• Flexible Cancellation
Santa Fe Island Tour:
Snorkeling & Sea Lions Day Trip
A full-day snorkeling tour from Puerto Ayora to one of the oldest islands in the Galápagos, an hour from Santa Cruz. Santa Fe bay holds a large sea lion colony, and the pups treat snorkelers as playmates.
What to Expect on the Santa Fe Island Tour
Santa Fe covers 24 km² and is geologically among the oldest islands in the Galápagos, old enough that its Opuntia cacti have grown into a genuine forest with trunks as thick as trees. But the reason to book this tour is underwater. The island’s sheltered bay holds a large resident sea lion colony, and the pups and juveniles are the most interactive animals in the archipelago: they come to you, circle you, and copy whatever you do. Sea turtles graze the shallows, whitetip reef sharks rest on the sandy bottom, and blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls nest on the cliffs above.
Among the Santa Cruz day tours, Santa Fe is the one to book for the sea lion encounter, and it has the shortest crossing of the group at one hour each way. If you want maximum visibility and reef sharks, take the Pinzón snorkeling tour; for the classic landscape, the Bartolomé day tour; and for nesting birds at close range, the North Seymour day tour.
Santa Fe Tour Itinerary, Hour by Hour
08:00 AM — Meeting Point in Puerto Ayora
We meet at our central office in Puerto Ayora and transfer you to the pier to board the yacht. The crossing to Santa Fe takes about an hour, the shortest of any of our Santa Cruz day tours.
09:30 AM — Coastal Cruising & Birdwatching
We run along the rugged coastline of Santa Fe. From the deck you can watch reef fish near the surface and frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies on the rocks.
10:30 AM — Snorkeling with Sea Lions in Santa Fe Bay
The main event, and the longest section of the day. Into the bay with the sea lion colony: pups spiralling around snorkelers, sea turtles feeding, and whitetip reef sharks resting on the seabed below.
12:30 PM — Playa Escondida & Lunch
We navigate to “Playa Escondida” on the Santa Cruz coast. Conditions permitting we land on its cream-coloured sand, then lunch is served on board.
02:00 PM — Experiential Fishing & Return
On the way back to Puerto Ayora the captain may offer traditional pesca vivencial. Otherwise, the deck and the last of the sea breeze.
What’s Included
- ✓ English/Spanish Certified Guide
- ✓ Transfer to the Boarding Pier
- ✓ Fresh Lunch & Snacks
- ✓ Full Snorkeling Gear
- ✓ Long-sleeve Wetsuit
Not Included
- ✕ Soft Drinks and Alcoholic Beverages
- ✕ Tips and Personal Expenses
What to Bring on the Santa Fe Tour
Most of the day is spent in or on the water, with one possible beach landing:
- Swimwear – Wear it under your clothes; changing space on board is limited.
- Underwater Camera – The sea lions come close enough that this is the tour where it pays off.
- Sun Protection – Reef-safe sunscreen, a good hat, and sunglasses.
- Comfortable Sandals or Shoes – For the possible landing at Playa Escondida.
- Towel & Dry Clothes – To warm up after a long session in the water.
Santa Fe Tour: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I swim with sea lions on this tour?
Do we land on Santa Fe Island itself?
How long is the boat ride to Santa Fe Island?
Are the whitetip reef sharks dangerous?
Is this tour good for beginner snorkelers?
How many people will be on the boat?
Cancellation Policy for the Santa Fe Tour
• Full Refund: Guaranteed for cancellations made at least 15 days before the departure date.
• No Refund: Cancellations made within 14 days of the tour, or “No Shows”, will incur a 100% penalty.
• Weather Guarantee: If port authorities cancel departures due to extreme weather, we offer a full refund or free rescheduling.