Santa Fe Island - Playa Escondida

The day begins in Puerto Ayora, where you'll board a comfortable, safe vessel bound for one of the most charming islands in the Galápagos archipelago: Santa Fe.

As you approach the island, the scenery captivates instantly: incredibly clear turquoise waters, a white-sand beach and gentle waves breaking over black lava formations covered in giant cacti. In this pristine setting, it's common to spot blue-footed boobies, pelicans and, occasionally, the majestic Galápagos hawk.

The first stop takes place in a sheltered bay, perfect for a relaxed, accessible snorkeling session. Without diving too deep — even from the boat — you can watch schools of tropical fish, sea lions, sea turtles, manta rays and reef sharks.

Once the water activity is over, a freshly prepared lunch awaits on board. After lunch, the excursion continues with a short sail to Playa Escondida, a remote spot where you can take a guided walk with a certified naturalist. Along the way you may see large marine iguanas, finches, pelicans and, with a bit of luck, sea turtles in a second bay.

On the way back to Puerto Ayora there's the option of a short recreational fishing session.