After only approx. 45-55 minutes of navigation, Santa Fe Island will be reached, one of the best snorkel spots in Galapagos. This very calm bay with crystal clear, turquoise water (like a natural swimming pool) is the perfect place to swim with sea lions; the younger, more playful ones love to get into the water with the snorkelers, twirling and chasing around - an absolutely unique experience!
Besides the sea lions, the underwater world has a lot more to offer: Sea turtles, sharks, lots of tropical fish, eagle rays and more.
There are also many birds that can be observed; blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, mockingbirs and if lucky even the Galapagos hawk.
The landscape is stunningly beautiful, the contrast of the the turquoise water against the dark lava rocks, the cacti as well as the white sand beach full of sea lions.
After a freshly prepared lunch, there will be a disembarkation on the remote Hidden Beach, a magnificent white sand beach. You can either just relax on the beach, go for a swim or do a discovery walk with the guide, to find big marine iguanas, pelicans and mangroves.
There will also be the opportunity to do some fishing from the boat on the way back.
Sample Menu
• Fish / Seafood or Chicken / Ceviche
• Cake / Cookies / Fruits
See Availability.
Guiding Galapagos Expeditions, Calle Enrique Fuentes 106 Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Puerto Ayora 200350, Ecuador
08:00 AM
7 hours(approx.)
Returns to original departure point
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Posted By : 319LisaG
Really loved this tour. Guiding Galapagos could not have been better. They went above and beyond the other tour companies by providing higher quality, pre- fitted snorkel gear , and walking us to and from the boat. One of my friends used another company and did not get near the service we had from Guiding Galapagos. The boat ws older , but clean and well laid out with 2 big Johnson 200hp outboards. Boat staff was worked to make sure everyone was comfortable and happy. Snorkel guide made Sur everyone saw everything and was safe, though his English was at times very hard to understand. Would have enjoyed more scientific knowledge on all the wildlife . High waves did not permit us to land on the beach in Santa Cruz, but that just gave us more snorkel time in Santa Fe. Snorkeled with all kinds of fish , Galapagos sharks, and sea lions. From anchor on boat saw manta rays ( one even jumped ), a large group of spotted eagle rays, and many more sharks. One of the highlights was observing not just one, but four Galapagos Hawks. We even got to see them mating. Also saw blue footed boobies, brown noddies, frigate birds, Galapagos Dove, and more. Lunch was one of the best I have ever had served aboard a tour. Note: you are not allowed to land on the beach at Santa Fe, but everything you want you see, other than plant life is in the water and we got to see.
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Posted On : 2024-04-23
Posted By : williamwN7582PL
We used Guiding Galapagos for 4 different excursions on our recent stay based in Puerto Ayora and I cannot say enough good things about our experience ! From start to finish , everything was handled expertly by the friendly staff, allowing for seamless adventures each day of our stay. First of all, Stephanie was extremely helpful in planning and scheduling our excursions prior to our arrival . She was prompt in replying to emails and also allowed us flexibility due to recent events on mainland Ecuador - which ended up being a nonissue , as our trip was as safe and secure as any we have taken elsewhere. Upon arrival in the Galapagos, we were in the kind and capable hands of island office staffers Omar and Daniel who could not have been more helpful and friendly. They personally led us to our boat each morning , guiding us seamlessly through the organized chaos on the pier and met us back at the pier each afternoon to welcome us back and inquire about our days adventures.
We have traveled quite a bit and I can honestly say this tour company is one of the best we have encountered anywhere in the world. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone and will gladly utilize them again when we most certainly return to the Galapagos ! Muchas Gracias to Stephanie , Omar and Daniel , as well as to all our wonderful guides . You all made our stay the amazing adventure it was !
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Posted On : 2024-04-16
Posted By : mariop70
Absolutely stunning tour. We all had a great time. Incredible nature,
great tour guide and super kind boat crew. Perfect day!
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Posted On : 2024-03-28
Posted By : 432cathyf
First we were taken to the Hidden beach on Santa Cruz, where there were many iguanas. The beach was pristine and we had the chance of a short swim, while the pelicans and other seabirds dived for fish.
Thenon to Santa Fé island where the first snorkel was like swimming through an aquarium- so many fish of all colours, shapes and sizes. After a snack, the second snorkel took us to a different part of the island, where a colony of sea lions were basking on the beach and the rocks. Our guide took us to the shallows near the rocks where we were mobbed by baby sea lions dancing and playing round us. A few tried to nibble our fins! Wonderful! The lunch on board was delicious before returning back to Puerto Ayora. A really memorable day!
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Posted On : 2024-03-03
Posted By : Linda R
Daniel was knowledgeable about helping us plan a snorkeling trip based on our expectations & the weather conditions. Our boat crew were kind & helpful. Yaz, our snorkel guide was phenomenal & knowledgeable about the area. He pointed out turtles, starfish & other marine life I would have missed. I would definitely book a day trip through them again given the opportunity. I would rate them 10 stars if I could! 😊
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Posted On : 2024-02-18
Posted By : lunamoon88
Amazing day tour of Santa Fe! Yazmany was friendly, very knowledgeable, and made sure we had a fun day. We stopped at two snorkelling spots and saw sea turtles, eagle rays, starfish, sea snakes, baby sharks, and plenty of colourful fish. Swimming with the sea lion pups was definitely the highlight though! Lunch and the snacks provided were also great, and our stop at the beautiful hidden beach was a nice break from the boat.
I had booked through a tour agency and think I was meant to be on a different boat that cancelled, but I’m super happy that I ended up with this company! :)
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Posted On : 2024-02-14
Posted By : 990samiraf
Great tour with the very competent and fun Guide Yasmani! We had a great time on the island and snorkeling with sea lions. The whole crew made the trip special, even the food was absolutely delicious! Definitley worth it!
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Posted On : 2024-02-11
Posted By : Roam622693
Yaz and his crew provided a wonderful snorkeling experience! Yaz brought us to crystal clear waters in two different areas where we saw large schools of angel fish of differing types, sea lions, rays, baby sharks, Yaz videoed the scenes ( and sent them to us). The captain of boat set out fishing poles, caught a fish and prepared it on board for us to eat. This was addition to the a lunch of rice, lentils, and poached swordfish prepared onboard (which was delicious)! Overall, I would highly recommend this boating tour of Sante Fe Island
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Posted On : 2024-02-06
Posted By : msF4003AX
Amazing tour !! Loved the views and the experience. Our Guide was amazing!! Would recommend highly recommend!
Very fun activity.
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Posted On : 2024-01-30
Posted By : Frederick_K
We had 2 stops for snorkeling. The boat anchored in an area with a strong current, unknown to the guests. We were told by the guide, Caesar, to swim to a rock (that happened to be perpendicular to the current). (1) Before going in we asked what do the snorkelers do, if they have an issue, but he had no answer. First red flag. (2) He had an 8 year old boy go in first and he was taken by the current. The guide was preparing for the next person, but when the dad asked for help, the guide said he will get to the boy once everyone got in, so the dad immediately dove in after his son, (3) the water was cold, so 3 women decided to get back to the boat of which, my wife was 1 of them. She got pulled in the current so I had to swim to her. We screamed for help, but no one on the boat could do anything. The guide finally came. There was another boy, a teen, caught in the current and had to be rescued. We finally had a life ring and I had to help the guide tow the ring that had my wife and the boy. The guide realized the current was too strong to swim to the boat directly, so we towed to the rocks followed it up passed the so we took take the current to the boat. (4) when we were all safely back on the boat, the guide blamed us for not listening to him to get to the rock. Even though, the current took multiple people. (5) in hind sight there were no other boats by us. I’m guessing because the other boats/guides know about the current. When we went to our second site, there were multiple boats. Needless to say, but the 2 boys and my wife did not trust the guide so did not go in the second site.
We have done multiple snorkels in the Galapagos and never had an issue. And I plan to do a couple of dives from San Cristobol. Interestingly, this was the first snorkeling tour without a zodiac (dingy) following the snorklers.
The guide was rude, had poor judgment, and was not concerned about safety. I would not recommend this particular guide/tour.
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Posted On : 2023-12-26
