Galapagos Island Hopping: Darwin Triangle Diving Tour

• Ecuador Tour package to Santa Cruz, San Cristobal & Isabela Islands
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The Galapagos Islands are one of the most biologically diverse areas of the entire planet and attract wildlife lovers from every country eager to see the numerous species that call these islands home.  Although experiencing the Galapagos on land and boat is a treasured opportunity to encounter many of the reptiles, mammals, and seabirds, most travelers never catch a glimpse of the life teeming below the surface.  This outstanding diving tour offers the best of both worlds. 

With a combination of land-based tours, snorkeling, and world-class diving, you can discover the most of the unique wildlife of this fascinating archipelago. Perhaps the only thing better than hiking across the volcanic landscapes of the various islands is descending to the ocean depths to swim through swaying forests of kelp with manatees, vibrant colored tropical fish, penguins, and seals.

The tour will take you to Santa Cruz, Isabela and San Cristobal Islands, arguably the most spectacular in the entire archipelago. Diving in the Galapagos truly is a unique experience because the animals are not afraid of people, which means you can get much closer to them here than almost anywhere else in the world.

You will start the tour on Santa Cruz, the most central island, where you will get your first diving experience and learn all about the history and wildlife of the Galapagos archipelago. Your next stop will be Isabela Island, the largest one in the archipelago, which was formed by the lava flows of six volcanoes, five of which are still active. Finally you will visit San Cristobal Island, one of the oldest islands and home to the capital of the Galapagos province, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. 

Day 1 : Arrival to Santa Cruz Island & Beach and Bay Tour
Day 2 : Diving Tour & Visit Charles Darwin Research Station
Day 3 : Diving Tour & Arrival to Isabela Island
Day 4 : Diving Tour & Visit Wall of Tears
Day 5 : Diving Tour & Free Afternoon
Day 6 : Isabela Bicycle Tour & Flight to San Cristobal Island
Day 7 : San Cristobal Diving Tour
Day 8 : Departure from San Cristobal Island

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Day 1 : Arrival to Santa Cruz Island & Beach and Bay Tour

• A 10 minute ferry ride will take you from mainland Ecuador to Santa Cruz Island where you will start your diving adventures in the Galapagos. You will first check in to your comfortable Lodge in Puerto Ayora, then head down to Tortuga Bay for your first snorkeling experience with the sea-lions, sting rays, and baby reef sharks swimming almost on the surface of the clear emerald water. You will also have the chance to witness a nesting site of the famous marine iguanas that can be seen throughout the islands.
• In the afternoon, you will get ready for your next days’ diving experiences with an equipment fitting session and a 45-minute introduction to scuba video for the beginner divers who chose the “Discover Scuba” option.
• In the evening, a welcome cocktail will be waiting for you at your lodge where you will enjoy a tasty dinner and discover the delicious local cuisine. Don’t stay up too late because you will want to be refreshed for the next day’s exciting adventures. 

Day 2 : Diving Tour & Visit Charles Darwin Research Station

• After a hearty breakfast at your lodge, you will set out on your first diving escapade in the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. There you will have the opportunity to observe first-hand and up close some of the amazing species that call these waters home. Some of the species you may encounter include Eagle Rays, Manta Rays, Hammerheads, White-Tipped Reef Sharks, Galapagos Sharks, Stingrays, Marbled Rays, Tiger Snake Eels, Moray Eels, Garden Eels, Sea Stars, Sea Turtles, Jacks, Blue and Gold Snappers, Flag Cabrilla, Creolefish, King Angelfish, Barracudas, Heiroglyphic Hawkfish, Frogfish, Yellowtail Surgeonfish, Spotfin Burrfish, Scorpionfish, Cardinalfish, and Nudibranch among others.
• In the afternoon, you will visit the fascinating Charles Darwin Research Station where a private guided tour will teach you all you need to know about the stunning Galapagos Islands and their inhabitants, both human and animal. Afterward, you will have some free time to relax and browse the shops along Charles Darwin Avenue for souvenirs. 

Day 3 : Diving Tour & Arrival to Isabela Island

• After breakfast, you will set out on a new diving adventure along the northern coast of Santa Cruz and have the opportunity to once again admire the mysterious and luxuriant marine wildlife of the Galapagos.
• In the afternoon, you will depart for Isabela Island where you will have some free time to relax on the spectacular white sand beach, bask in the sun, or start exploring the island on your own. In the evening, you will have dinner at your lodge then enjoy a free evening.

Day 4 : Diving Tour & Visit Wall of Tears

• After breakfast at your lodge, you will head out to Isla Tortuga where you will have the chance to explore more of the vibrant marine life on a new series of two dives.
• You will start the afternoon with a drive along the most beautiful, white sand, palm-lined beach in all of Galapagos, Long Beach. The drive will take you to the National Park where you will walk up the trail for astounding views from the top of Cerro Orchilla. As you drive down the road, you will very likely see the largest of the Galapagos marine iguanas taking in the sun by the side of the road. And don't be surprised if you have to wait for a Galapagos tortoise to cross the road in front of you! Next stop is the Muro de Las Lagrimas (Wall of Tears), a unique construction built by the backbreaking labor of prisoners centuries earlier. On the path to the Wall of Tears you will see an abundance of lava lizards; be careful not to step on their nests!
• Isabela has more tortoises in the wild than any other island with several sub-species, since lava fields created a barrier that limited their mobility to freely roam. On your way back to town, you will visit the Interpretation Center, a breeding center for the giant Galapagos Tortoises and the only place to view the rare, remaining flat-backed Galapagos tortoises, many of which still bear the scars of volcanic activity from Sierra Negra.
• In the evening you will enjoy a savory dinner and rest at your comfortable lodge.

Day 5 : Diving Tour & Free Afternoon

• Today you will dive in the spectacular Cuatros Hermanos (Four Brothers), a series of four islands and islets where you may be able to observe and admire multitudes of extraordinary species up close, such as Manta Rays, Sea Horses, Nudibranch, Sea Cucumbers, Octopus, White-Tipped Reef Sharks, Yellowtail Surgeonfish, Peruvian Surgeonfish, Wrasse, Sea Turtles, Tunas, Panamic Horse Conch, Tiger Snake Eels, Sea Stars and many more.
• The afternoon will be free for you to explore beautiful Isabela Island on your own. Relax on the stunning white sand beaches or stroll down the streets of charming Puerto Villamil, Isabela’s main town, and soak up some of the unique island culture and flavor. In the evening, try the exquisite regional cuisine made with fresh local products in one of the small restaurants near the port, before heading back to your comfortable lodge. 

Day 6 : Isabela Bicycle Tour & Flight to San Cristobal Island

• After breakfast you will depart for a bicycle tour of the highlands of Isabela before heading to the airport for your flight to San Cristobal. You will, without a doubt, revel in the breathtaking views of the islands from the sky during the flight.
• Upon arrival to San Cristobal Island, you will check in to your comfortable lodge before setting out on a tour to El Junco Lake. You will ride through the stunning countryside before reaching the lake, the largest fresh water reservoir in the whole Galapagos Archipelago. The lake itself is the caldera (collapsed cone) of an extinct volcano and is about 300 meters wide. This sweet water lagoon is surrounded by fern, sedges and various flowering plants. After a short hike up to the top of the lake, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the lagoon, surrounding hills and far away Pacific Ocean.
• Head back to your lodge for a quiet evening and a well deserved night’s rest before the next diving adventure-filled day on San Cristobal. 

Day 7 : San Cristobal Diving Tour

• Today you will set out for a full day of diving in various stunning spots located around San Cristobal Island. In the morning you will get the chance to dive at the famous Kicker Rock site – also known as Sleeping Lion – off the northwest coast of San Cristobal.  Two towering basalt monoliths rising out of the sea in the shape of a sleeping lion make this an incredibly scenic spot for diving. Here countless seabirds can also be seen, including blue-footed boobies.
• In the afternoon you will head out to Isla Lobos, located off the west coast of San Cristobal Island, which is an easy diving site and great for beginners. Though the wildlife above ground is enough to draw interest, below the surface is truly impressive.
• Upon returning to San Cristobal, you will have the remainder of the day free to rest and explore Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galapagos province. 

Day 8 : Departure from San Cristobal Island

• After breakfast at your lodge, your last land tour in the Galapagos will take you to Cerro de las Tijeretas (Frigatebird Hill), overlooking the town and ocean. Watch the frigate birds that nest in this area glide about, while sea lions laze on the beach below.
• You will then be transferred to the airport on mainland Ecuador for your journey home or to the next destination on your Ecuador vacation. Browse our full range of Galapagos tours and explore additional options for your vacation plans.

*Dive sites may change depending on weather conditions, currents, and visibility, or change in the rules and regulations of the National Park of Ecuador.

**All dives are two tank dives.

***The number of dives can vary due to weather/security conditions. There are no refunds for missed dives. 

 

Occupancy	3 Star
Double/Triple	$3,609 €2,743 £2,263
Single	$3,759 €2,857 £2,357
Prices may vary according to the season, availability, and client preferences. Certain transport costs may not be included. Please contact one of our expert travel advisors for more information.

Occupancy	3 Star
Double/Triple	$3,609 €2,743 £2,263
Single	$3,759 €2,857 £2,357
Prices may vary according to the season, availability, and client preferences. Certain transport costs may not be included. Please contact one of our expert travel advisors for more information.

Airfare (Not included)	Approximate Price per passenger
	$ to $

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• 2 nights on Santa Cruz Island, 3 nights on Isabela Island, and 2 nights on San Cristobal Island in high quality lodges based on US standards
• Guided visits with English-speaking naturalist guides
• All transfer fees
• All Meals & Soft Drinks
• Diving equipment except for dive computers which can be rented