An alternative to Galápagos cruises and land-based tours leaving from Puerto Ayora or San Cristobal is to island hop, staying overnight in hotels and journeying in a smaller boat by day. Several companies offer this option, also called a hotel-based tour, but they are few and far between and will require a bit of digging to find.

Who Should Consider Island Hopping?

Island hopping is a favorite amongst backpackers and those with weak sea legs; it’s a good compromise between land-based tours and a cruise, as you will still be able to set out early in the morning to distant snorkel or hiking sites, rather than spending the majority of the day on the boat traveling back and forth from Santa Cruz.

Where to book

SurTrek, Galacruises and Yacu Amu (based in Quito), Olé Travel (based in the United States) and the more budget Sharksky Tours (based in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal) offer this type of hotel/boat combination package. Tours range between four and eight days. Land-based tours from Puerto Ayora are also possible, though you will see much less. Lucky tourists may even see dolphins while cruising from island to island.

Tour Companies
SurTrek (www.surtrek.com; Av Amazonas 897) offers a seven-day package for $1680.

SharkSky Tours (info(at)remove-this.sharksky.com, Tel: 05-252-0017, Cell: 593-99540596) Five day island-hopping tours for student groups start at $675 (minimum 8 people). Alternative eight-day tours ($677) are also offered, half of which is spent working on conservation projects and the other half touring the islands. Snorkeling day tours also available.

Olé Travel (US-Based, sales(at)remove-this.ole.travel, 1-800-559-5192) offers a six-day, five-night island-hopping tour for $1465 (based on double occupancy.)

 
Tour prices do not include flight to/from the islands ($410), the Galápagos National Park Entry Fee ($100) or the new Galápagos Transit Cards ($10).