The Best Snorkelling Spots in The Galapagos Islands

Snorkeling sites in the Galapagos

Each day of a Galapagos safari holiday is an adventure that shines a new light on the natural world of the islands. Our day trips to the neighboring uninhabited islands are excursions that explore both land and sea, giving you the best of both worlds.

In the dry season, between July and December, the cooler waters from the Humboldt Current spark an upturn in marine activity, making snorkeling an exciting part of each trip. Keep reading for some of the sites you can visit during your time at the camp, taking the plunge and delving into the fascinating world beneath the sea.

Bartolome Island

Bartolome is an island of contrasts; the barren volcanic landscape is juxtaposed by the startling amount of marine life under the waters surrounding Pinnacle Rock. Penguins, sea lions, white-tipped reef sharks, and rays hold court amid schools of angel, parrot, unicorn, and surgeon fish.

North Seymour Island

A short trip to the north of Santa Cruz, the small island of North Seymour is home to sea lion, blue-footed booby, and frigate colonies. Off the shores and underneath the surface lie green sea turtles, golden and spotted eagle rays, eels, and on occasion, hammerhead sharks.

Isabela Island-Tintoreras and Los Tuneles

Isabela Island is one of our extensions available during a safari holiday with the camp. It’s the largest of the islands, and its waters are cooler than the rest of the archipelago year round. During the dry season, whales and dolphins are in residence off of the western shores.

Las Tintoreras, a short boat ride from the town of Puerto Villamil, is the place to see white-tipped reef sharks, from land and sea. Other creatures that wait under the clear water include penguins, sea turtles, marine iguanas, and sea lions.

Los Tuneles

Los Tuneles, an hour west of Puerto Villamil, is a playground for visitors and animals alike. Under the lava bridges that straddle the water are giant sea turtles, sea horses, and a bevy of white-tipped sharks. The presence of colorful schools of fish in the shallow waters also attracts penguins, which dive off of the bridges for food.

Punta Carrión

Located at the eastern mouth of the Itabaca channel between Baltra and Santa Cruz Islands, Punta Carrión is the first stop on our day tour to South Plazas Island. The site is one frequented by live aboard dive cruises. The reefs off of the rocky shores attract an incredible amount of fish, sharks, and rays. The area is also known for sea lions, which play in the waters next to travelers in the water.

A Galapagos safari holiday gives guests at the camp the chance to experience the astounding wildlife of the islands, on land and below the sea. For more information about our custom trips, contact a member of our staff through this site or our toll-free number.