Diving/Snorkelling

There is a dive shop in town.  Tortuga Island is a popular dive site.

Snorkelling at the Lava Tunnels. A 40-minute boat trip to go 15 miles then two different snorkel locations. Black and white tipped reef sharks, plenty of turtles, sea lions and seahorses etc. $135 per person (2024)

Guided Kayak Tour

Hire a guide from Wooden House B&B (Minino) for $25 and $5 each per hour for kayaks. To a little offshore island and coves along the coast.

Alfredo Bolivar (Minino) contact details – Email: [email protected], Phone: +593 5252008.

Bike Rentals

At Bazar Veronica on the main street just past the hospital (heading west). Roads are all sand so traffic moves slowly.  A good way to get to the Wall of Tears.

Surfboard Rentals

There is a surf shop in town that rents surfboards.

Concha de Perla (Free)

Walk along the wooden raised walkway from the main dock, through ancient mangroves to a tranquil pool with a small dock. Nice protected snorkeling or at a squeeze (no beach) a nice place for a picnic. You will probably see turtles, reef sharks and a lot of fish.

Las Tintoreas

This is a trail around the reef and islets surrounding the anchorage. Wildlife includes penguins, turtles, marine iguanas, white tipped reef sharks, sea lions, and blue-footed boobies. The steps are in the center opening in the reef that many fishing pangas take to the open sea –just watch them.   While this spot is in the lava islands next to the anchorage, visitors are not allowed to go there in dinghies or swim there, you must go with a guide.  Expect to pay about $50 per person (2024).  Contact Manuel (+593 99 776 3091) whose family owns various tourist businesses on the island.

A colony of Penguins that live here and visit your boat to feed.

Centro de Crianza (Free).

Follow the main road west to sign (at the Iguana Crossing). Follow the trail and raised walkways to tortoise rescue and breeding center. Most of the endangered species endemic to Isabela are represented here.

Muro de Lágrimos (Wall of Tears), Mirador and Nature Trails.

The wall is six km (3.7 miles) out along the beach road and was built after WWII by inmates of a penal colony. From there, go to the Mirador (overlook) and then walk along trails. Lava tubes, Playa del Amor (covered in marine iguanas), lagoons with pink flamingos (6 pm when they return from feeding). You can arrange a taxi for $12 to take you 6km to the Wall, wait, take you to the Mirador, wait, take you to the first set of trails, from which you visit the others and walk back to town. Biking is a nice option.

Horse Riding to Sierra Negra Volcano

Take a ¾ hour taxi ride then about 45 minutes up the volcano on the horses. Then it’s a good 1 ½ hike there and back for which walking shoes are required. Lunch on the side of the volcano with an amazing view. Then back on the horses and taxi. $130 per person (2024).  Contact Manuel (+593 99 776 3091) whose family owns various tourist businesses on the island.

Cabo Rosa/Los Tuneles

A number of cruisers report this to be the best tour in the Galapagos. This is a 40 km (25 mile) panga ride to Cabo Rosa, with a brief stop at Roca Union. Cabo Rosa (or Los Tuneles) is an unbelievable lava landscape which is negotiated by the panga driver through a series of narrow channels and arches with cactus growing on them. The collapsed lava has created many tunnels and bridges that are magical. Snorkeling possible too. Take a USB Stick with you, as many guides take underwater pictures and share them at the end.

Puerto Morteno

Fabricio organizes this “once in a lifetime” full day trip, but needs 8-10 people at $150 ahead, so you will need to organize a group yourselves. The trip includes snorkeling with wildlife, sightings of flightless cormorants and a stop-off at Los Tuneles on the way back. Fishing and fresh ceviche (if you catch anything) is included. Cell: 0980927845 located on Av Antonio Gil, E-mail: [email protected]

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