• Flexible Cancellation
Floreana Island Day Tour:
The Highland Adventure & Mysteries
A full-day land tour from Santa Cruz to the least populated island in the Galápagos. Pirate caves in the highlands, the Floreana giant tortoise reserve, and a snorkel at La Lobería before the crossing home.
What to Expect on the Floreana Island Day Tour
Floreana is where human history and wild nature run together. With a community of roughly 150 residents, it is the least populated inhabited island in the Galápagos and the one with the strangest past: pirates, whalers, a barrel post office, and the unsolved disappearances of the 1930s settlers. The day starts with a crossing from Puerto Ayora where dolphins and manta rays often appear, then moves from the arid coast up into green highlands, taking in the caves that sheltered the first people on the archipelago and the reserve where the endemic giant tortoise has been brought back from the edge.
This is the land tour, built around the highlands, the history and the tortoises, with one snorkeling stop at the end. If you want the day spent mostly in the water instead, book the Floreana snorkeling tour. Both depart from Santa Cruz, and if you are weighing other options from Puerto Ayora, the Bartolomé Island day tour is the landscape trip and the 180° Santa Cruz tour the snorkeling-heavy one.
Floreana Island Tour Itinerary, Hour by Hour
07:00 AM — Departure from Puerto Ayora
We sail from Santa Cruz on a two-and-a-half-hour crossing to Floreana. Watch the horizon: dolphins and manta rays are regular company on this route.
09:30 AM — Asilo de la Paz & the Pirate Caves
We land at Puerto Velasco Ibarra and drive up to the island’s centre. Explore the pirate caves and the carved “Indian Face”, both sited next to the freshwater springs that made Floreana habitable in the first place.
11:30 AM — La Galapaguera Giant Tortoise Reserve
Visit the semi-natural enclosure where endemic Floreana tortoises roam freely. The reintroduction programme here is one of the clearest conservation successes in the archipelago.
02:00 PM — Snorkeling at La Lobería
After lunch we head to La Lobería for around 40 minutes of snorkeling in clear, shallow water, with sea turtles, octopus, sea lions and marine iguanas.
What’s Included
- ✓ Certified Naturalist Guide
- ✓ Full Snorkeling Gear & Towels
- ✓ Lunch & Fresh Snacks
- ✓ Island Transportation on Floreana
Not Included
- ✕ Sodas & Alcoholic Drinks
- ✕ Gratuities (Tips)
- ✕ Park Entry Fees
What to Bring on the Floreana Day Tour
- Footwear – Closed-toe walking shoes are mandatory for the highland trails.
- Sun Protection – High-SPF reef-safe sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat.
- Swimwear – Wear it underneath or bring it easy to change into for La Lobería.
- Eco-Awareness – Do not disturb or feed any wildlife, on land or in the water.
- Age & Mobility – Not recommended for children under 5 or travelers with reduced mobility.
Floreana Island Tour: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Floreana land tour and the snorkeling tour?
How long is the boat crossing to Floreana?
What is the history behind the Pirate Caves?
Is snorkeling difficult at La Lobería?
Can we see giant tortoises in the wild?
Can I stay overnight on Floreana instead of doing the day tour?
Cancellation Policy
This tour is covered by our flexible cancellation terms. Full conditions, deadlines and refund rules are on the cancellation policy page.