playa Mansa is the swimming and snorkeling area. Playa Brava, the open beach, is not open for swimming because of currents. See the beaches guide.
Water, marine life and safety
What to expect, with no promises about a single trip.
Water temperature
Water runs 20 to 26 °C from December to May and 18 to 23 °C from June to November. Site, depth and year change this a lot. Ask your operator what gear is included.
Marine life
Sea lions are present around San Cristóbal and North Seymour, but no tour guarantees a species. Galápagos penguins live here all year and can be seen near Bartolomé, though not on every tour.
Keep your distance
Stay at least 2 m from animals, including under water, with your camera too. Never touch, chase or feed an animal. The full list is on the rules page.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen with oxybenzone or octinoxate is restricted for water activities in the protected area. Choose a different product and take all rubbish back with you.
Swimming ability
No tour is promised to have weak currents. Tell the guide how well you swim before the boat leaves.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where snorkeling fits.
Galápagos snorkeling: frequently asked questions
Can I snorkel in Galápagos without a tour?
In a few places, yes. Tortuga Bay on Santa Cruz is open to individual travelers, and Concha de Perla on Isabela is accessible without a guide. For most sites you need a guide and an approved boat.
How much does a snorkeling tour cost?
The examples above run from $60 for Tintoreras on Isabela to $259 for Española, per person, as of 2026. Santa Cruz day trips to the Plazas can reach $370. Prices vary by provider.
Where is the snorkeling good?
That depends on your base. Kicker Rock is the most popular full day from San Cristóbal, Los Túneles and Tintoreras suit Isabela, and Pinzón and Santa Fe are options from Santa Cruz. There is no single top site.
Is the water cold?
It can be. Water runs 18 to 23 °C from June to November. Ask what equipment comes with your trip.
Do I pay the park fee on top of the tour price?
The park fee is charged separately on arrival. See the entrance fee page for the 2026 amounts.