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Galapagos islands view from Bartolome that we'll visit on our coral triangle adventures snorkeling tour

Snorkeling the Incredible Galapagos Islands!

Galapagos islands map for our Galapagos islands snorkeling tour - coral triangle adventuresThe iconic Galápagos Islands (the name Galápagos comes from an old Spanish word meaning tortoise) have long been a destination that we have been eager to explore and now we are proud to announce Coral Triangle Adventures will be snorkeling there! Best known as one of Charles Darwin’s most influential stops in 1835 during his long voyage onboard the Beagle, the rugged, volcanic islands that make up the Galápagos Islands lie in relatively isolation approximately 605 miles off the western coast of Ecuador. Being so isolated, the varied islands within this scenic archipelago shelter a wide variety of distinctive flora and fauna, much of which we will have the opportunity to interact with up close and personal.
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While Darwin directed his attention primarily on the terrestrial organisms of the Galápagos, our adventure will focus on the islands’ impressive marine life and will allow as much snorkeling time as possible within this historic archipelago.
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Located at a strategic latitude and longitude, where ocean currents blend cold, upwelling, nutrient-rich waters with warmer currents, a truly unique set of marine life is found here, nearly 20% of which is endemic. Geological and biological processes have helped create a high variety of habitats relative to other marine areas in the eastern Pacific. Submarine mountains, plateaus, ridges, and valleys provide habitat to an array of marine communities, while the open ocean waters are a magnet for stocks of large, pelagic fish. In the water we will be viewing the planet’s only marine iguanas, Galápagos green turtles, Galápagos penguins – the northernmost living penguins on Earth, and Galápagos sea lions. Majestic spotted eagle rays are common here and even snorkeling above schools of prehistoric-looking scalloped hammerhead sharks is likely.
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But if tours in the Galápagos are guided and regulated, why go with us?
A fair question for sure. What makes our tour special is that we have partnered with an operator that has over 30 years of experience in the Galápagos Islands and who will work closely with National Park authorities to design us a program that focuses on snorkeling. The highlights of our special snorkeling itinerary are visiting areas and islands with more attractive reefs and potential for marine life, extra time in the water, and a more ‘off-the-beaten-path’ type of tour in the Galápagos islands!

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If you have ever wanted to visit the Galápagos, or have the desire to return and snorkel this one-of-a-kind place, please contact us. We are incredibly excited to run this departure to one of the most significant places on Earth in regards to viewing living examples of natural selection both above and below the waterline. Come join Coral Triangle Adventures in the Galápagos Islands!
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This special 14-day/13-night snorkeling adventure to every naturalists dream destination should not be missed!

 


ITINERARY

Route map for our Galapagos islands snorkeling tour - coral triangle adventures

Our snorkeling adventure in the Galápagos Islands begins and ends in Quito, Ecuador. We have one internal flight (Quito-Galápagos Islands-Quito). Our journey on the boat generally follows a circular route, stopping to visit several islands and island groups along our way around the archipelago. The following is a general itinerary based on our activity of snorkeling. The itinerary was prepared by the experience of the captain and crew and will be submitted for approval and/or changes from the rangers at the National Park. Please note that weather, tides, and other unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances may affect the schedule at any time.

Day 1: Quito, Ecuador
Meals provided: D
Arrive in Quito, Ecuador check in at the group hotel La Casona de la Ronda. Welcome dinner and trip orientation at the hotel. Overnight La Casona de la Ronda.

Day 2: Galápagos Islands / Archipel I
Meals provided: B,L,D
Our morning flight takes us to the San Cristobal in the Galápagos Islands, where we will board our expedition boat, the Archipel I. After our boat orientation and lunch we depart for our first snorkeling destination, German beach and/or Las Grietas. Overnight Archipel I.

Day 3 – 12: Galápagos Islands
Meals provided: B,L,D
Due to our special requests for adding extra times and areas for snorkeling and extended times at some of the more popular snorkeling sites, our operator asked that we not publish the proposal for our program until they have been reviewed by the National Park authorities. They won’t submit the proposal until next year. Please know that our focus is to snorkel the best of what the islands have to offer and to do so for as long as we can! As we get closer to our departure, we will update everyone with more details about our itinerary. Overnight Archipel I.

Day 13: Galápagos Islands / Quito
Meals provided: B,L,D
Disembark our boat for our flight back to Quito. Arrive and check into our group hotel. Farewell dinner in the evening. Overnight La Casona de la Ronda.

Day 14: International flights or extensions
Meals provided: B

DEPARTURES

We are looking at dates in 2026. Please Contact Us for more information

Accommodations: Archipel I
Guides: TBD

Tour cost includes:

  • Accommodations on day 1 through day 14
  • All meals on days 2 through 13 (dinner on day 1 – breakfast on day 13)
  • All internal transfers including international arrival and departure transfers
  • Non-alcoholic beverages
  • All snorkeling and park fees
  • All gratuities

Tour cost does not include:

  • Round-trip international airfare
  • Additional hotel accommodations and meals as a result of travel outside of the program dates
  • Visa requirements including payments
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • International departure taxes
  • Extra / overweight baggage fees
  • Trip insurance (recommended; (we recommend Travel GuardWorld Nomads, or Travel Insure)
  • DAN insurance (required unless personal insurance program has worldwide emergency evacuation services)
  • Additional accommodations while on tour in the event of flight schedule changes or events of force majeure
  • Fuel surcharges (if applicable)

Cancellation policy:
180 – 91 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost
90 days or less prior to departure: 100% of tour cost

Please see our Terms and Conditions

Marine iguanas are endemic to the galapagos islands and may have been an important part of Charles Darwin's observations that lead towards his Theory of Natural History


ACCOMMODATIONS

ARCHIPEL I

Archipel I, snorkeling boat used for Galapagos snorkeling tour - coral triangle adventuresM/V Archipel I is a 27m (88ft) motor catamaran designed for luxury and stability. She was built in 2005 specifically for cruising the Galapagos Islands and offers eight double cabins, a spacious dining area with bar, and a conference room with a library of books and DvD’s for use with the large flat screen TV. Each cabin has ensuite bathrooms, picture windows, closet and storage space. The M/V Archipel I cruises at 10 knots and the wheelhouse is complete with GPS, radar, sonar, and satellite navigation systems. The boat is equipped with EPIRBs, and two life rafts designed for up to 20 people each.


WHAT TO EXPECT

The Galápagos Islands straddle the Equator about 900 miles west of Ecuador, South America. As such, the islands enjoy a tropical climate with temperatures that hover around 28º C (82º F) during the daytime and fall into the 70’s at night. Rain can happen at any time but the sun generally shines throughout the day creating a perfect environment for our snorkeling adventures.

Water temperatures vary between 16º – 28º C (61º – 82º F). The large range in water temperature reflects the influence of oceanic upwellings and currents that affect the different coasts and islands along the archipelago. While most of our snorkel sessions will take place in warmer water, there are several sites where we will experience cooler water. As such, our strong recommendation for this departure is to have, <strong>at a minimum, a 3 mm full wetsuit and hood</strong>. Please note that this suggestion is the minimum and if you plan to spend the maximum amount of time in the water, you should consider extra laying like a 2-3mm vest or perhaps even a thicker wetsuit. Skins are great to protect you from the sun or even the random little no-see-ums that can sting, but may not be much of a help with regards to thermal protection.

Many of the areas we will snorkel upon are subjected to currents associated with the large tide cycles that prevail in the area. While we often schedule our session during a time when the currents are minimal, there will be planned drift snorkels. These types of snorkels take advantage of the water movement and allow us to float over the reef without having to actively swim. This activity usually becomes an instant favorite among our guests as it is very exciting and yet very passive at the same time! In some cases, however, the unpredictability of the tides may expose us to strong water movement. This may require a bit of effort though we will always have our dinghies standing by to help if needed.

Our planned walks – nearly one per day – to visit the many attractions on the islands will take place as directed by the boat schedule.

Please read more about our daily schedule.


WHAT TO BRING

The following list is a suggestion of things to bring and applies to almost all our trips. Specific items on a particular departure will be noted on the departure information.

-A good fitting mask, snorkel, and set of fins. If your equipment is brand new, please try it out in the pool. Determining the fit and function of your equipment in the pool includes doing several laps with all your equipment on. Doing several snorkel dives is also very beneficial. It is also important to clean your new equipment, especially your mask. Cleaning procedures for your mask include light scrubbing with toothpaste or dishwasher soap to remove the layer of silicon used to preserve the mask during shipping. Clean both sides of the mask. Doing this greatly reduces the chances of having your mask fog. Not doing this, even when using mask de-fogger, usually results in a fogged mask.

-A wetsuit, rash guard, diveskin, or any type of clothing that can be used for thermal and/or protection from the sun. We suggest bringing a full 3mm wetsuit and some type of core insulation like a vest or shirt made of 1 – 2 mm neoprene (e.g., Lavacore or Sharkskin shirts or vests). These items will not only provide thermal protection but protection from the sun as well. For those who feel that a 3mm suit may be too warm, please consider a full body skin or rash guard to ensure protection from the sun. With regards to thermal protection, remember the saying: It is better to have and not need, than to need and not have. One that note…

-Head protection in the form of a wetsuit hood, a cap, or even a bandana. Anything that can keep the sun off your head is extremely important. It is the most exposed part of our bodies when we are floating on the surface.

-Underwater flashlight on departures with a planned night snorkel

-Biodegradable sunscreen lotion. Sunscreen lotions can be harmful and even kill tiny larvae (baby marine life). It is fine to wear on land, but we highly discourage the use of sunscreen lotions in the water. A full wetsuit or dive skin will protect one from the sun much better than lotions and provide thermal protection. It is truly a win-win for everyone and the marine environment.

-Casual, lightweight, tropical clothing
-Sunglasses (and a spare in case you lose your main pair)
-Comfortable footwear such as active sandals (Teva, Keen, Merrell, etc.)
-Hats. We cannot stress the importance of a hat in the tropics!
-All our boats provide items like shampoo, soap, towels, etc. We bring this up because these items represent added weight or may leak.

Other items to consider:
-Lightweight rainwear to protect from the occasional afternoon shower
-Binoculars


TRIP REPORTS
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