Galapagos by Kayak

*Please note that the following information is meant to provide a general overview of your tour. The specifics of your trip will be contained in a pre-trip letter you will receive prior to your confirmed departure.

Important Trip Details:

MEETING PLACE: Guayaquil International Airport.
ARRIVAL TIME: Any point on day one of your trip itinerary. 
TRIP MILES: Varies depending on group size, weather and kayaker's abilities
TRIP LENGTH: 9 days
AGE LIMIT: Minimum age is 12+ years
BOAT TYPE: Sea Kayak
NEAREST AIRPORTS: José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE)

8-Day Beaches and Bays Tour – Sample Itinerary

Explore the southern and central Galápagos on this 8-day/7-night adventure, discovering wildlife-filled bays and beaches. Encounter blue-footed, red-footed, and Nazca boobies at Punta Pitt, snorkel with sea lions at Gardner Bay, and hike through volcanic landscapes on Santa Cruz Island. Throughout the journey, you'll learn about the fascinating natural history of the Galápagos Islands and the cultural heritage of their human inhabitants.

Day 1: Sunday – Arrival in San Cristóbal & Kicker Rock

Arrive in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal Island, where your guide will meet you and transfer you to the yacht. After a safety briefing and cabin assignment, enjoy a buffet lunch while meeting your fellow travelers.

Set sail to Kicker Rock, an ancient volcanic formation shaped over thousands of years. We’ll circumnavigate this famous landmark, a top snorkeling destination in the Galápagos.

In the evening, enjoy a cocktail reception and a multi-course meal, then join your guide on deck for stargazing in the southern skies.

Accommodations: Aboard the Origin, Theory, or Evolve Yacht
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Monday – Cerro Brujo & Punta Pitt

Start the day with a Zodiac ride to Cerro Brujo, home to brown pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and brown noddy terns. Learn about Galápagos bird life and unique geological formations like "Darwin’s Pants".

Afterward, explore a coral sand beach at your leisure—go for a stroll, try paddleboarding, kayaking, or swimming with sea lions. If you’re new to snorkeling, this is a great practice opportunity before venturing into deeper water.

After a barbecue lunch on the yacht, we’ll hike at Punta Pitt to spot blue-footed, red-footed, and Nazca boobies, as well as frigatebirds and swallow-tailed gulls. Later, snorkel among colorful fish before returning for dinner.

Accommodations: Aboard the Origin, Theory, or Evolve Yacht
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Tuesday – Española Island: Punta Suarez & Gardner Bay

Arrive at Punta Suarez on Española Island, home to endemic species such as Darwin’s finches, hood mockingbirds, and the waved albatross (April–December). Marine iguanas bask on the volcanic rocks, while red-billed tropicbirds soar overhead.

Enjoy lunch on deck, including an Ecuadorian ceviche demonstration.

In the afternoon, visit Gardner Bay, where you can observe a sea lion colony, snorkel, kayak, or paddleboard. Look for Española mockingbirds, Galápagos hawks, and Darwin finches.

Accommodations: Aboard the Origin, Theory, or Evolve Yacht
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Wednesday – Floreana Island: Punta Cormorant & Post Office Bay

Start the day at Punta Cormorant, home to sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and pink flamingos. Walk to a brackish lagoon to spot Bahama ducks and Galápagos flycatchers, then continue to a beach where sea turtles nest. Snorkel at Devil’s Crown, a sunken volcanic crater filled with colorful fish and coral.

After lunch, visit Post Office Bay on Floreana Island and take part in a centuries-old tradition—leaving a postcard in a barrel for future travelers to deliver.

End the day with a Zodiac excursion to Baroness Point, where you may spot sea turtles and rays. Tonight’s onboard party is pirate-themed—dress-up optional!

Accommodations: Aboard the Origin, Theory, or Evolve Yacht
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Thursday – Santa Cruz Highlands & Charles Darwin Research Station

Arrive in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz’s main town, and travel into the highlands to visit lava tunnels, twin craters, and a ranch where giant tortoises roam freely. Some weigh over 500 pounds!

After lunch, visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you’ll learn about tortoise conservation, including the stories of Lonesome George and Diego, the tortoises that played crucial roles in species survival.

Enjoy free time in Puerto Ayora to visit local shops and cafes. Guests may dine ashore at a restaurant or return to the yacht for a multi-course meal.

For those interested, join the "Green Team" for a reforestation project by planting a tree.

Accommodations: Aboard the Origin, Theory, or Evolve Yacht
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Friday – Bartolome Island & Optional Excursions

Choose between:

• A challenging hike on Bartolome Island, learning about its volcanic formations and enjoying spectacular views.
• A Zodiac ride to see Galápagos penguins.

Snorkel off the beach alongside tropical fish and white-tipped reef sharks.

After lunch, your next stop depends on the yacht:

• Origin: Explore Sombrero Chino to observe sea lions, marine iguanas, and oystercatchers.
• Theory: Visit Playa Las Bachas, home to flamingos and interior lagoons.
• Evolve: Take a Zodiac ride through Black Turtle Cove, spotting sea turtles and golden rays.

Accommodations: Aboard the Origin, Theory, or Evolve Yacht
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Saturday – South Plaza & North Seymour Island

Begin the day at South Plaza, a small islet replanted with opuntia cactus to support native wildlife. Look for swallow-tailed gulls, shearwaters, and red-billed tropicbirds, plus a bachelor sea lion colony.

After lunch, cruise to North Seymour Island, home to frigate birds with their inflated red chest sacs. Spot great and magnificent frigate birds and learn how to distinguish them.

After a final snorkel session, the captain and crew will toast to the journey with a farewell champagne celebration, followed by a special dinner onboard.

Accommodations: Aboard the Origin, Theory, or Evolve Yacht
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Sunday – Interpretation Center & Departure

After breakfast, visit the Interpretation Center on San Cristóbal Island, where you'll learn about the human history of the Galápagos. Enjoy a short walk before transferring to the airport for your return flight to mainland Ecuador.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Travel to Guayaquil: 

The simplest way to get to Guayaquil is to connect through one of several US cities, including NYC, Atlanta, Houston, Miami and Fort Lauderdale, which all offer direct flights to Guayaquil. 

Airport Transfer Upon Arrival: 

Arrival airport transfer is included in your package price. Please provide your international flight information and we will arrange to provide transportation to your hotel in Guayaquil, where the tour officially begins. If you have arranged extra hotel nights or extensions to your trip at the tail end of the trip, you will need to arrange your own transportation. The hotels we use offer complimentary shuttle services, and taxis are available in abundance at the airport. 

Click Here to Access Our Helpful Weather and Wildlife Guide

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

Here at Sea Kayak Adventures our first and foremost goal is for you to have an enjoyable and safe experience. While most of our trips are suitable for beginners, some of our trips are more active than others and it’s important that you understand the physical requirement of the trip you choose. 

All of our trips are active adventures that involve some level of physical exertion and possible exposure to the elements including but not limited to wind, rain, heat, sun, cold temperatures and cold water conditions.  Sea Kayak Adventures is able to accommodate people with physical limitations, disabilities and medical conditions; please speak with your Adventure Consultant if you think you will require any additional assistance while on the trip.  We ask that you consult your Doctor if you have health or medical conditions that could impact your ability to participate in an active and outdoor adventure.  In general, all trip participants must be able to do the following:  

• Wear all protective and safety equipment that are required by Sea Kayak Adventures and recommended/required by industry wide standards.
• Load and unload, on their own or with the aid of a qualified companion, the bus and/or van providing transportation for Sea Kayak Adventures activities.
• Reach the water access points (put-in and take-out) on their own, or with the aid of a qualified companion.
• Enter and exit a raft, kayak and/or inflatable kayak on their own or with the aid of a qualified companion.
• Remain seated and balanced in a floating raft, canoe, kayak or inflatable kayak w/ the aid of adaptive equipment, if necessary.
• Float on their back when entering moving and still water.  The participant must be capable of turning from face-down to face-up in the water with the aid of a Personal Floatation Device and must be able to hold their breath while under water.
• Remain calm and keep breathing under control in the event of a swim.
• Climb into the kayak, with the help of another person, should an involuntary swim happen at any point on the water.
• Make progress toward the shoreline or a boat by swimming in moving water and must be able to exit the water and ascend the shoreline once reached.
• Participate as an active paddler when instructed by the guide for the duration of trip. 
• Move about the campsite on their own or with the aid of a qualified companion on all trips that include overnight camping and/or lunch.

PHYSICAL PREPAREDNESS

Whether you are an avid sea kayaker, or it is your first time, you’ll enjoy these incredible trips, and share in our passion for adventure, commitment to conserving the environment, and relishing unique experiences. For those new to the sport, kayaking is easy to learn in the sheltered waters that we visit, and we provide all of the camping gear, kayaking equipment and guidance needed. In addition, we keep our groups small to allow you to not only travel intimately among nature, but to ensure you receive the necessary attention from our guides.

Essentials

• Money belt to carry your passport, travel documents and money, concealed under your clothes.
• A copy of passport, air tickets placed elsewhere in luggage.
• $200 for adults, $100 for childresn 11 years and under, cash for Galapagos National Park fee.
• $20 cash for Isabela Arrival Tax per person
• Cash for gratuities (see more information below)
• A credit card that works internationally
• Watch or small travel clock with alarm.

*Sea kayak Adventures are best enjoyed if you travel light. For Galapagos trips pack as lightly as possible. 

Clothes

• One pair long, lightweight, nylon pants with zipper pockets.  Zip off legs give you more options.
• One other comfortable pair of pants or skirt  (One of these first two items is worn on airplane)
• One pair nylon shorts (that double as a swimsuit for the guys.)
• Swimsuit for gals
• Two t-shirts or polo shirts
• One pair light weight pajamas
• One short sleeve button-up shirt -  nylon or poly/cotton
• One long sleeve shirt for sun protection1.   You can buy tight-weave nylon shirts with 30 SPF protection made by companies such as Columbia, etc. Sun protection is essential and the equatorial sun is intense and reflected by sky and water.
• One long sleeve button up shirt for town – light poly/cotton (pack in a ziplock bag to minimize wrinkles if you care).
• One light fleece or polyester sweater or jacket for warmth in the evenings and mornings
• Three or four pairs underwear.
• One wide-brim, tie-on hat – floppy nylon is ideal as it packs well. A baseball cap & bandana also works.
• One lightweight raincoat – like a windbreaker that has some waterproof qualities.
• Three pair light nylon or cotton socks, (one thicker pair cotton for the Volcano hike)
• One pair sandals with ankle straps to wear while kayaking, on the beaches, walking around towns, etc.  Chaco is our preferred brand, but Teva and others make these.
• One pair sturdy tennis shoes, or running shoes, to use for the volcano hike and for other times when you want to wear something other than the sandals.  Most people would find hiking boots unnecessary, but if you prefer them, or need extra ankle support, then a lightweight pair may be appropriate.
• Water Gear
• One pair of paddling gloves.  If your hands are prone to blisters. Cheap, fingerless bike gloves work great.
• One lycra “rash guard” shirt adds to the warmth and ease of getting your wetsuit on and off but is not essential

*If you wish to borrow snorkel, fins, mask and/or wet suits, please let us know and it can be provided at no additional cost.

Camping Gear

• One flashlight.  The nicest kind is a headlamp. Extra batteries and bulb.
• One wide-mouth water bottle.
• Small towel for camping. Beach towels are available on the snorkel boats.
• One bandana for sun protection and cooling off.
• Toilet Kit
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap (Ivory or biodegradable are best*)
• General hygiene products & shaving essentials
• Heavy duty skin lotion for dry, sun-baked and salted skin,
• Chapstick/ lip balm with sunscreen.
• Medications - (Dramamine-motion sickness, Benedryl -allergic reactions. See below.)
• Prescription Medications
• Small squeeze bottle of hand-sanitizer gel
• Sewing Kit (optional)

*Under our Park Service permit we are not allowed to use any soap in the sea.  At camp you can use soap to wash your face, hands, etc. and we have a bucket where we store this soapy water.

 Miscellaneous

• Bug Spray or Lotion – Guests have experienced a higher than normal presence of mosquitos while at camp recently. It is highly recommended that you have plenty of bug spray, preferably with some DEET. In addition, Insect Shield is a company that will treat your selected items of clothing to be insect-repellent up to 70 washes. While the cost can add up, a treated long-sleeved shirt and pair of pants may go a long way towards ensuring your maximum comfort during the camping portion.
• Reef safe sunscreen (we highly recommend Stream2Sea as a reef safe option)
• Lip balm with SPF 20-50
• Sunglasses - Good ones that will protect your eyes from the sun and the reflection off the water. Polaroid lenses offer great marine wildlife viewing.
• Headstrap for glasses and sunglasses – Chums, Croakies or similar.
• Extra pair of sunglasses and glasses.
• Small container of clothing detergent – If you want to do some laundry in your hotel room.  Just 3-4 oz of powdered kind.  (Optional – soap and shampoo work too).
• Four or Five white 11-gallon kitchen garbage can liners - for wet clothes, dirty shoes etc.  These are quite useful.
• A few 1-gallon ziplock bags – for packing sunscreens, lotions or anything that might make a mess.
• Camera, video camera, film or memory cards and extra camera batteries – No Flash Photography allowed on the Islands.
• A waterproof camera or GoPro is great for snorkelling
• Small waterproof camera box like the Pelican brand.  ROW provides a soft dry bag for daytime essentials and your camera can go in this but it is not as secure as a box.
• Binoculars – optional but nice for bird watching, dolphin or whale watching, etc.
• Optional - Female urinary device (allows women to urinate standing up without removing clothing). Silicon or hard plastic ones work great. Popular name brands include Gogirl and Shewee.
• Books, pen and note pad, deck of playing cards or other games, etc.

Recommended Galapagos Reading List

• Agee, P. (1989). Inside the company: Cia Diary. Bantam Books.
• Andrews, M. A. (1986). The flight of the Condor. Collins.
• Collier, J., & Buitrón Aníbal. (2013). The awakening valley: A photographic record of the indians of the otavalo valley in Ecuador. Literary Licensing.
• Constant, P. (2007). Marine Life of the galápagos: A diver's guide to the fishes, whales, dolphins and marine invertebrates. Cordee.
• Corkill, D., & Cubitt, D. (1988). Ecuador: Fragile democracy. Latin America Bureau.
• Emmons, L. H., & Feer, F. (1990). Neotropical rainforest mammals: A field guide. University of Chicago.
• Ferreiro, Larrie D. (2013). Measure of the Earth: The Enlightenment Expedition That Reshaped Our World. Basic Books,
• Fitter, Julian, et al. (2016). Wildlife of Galápagos. Princeton University Press.
• Forsyth, A., Miyata, K., & Landry, S. (1995). Tropical nature: Life and death in the rain forests of Central and South America. Simon & Schuster.
• Frazier, C., & Secreast, D. (1985). Adventuring in the Andes: The Sierra Club Travel Guide to Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, the Amazon Basin, and the Galapagos Islands. Sierra Club Books.
• Grubb, K. G. (1930). Amazon and Andes. Mathuen & Co. Ltd.
• Harris, M. P. (1992). A field guide to the Birds of Galapagos. HarperCollins.
• Hassaurek, F., & Gardiner, C. H. (1967). Four years among the Ecuadorians. Southern Illinois University Press.
• Hickman, C. P. (1998). A field guide to sea stars and other echinoderms of galápagos. Sugar Spring Press.
• Horwell, D., & Oxford, P. (2005). Galápagos wildlife: A visitor's guide. Bradt Travel Guides.
• Hurtado, O. (1980). Political power in Ecuador. Routledge.
• Jackson, M. H. (1993). Galapagos, a natural history. University of Calgary Press.
• Kricher, J. C. (1999). A neotropical companion: An introduction to the animals, plants, and ecosystems of the New World Tropics. Princeton University Press.
• McIntyre, L. (1988). The incredible Incas and their timeless land. Nactional Geographic Society.
• Meisch, L. (1987). A Traveler's Guide to el dorado & the inca empire. Penguin Books.
• Michaux, H. (2001). Ecuador: A Travel Journal. Marlboro Press/Northwestern.
• Miller, T. (2017). The panama hat trail. The University of Arizona Press.
• Mitchell, A. (1986). The enchanted canopy. Macmillan.
• Morrison, T. (1974). Land above the clouds: A survival special on South American wildlife. A. Deutsch.
• Morrison, T. (1977). The Andes. Time-Life Books.
• Ridgely, R. S., & Greenfield, P. J. (2001). The birds of ecuador. A field guide. Christopher Helm.
• Schofield, E. K. (1984). Plants of the Galápagos Islands: Field Guide and Travel Journal. Universe Books.
• Treherne, J. E. (2011). The Galapagos Affair. Vintage Digital.
• Weiner, J. (1994). Beak of the finch: A story of evolution in our time. Vintage Books.
• White, A., & Epler, B. (1986). Galapagos Guide.
• Whymper, E. (1990). Travels amongst the Great Andes of the equator. Murray.
• Wittmer, M., & Antonio, M. W. J. (2010). Floreana. Editorial Galápagos.

Galapagos by Kayak Pre-Departure Packet - Includes reading list, information on extensions, packing, money information and more. 

Galapagos Islands Weather Forecast - Check the local weather before you go. 

Trip Adviser - Read reviews from past guests. 

Galapagos Unbound Website - Here you can find information on other Galapagos tours and mainland Ecuador extensions. 

Quito Tourism Guide - Learn more about the UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Creature Feature: Giant Galapagos Land Tortoise - Learn about one of the most fascinating creatures you will see on your trip!

Food in the Galapagos: 7 Must Try Dishes - Get your tastebuds excited for the adventure ahead

Top 6 Places to Sea Kayak for Whale Watching and Wildlife Viewing - See why the Galapagos Islands are a great destination for sea kayaking with whales.

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