Many Galápagos Islands tours take place on cruise ships, offering familiar meals and time to snorkel. However, we reckon there's so much that travelers miss out on.
We take a different approach.
By island hopping, you spend more time on land, where the Galápagos truly comes to life. You walk the trails, linger at wildlife sightings, and connect with the people who call these islands home. Instead of watching from a distance, you experience the Galápagos up close, with more freedom, more variety, and a deeper sense of connection to the place itself.
Galápagos Island Hopping, 'Active' Style
Smaller footprint, more flexibility
Our style of Galápagos Islands touring is known as 'Island hopping', so we use smaller boats to journey between each Island and also between some of the very best diving and snorkeling spots. Having a smaller boat is not only friendlier for the environment and marine life, but it also enables us more maneuverability.
Each night we stay on land, in locally-run, comfortable lodgings and here you get to experience laid back 'island life' - play volleyball with the locals at Beto's Bar and watch the kids surf along the gorgeous coastline. Our travelers often comment how glad they were to have chosen a land hopping adventure tour over alternative options.
"We saw so many unique animals up close! Our group was small and our guide was beyond helpful."
— Rebecca, guest on the
Classic Galápagos Islands Adventure
A better cultural immersion
Our approach has always been to immerse ourselves in the local community and in the Galápagos Islands, that's no different. We're very lucky to have a team on the ground in San Cristobal, so around the clock we have a connection with the local people. We hire the very best naturalist guides, most of whom were born and have grown up on the various Islands, and we run a 10-day trip called the 'Ultimate Galápagos Islands Adventure,' that blends the iconic experiences on and in the ocean, with the lesser-known, but equally impressive land-based activities.
An array of wildlife
The animals of the Galápagos Islands are a must-see. You can swim with seals, socialize with marine iguanas and see some of the most amazing birds on the planet, like the blue footed boobie which is always a favorite! Plus, heading inland and staying the night on land means you'll see even more incredible wildlife of the islands. Like the giant tortoise, short-eared owl, the Galápagos hawk and even the funny lava lizards who love a good push up contest!
Written by the Active Adventures team, drawing on 30+ years of experience guiding travelers through wild, beautiful places.
