Galapagos Islands

This morning we set off from Isabela’s south side towards the iconic island of Tortuga, whose crater rim is the only remnant of an ancient collapsed volcano. The island is a nesting site for a large variety of seabirds, including frigate birds and the elusive red-billed tropicbird, as well as being a sanctuary for sea lions and marine iguanas. The sides of the volcano’s crater create a protected natural cove, which allows us to split our day into two swims; the first on the inside of the crater and the second on the outside edge. It really is a swimming experience quite unlike any other. ​

After breakfast we head out on our support boats to Los Islotes Cuatro Hermanos (Four Brothers Islands), a group of rocky islands rising out of the Pacific Ocean off Isabela’s east coast. They feature stunning underwater vistas and offer some of the archipelago's more adventurous swims. The swim routes here feature caves and tunnels with starfish and sea urchins lining the cliff edge, while the rare Galapagos fur seal can often be seen lying on ledges. Tropical fish can be found all around here and the islands are also well known for the local manta ray population. There are also good opportunities to see white tipped reef sharks, Californian sea lions and sea tortoises during these swims.

The swimming options here are so varied that we bring lunch with us, so we don’t miss a thing. Throughout the day, there is an opportunity to snorkel, as well as swim, as the seafloor is so varied and flourishing with life. We may find ourselves staring at penguins or face-to-face with the most playful and delightful Galapagos native: the sea lion!

Today is a day of exploration as we first travel to Floreana in the far south of the archipelago. Floreana is one of the oldest islands of the archipelago and is still volcanically active to this day. We visit its west coast. Here we’ll take a snorkel as this perfectly preserved coastline is home to marine iguanas, Galapagos crabs and many species of birds dotted along the volcanic rocks - there is so much for us to see both above and below the water’s surface! Upon completing our morning swim, we make our way back to the main hamlet of Puerto Velazco Ibarra where we take lunch in a local restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

We then transfer by boat to Santa Cruz, which is our base for the remainder of the trip and the centre of the Galapagos Islands’ conservation efforts. After arriving at our hotel, we meet for a swim on the shore of Academy Bay, just next to the Charles Darwin Research Centre, giving you an opportunity to visit these headquarters of conservation within the Galapagos National Park. Dinner will be taken in the main town of Santa Cruz, so we can get familiar with the surroundings.

After breakfast, we travel by boat to Santa Fe Island. Located southwest of Santa Cruz, this is one of the oldest islands in the Galapagos archipelago and a real favourite for swimmers. While we are unable to go ashore, we do swim along its dramatic coastline with its numerous blowholes, sea caves and protected bays. Colonies of Barrington land iguanas roam the island, and here we also have the opportunity to swim with the playful Californian sea lions which can often be found slipping in and out of the water on the island’s rocky coastline.

The morning swim is a coastal trip along the dramatic western side of the island, after which we will take lunch on board our boats in the stunning Santa Fe Bay with its resident sea lion colony. In the afternoon we swim out from the bay and head east along cliff ledges, which are filled with frigate birds and seals.

This morning we journey to the isolated island of Pinzon, which marks the geographic centre of the Galapagos Islands. Our first swim is a snorkel in a small cove that is home to vast numbers of sea lions and marine iguanas, a truly fantastic experience.

After lunch, we continue our swim clockwise around Pinzon. There are various bays and coves to explore here with a wide variety of marine life to discover. Our on hand naturalist guides are always ready to share their wealth of knowledge and are able to help you learn more about your surroundings. It’s a wonderful way to bring to an end this week of swimming and exploring in the Galapagos Islands. After arriving back at Santa Cruz, we have our final dinner together as a group and reflect on the incredible experience that we’ve shared in the Galapagos Islands.

For those departing the Galapagos today, there is an early morning transfer to Baltra Airport. As we drive north we climb into the highlands, which offer a lush contrast to the beaches and arid lowlands. On the way we stop to visit the Rancho Primicias where you’ll see dozens of the world-famous Galapagos tortoises wandering and grazing freely in their natural habitat. We leave the Rancho to complete our journey to the airport and the end of our adventure.

Isabela

The largest island in the archipelago, Isabela was forged by the merger of six volcanoes (five of which are still active), making it one of the most volcanically active places on the planet. With a landscape made up of a mix of lava fields, dense vegetation and red mangroves, Isabela Island is home to a diverse wildlife population that often come right up to and interact with humans. It is an incredibly pretty island - a place you may want to consider extending your stay on.

Santa Fe Island

The dense vegetation of Santa Fe is made up of some of the largest species of cactus, including a prickly pear forest. The island also boasts its own indigenous Santa Fe land iguana, which is one of the largest land iguanas found on the islands.

Santa Cruz

The central island of the Galapagos archipelago is Santa Cruz. This island is a large dormant volcano and it is estimated that the last eruptions occurred around a million and a half years ago. Here we can find marine iguanas, exotic sea birds and Galapagos crabs, and, at a nearby natural mangrove, we can spot white tip sharks and the enormous Galapagos tortoise.

Cuatro Hermanos

Cuatro Hermanos, or the Four Brothers, is an archipelago of four uninhabited islands located near Isabela Island and is a popular area for diving. The islands are of volcanic origin and are cone shaped, as well as being carved by the motion of the waves. The islands are also home to a bird sanctuary and provide a great spot to observe several different seabird species.

Equipment to bring along with you

In addition to your daily non-swimming clothes, we also recommend that you bring the following items:

*Try to bring one clear lens and one tinted lens for different light conditions.

**Due to the archipelago’s location on the equator, the sun can be very strong and we strongly advise that you bring a rash vest with you

SwimTrek will supply swim hats, water and electrolyte drinks. The guides will no longer distribute shared drinks bottles, but rather will fill up each individual guest’s personal drink bottle. Please ensure these are clearly marked to help our guides identify yours. If you would like to use a wetsuit, rash vest, snorkel or fins during your swims, please ensure that you bring these with you. For more on our Updated Packing List check out our Covid-19 guidance.

Snorkel Equipment

Our boat partners in the Galapagos Islands will carry a limited range of snorkel equipment which can be used by our guests, however, if you have your own mask and snorkel that you’d like to use, we strongly encourage you to bring this along with you.

Group Size and Boat Support

This trip has a maximum group size of 16 people with two swim guides and a boat crew. The trip will be split into a maximum of two groups based on speed, each of which will be accompanied by their own safety vessel/escort.

We have given this trip a 'Moderate' grading. Most swimmers comfortable in the open water will be able to take part and enjoy one of these trips.

Swimming Distances

This tour varies from trip to trip because of the regulations set by the Galapagos National Park. For conservation reasons, the amount of time we are allowed in the water will sometimes determine our swims rather than what is listed below. Due to the unique nature of this tour and the abundance of wildlife, we will undoubtedly be stopping to look at marine life which may affect the distances swum. As a rough guide, we plan to undertake the following swims:

Swimming Conditions

The Galapagos Islands is one of the most diversified ecosystems anywhere on Earth. The variety of sea life is staggering, with sea lions, sea turtles, manta rays and penguins to name but a few. Swimming in the Galapagos is an unforgettable experience, however, you need to be aware that certain marine life such as jellyfish, sharks, sea urchins and coral could be present during the swims. All of our swims are carried out under the approval of the Galapagos National Park, who control the areas from where we can operate. In the areas that we swim, there is a long history of snorkeling and swimming, so sea life is used to human interaction. If you suffer from anaphylaxis please consult the office prior to booking.

Walking Distances

Walking is not a focus of this trip it is necessary to do some walking to explore the shoreside wildlife.

Walking Conditions

The walks on this trip take place on footpaths and unsealed trails, as well as more challenging terrain, such as lava. We advise that appropriate walking shoes are worn for all walks. Please also note that on most days you can opt to stay on the boat rather than participating in walks, if you wish.

Temperatures

*Please note that these temperatures are indicative and should be used as a guide only.

Weather Caveat

For safety reasons, we rely on decent weather conditions when carrying out our swims. Consequently, open water swimming holidays require a certain degree of on-trip flexibility which can result in changes to the planned itinerary. These changes often add a touch of uniqueness to your trip and will be communicated to you by your SwimTrek guides as quickly as possible.

Responsible Travel

At SwimTrek, we are fortunate enough to travel to some of the most beautiful environments on our planet. We are incredibly conscious of the fact that the onus is on us to strive to ensure our trips, and our business, run in an environmentally responsible manner, limiting our impact on the ecosystems we visit.

Learn more about how we strive to ensure that our trips are run in an environmentally responsible manner.

All flights to the Galapagos Islands are from mainland Ecuador, normally starting in Quito and then stopping in Guayaquil Airport before flying on to the islands. Due to arrival and departure times, it is often necessary to stay overnight in one of these cities during transit. From Quito or Guayaquil, you can catch a flight to Galapagos Islands.

As SwimTrekkers come from all over the world, and join our swimming holidays in numerous destinations, we don't currently offer flights as part of our SwimTrek packages. We do however want to do as much as we can to ensure that our guests get the best deals when travelling to one of our trips so check out SwimTrek's tips to help you get the best deals for your flights page on the website.

Flights from Quito/Guayaquil to Baltra

Once you arrive in either Quito or Guayaquil, there are several airlines which operate flights to Baltra (Seymour) Airport on Baltra Island (airport code: GPS). These airlines include Tame, Avianca and LATAM, who all operate morning flights to Baltra which arrive in time to catch the transfer below. It is also worth mentioning that there is a limit for checked luggage on all flights to Baltra, normally 20kg per person.

Arrival Information

If your flight arrives before 12:30 on Day 1 of the trip, the following information applies:

Upon landing at Baltra Airport, you will be met by a VIP team member, who will have a SwimTrek sign, to escort you to the VIP lounge. Here, you will have access to bathrooms, refreshments and comfortable seating. You will need to provide the VIP staff your passports, the US$100 entrance fee and the luggage stub you will have received upon your earlier check in for your flight to Baltra. The staff will then collect your luggage and process all of the passport and entrance paperwork whilst you relax in the lounge. Once the last guests (whose flights are due to land before 12:30) have arrived, you will be escorted to a private van which will take you across Baltra Island (approx. 10 mins) to the Itabaca Canal. You'll then board our comfortable catamaran boat for the crossing to Isabela island.

If you are arriving before Day 1,or after 12:30 on Day 1 please contact our partners at Galapagos Alternative to arrange transfers to your hotel, as well as transport for you to meet the rest of the guests on your SwimTrek trip. The Galapagos Alternative team can be reached via: info@galapagosalternative.com.

Departure Information

It is recommended that guests arrive at the airport at least two hours before their flight in order to check in and reach their departure gate in time. With this in mind, we recommend that guests book their outbound flights for 12:30 or later.

If you choose to book an earlier flight, there may be the option to take a taxi directly from our hotel to the airport. This will mean that you miss out on the Ranch tour on Day 7. Please contact our partners at Galapagos Alternative to arrange this transfer: info@galapagosalternative.com.

Accommodation

Due to the large distances between the islands, we stay at two different hotels during our trip; the Casa de Marita on Isabela Island and the Posada del Mar on Santa Cruz Island.

Casa de Marita is situated on a sandy beach near the small town of Puerto Villamil whilst Posada del Mar offers simple, local-style accommodation in the town of Puerto Ayora. Rooms at both hotels are based on twin share with ensuite facilities with a limited number of single occupancies and sea view upgrades available.

WiFi is available in both hotels, however, please be aware that it is often slow and unreliable, and it is sometimes only possible to connect in reception or other common areas.

Pre/Post Trip Accommodation and Trip Extension Options

If you require additional nights’ accommodation or you would like to book other tours or day trips before or after the SwimTrek tour, you can do so directly through our partners in the Galapagos Islands, Galapagos Alternative. They can be reached via email at: info@galapagosalternative.com.

If you are looking to extend your holiday, we recommend stopping over in Ecuador before or after your flights to the Galapagos Islands. Ecuador’s capital Quito is a vibrant city with a well-preserved colonial centre.

Food and Drink

All breakfasts and lunches on Days 1 – 6 are included on the trip. Dinner on the first night (Day 1) is included in your package price, but all other dinners are at your own expense giving you a fantastic opportunity to explore and experience the local cafes and restaurants of your choice over the course of your trip. Please note that on occasion fresh fruit and vegetables can be in short supply on the islands and our local partners try to source all produce locally rather than importing from mainland Ecuador.

As a guide, dinners range from $25-$35 for set menus or buffets. Soft drinks are $1-$2 and beers are $2-$4. Please note that some restaurants may not accept payment by credit card so we recommend that you take some cash with you for these occasions.

Due to the quality of the drinking water, we recommend that you only drink bottled water whilst in the Galapagos. You should also use bottled water to brush your teeth. Complimentary water filling stations are available in both hotels.

Extra Activities

Included in the trip itinerary are wildlife watching ashore and during the swims there is time for snorkeling (see Trip Information section for advice on snorkeling equipment).

Money Extra Expenses and Tipping

Due to the unique nature of this trip, our payment terms vary slightly from other SwimTrek adventures. Our Covid-19 flexible booking conditions also do not apply for this trip.

The payment terms and conditions for our Galapagos Islands trips are as follows:

You should bring extra money with you to cover items such as dinners, entertainment, souvenirs, etc. The local currency is US dollars and cash bills should be in good condition and small denominations as it is often difficult to change $100 and $50 bills on the islands. There are ATMs on Santa Cruz Island and at Baltra Airport, however, there are no ATMs on Isabela Island, so we recommend that you withdraw enough cash for your stay there before leaving Baltra on arrival.

All people entering the Galapagos Islands must purchase an INGALA Transit Control Card from the Consejo de Gobierno in Quito or Guayaquil Airport before departing for Galapagos. The price of this card is US$20 and must be paid in cash at the INGALA window prior to checking in for your flight.

Upon arrival at Baltra Airport, a $100 Galapagos National Park entrance fee per person must be paid in cash. (Please note that a member of the VIP team will collect this money from you and take care of the payment while you relax in the VIP lounge). This money is used to conserve and restore the land, water, and animal populations, and to educate the human population about conservation efforts throughout the islands. Please note that this fee must be paid before you reach the area of the airport where ATMs are available, so you will need to bring cash with you on your flight. Isabela Island Entrance Tax is included in our trip price.

In some countries tipping (gratuities) is not part of the culture, in others it has become an expected norm. We believe that tipping is entirely at your discretion. If you have been provided with excellent service, it may be something you wish to do. That said tipping is part of the culture in the Galapagos Islands and an important part of earning a living for local workers. So, your SwimTrek package includes daily tips for your local boat crew and Galapagos Naturalist Guides who will accompany you on all of your swims. All other tips throughout your stay in the Galapagos are at your own discretion. Nothing is expected for your SwimTrek guides, but many groups like to present something to the guides at the end of the trip.

Passports and Visas

Visitors to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands require a full passport that should be valid for six months beyond the expected length of stay. Most nationalities, including citizens of the European Union, the US and Canada, do not require a visa to enter Ecuador (unless the expected length of stay is longer than 90 days in one year).

Non-residents of the United States travelling via the US, should ensure they leave enough time between connecting flights and meet US visa entry requirements and visit: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/.

Please note that visa regulations are subject to change and we advise that you check your own visa requirements prior to travel.

Travel Insurance

We consider comprehensive travel insurance to be essential, and we strongly recommend that you purchase insurance which includes, but is not limited to, cover for illness, accident, emergency repatriation, ambulance, air ambulance, helicopter rescue services, cancellation, lost luggage and delays. Your travel insurance should also cover you for open water swimming and any other activity listed in your trip itinerary (including races and competitions, where applicable). Please read your policy details carefully and remember to take them with you on your trip for your own reference. For further information about travel insurance, please visit: www.swimtrek.com/travel-insurance.

Health Information and Recommended Vaccinations

For comprehensive health information for people travelling to Ecuador (both mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands), including all recommended and required vaccinations, please visit www.travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries. Please note that this information is subject to change and you should re-check this site regularly prior to your trip.

Internet Access, Electricity and Travel Plugs

Given the isolated nature of the Galapagos Islands and the limited local infrastructure, WiFi coverage is generally slow and can be quite unreliable. While both of our hotels have WiFi, it is sometimes only possible to connect in reception or other common areas.

If you would like to purchase a 3G SIM card to use during your stay in the Galapagos, this can be arranged via our partners for collection upon arrival. To purchase your SIM card in advance, please email: info@galapagosalternative.com.

For a useful source of information on the different electrical outlets, electrical plugs, and electric sockets, please visit www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plug-voltage-by-country/.