Today's excursion takes you from the island of San Cristóbal to the famous Leon Dormido.

An impressive rock formation towering 150 meters above the Pacific Ocean, León Dormido hosts a tropical underwater playground in the narrow channel between the two rocks. From a distance, locals thought they saw a sleeping lion in the rock formation, while, from the other direction, the British saw a boot.

Whether a lion or a boot, the tropical birds at home on León Dormido don't seem to mind. Blue-footed boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, and frigatebirds regularly enchant visitors with their daring flight maneuvers, as they hunt and socialise around this ancient volcanic cone.

In the 19 meters between the surface and the seabed, León Dormido offers snorkelers and divers a dazzling array of sealife. White tip reef sharks, Galapagos sharks and even hammerhead sharks are often spotted darting between eagle rays and sea turtles.

Beach visit

In the afternoon you can relax and enjoy the beautiful beach, with the provided packed lunch.

The excursion includes only snorkeling. Please choose the diving package during the reservation process. Diving is only possible on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday!

Additional Information

Requirements for diving in the Galapagos:

• Certification from an internationally recognized diving school (PADI, NAUI, CMAS, SSI etc.).
• Complete and signed application form.
• Medical certificate for health problems as well as divers from the age of 55 who have not been diving in the last 6 months.
• Approved divers must be at least 13 years old and must not have exceeded the age of 70.

IMPORTANT NOTES: The route may be changed by order of the Galapagos National Park or due to force of nature.

 Accommodation: Casa Iguana Mar y Sol (or similar) 

In the morning transfer from San Cristóbal to Santa Cruz by speedboat.

Santa Cruz Island is the geographic and tourist center of the Galapagos. The town of Puerto Ayora on the island’s southern shore is the starting point for island-hopping trips, and with its charming hotels, restaurants and bars, it is a good place to stay. It is also home to the world-famous Charles Darwin Station. Visitors to the island will find white sandy beaches, six vegetation zones, twin craters, a lava tunnel, free-ranging giant tortoises and much more. 

Accommodation: Hotel Fiesta (or similar)

Galapagos PRO recommendation: This trip should not be missed in your Galapagos experience. Groups of 5 or more require the accompaniment of a nature guide when visiting the National Park.

Mockingbird songs fill the air and scurrying lava lizards cross the path to the sandy beach. On the shore, marine iguanas sun themselves along the peninsula of black lava. Blue-footed boobies rule the shoreline. At the end of the beach you will find a quiet bay where you can swim and even borrow a kayak to get closer to the big stingrays and sea turtles.

Opening hours Tortuga Bay: 6 am - 5 pm daily

Please note: You must register your visit with the park ranger at the entrance. It is not allowed to spend the night on the beach. Please don't forget to sign out at the end of your visit.

 Accommodation: Hotel Fiesta (or similar) 

One of the smallest and most colourful islands in the archipelago, Plaza Sur, or 'South Plaza' in English, is just a short sail from Santa Cruz. Reaching dry land, you will come across some of the islands friendly sea lions, one of the many types of animals in South Plaza for you to discover.

Wander with your small group by the nesting places of swallow-tailed gulls, audubon shearwaters, red-tailed tropicbirds, masked boobies and frigatebirds. The entire island is covered with dense sesuvium plants. From June to November, during the colder and drier season, the plants turn a deep red color which gives the island a dramatic, fascinating atmosphere. Watch the iguanas searching high up in the opuntia trees for fruit - a sight you'll never see anywhere else in the world.

After lunch on board the ship in Punta Carrion, you have the opportunity to jump into the cool water. The northeast coast of Santa Cruz is mainly known for its Whitetip reef sharks, as well as sea turtles and colorful tropical fish which you can spot while snorkeling near the shore.

After an eventful day, you will reach Puerto Ayora in the late afternoon. Here you can enjoy the evening in the comfort of your hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel Fiesta (or similar)  

In the morning transfer from Santa Cruz to Isabela Island by speedboat. 

Isabela is the largest of the Galapagos Islands. It was formed by the action of six large volcanoes, which merged to form one single landmass. It is home to extraordinary landscapes and unique flora and fauna. The island is visited from two sides. Its northwestern portion down to Tagus Cove can only be visited by cruise ship. In the southern part of Isabela Island is the small town of Puerto Villamil, which can be reached by speedboat from Santa Cruz or by inter-island flight.

Galapagos Pro recommendation: We think this trip should not be missed in your Galapagos experience! You can go on your own or with a nature guide. Groups of 5 or more require the accompaniment of a nature guide when visiting the National Park.

Only one and a half kilometers from the small town of Puerto Villamil, you will find the Tortoise Breeding Station - Arnaldo Tupiza. The station dedicated to the protection and repopulation of the endangered giant tortoise subspecies of Isabela Island. The most threatened species at the station are the Cinco Cerros and Cerro Paloma, however guests will also see Cazuela, Roca Unión, San Pedro, and Tablas.

After the eruption of the volcano Cerro Azul in September 1998, rescued Cinco Cerros tortoises were brought to safety with the help of the Ecuadorean Army. Thanks to the breeding program, there are now 17 Cinco Cerros living in the station today.

 Accommodation: Hotel Cormorant Beach House (or similar)  

The small fishing village of Puerto Villamil invites you to join a boat tour destined for Las Tintoreras, a small islet in the southeast of Isabela.

On the way, keep an eye out for sea lions and penguins who like to play in the water. Once on the island, wander through the bizarre lava formations populated by large Iguana colonies. The nimble dragons scurry back and forth, catching flies or enjoying the warmth of the dark lava rocks. On the sandy beach, the sea lions loll in the sun or laze in the shade of the mangroves. Even white tip reef sharks are not uncommon to find in the calm waters of the bay.

 Accommodation: Hotel Cormorant Beach House (or similar)   

Spend the day exploring the volcanic landscape of Isabela Island, created by five side by side shield volcanoes, whose lava flows have united to form a landmass.

Make your way with a small group to the highlands and ascend to the volcano Sierra Negra. Although this is not the highest volcano at 1,200 meters, it has the second largest volcanic cone on earth, with a diameter of about 9 kilometers. In total, the hike covers about 8 kilometers of this interesting terrain, the first hour of which is uphill. The fruit of your labour is a magnificent view out over the island of Isabela. In the early afternoon you return to the small harbour town of Puerto Villamil.

Note: Please remember to bring high SPF sunscreen. The Sun's harmful rays can be very strong here.

  Accommodation: Hotel Cormorant Beach House (or similar)  

Early at the morning you will catch the speedboat back to Santa Cruz and will have a private transfer to  Baltra Airport (GPS).