Things to Do in the Galapagos Islands: 7 Unique Activities
The Galapagos Islands are world famous for rare wildlife and incredible island hopping to discover marine life. But there is far more to do here than snorkelling.
Here we take a look at our favourite and most unique activities, from cultural days and volcano hikes to dining in lava tunnels and spending a day at sea with an ex-fisherman. There is something to excite every member of the family, so you could easily fill two weeks and still find things to do. You can combine these on one of our tailor-made Galapagos holidays, and if you’re planning around the seasons, our guide to the best time to visit the Galapagos covers it month by month.
Written by Sam, Travel Differently’s founder and Galapagos specialist
Originally published 11th June 2024. Last updated 15th October 2026
1. Hike to the top of a Volcano
Where: Isabela Island · Height: 1,124 m · Effort: easy to medium · Best months: June to November, when it’s cooler and drier
The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most active volcanoes on the planet, so hiking one should be on everyone’s wish list. Sierra Negra on Isabela Island, rising to 1,124 metres, is an incredible sight and makes for a really exciting hike. The climb is an easy to medium challenge, as long as you have a decent base level of fitness, and your expert guide will be on hand to advise how best to tackle the day.
The hike usually starts early to make the most of the views. You’ll see otherworldly landscapes, wildlife and birds and, if you’re lucky, the occasional lava tube. The walk can include some morning fog and drizzle, but you should still see Galapagos hawks, finches, flycatchers and short-eared owls along the way. Reaching the rim of the crater, often described as the second largest in the world after Ngorongoro in Tanzania, you’ll be richly rewarded for your hard work. The crater is vast, the views are expansive, and photos rarely do it justice.
Finally, head towards the alien-like landscape of Volcan Chico, where you’ll find more amazing views along with lava tubes and fumaroles. Relax in the shade of a beautiful jaboncillo tree and have lunch while taking in the spectacular views over the central and northern parts of the island. The volcano is active, so plans may need to change on the day if there has been any recent activity. You can visit all year round, but you may prefer the cooler, drier months of June to November, and our Galapagos experts can plan your holiday around your preferred dates.
Include an exhilarating hike up Sierra Negra on our Ecuador and Galapagos Active Adventure Holiday , 17 days from £4,300pp
2. Sleep in a Giant Tortoise Reserve
Where: Santa Cruz · Stay in: safari tents, tree houses or suites · Suggested stay: a couple of nights
To really immerse yourself in nature and do it differently, we suggest a stay at Galapagos Magic Camp, where you can sleep in an actual giant tortoise reserve. The accommodation is on the simple side, with fewer frills than some of the 5* beach hotels on the islands, because here it’s all about the tortugas (Galapagos giant tortoises).
These magnificent, slow-moving animals are generally the main reason our guests want to travel to the Galapagos, and this is the place to watch hundreds of them roam in their natural habitat, undisturbed and unbothered by fascinated humans. Choose from a range of lodgings, including safari tents, tree houses and suites. A couple of nights is ideal, and it works well as a luxurious stay to combine with a cruise or an island-hopping Galapagos adventure.
Speak to our Galapagos experts about adding a stay at Galapagos Magic Camp to your holiday.
3. Cycle the Wall of Tears
Where: Isabela . Format: a guided day by bike
Want to try something really different? Set out on your bike with our expert guide for a day visiting the Wall of Tears, built by former prisoners. The landscape changes dramatically as the route progresses, from sandy paths to volcanic gravel and from white beaches to thick mangroves, and you may see giant tortoises slowly crossing your path. Keep an eye out for Mirador Cerro Orchilla, which gives an amazing lookout over the southern coast of the island.
At the Wall of Tears (El Muro de las Lágrimas), you’ll learn about the history of this sombre landmark, as inmates were forced to walk long distances to make the slabs for the wall. It’s a sobering but important place to visit, for the stunning views and varied landscapes but also to learn more about these unique islands and their history.
Cycle the Wall of Tears on our Amazon and Galapagos Wildlife Holiday , 14 days from £5,600pp
4. Snorkel with Sharks Penguins and Sealions
When: all year round, with slightly warmer seas from around January to March · Kit: wetsuit hire is usually available
One of the main draws of the islands is the chance to swim in crystal clear waters with some of the world’s most amazing sea creatures. Whether you choose a cruise or an island-based adventure, getting into the water will be a highlight. Your boat or hotel will typically offer wetsuit hire, and most have kayaks and snorkels available to use with your experienced guide.
It’s quite likely a playful sea lion pup will swim up close, a keen penguin may shoot past you, or a manta ray may glide elegantly into view, and you may be lucky enough to swim near one of the many species of shark found here. If you’d rather snorkel from a boat, our Galaxy Sirius review shows what a luxury cruise is like, and our guide to cruise vs island hopping will help you choose.
Our land-based Galapagos Island Hopping Adventure gives you plenty of chances to swim and snorkel with amazing wildlife (8 days from £2,720pp), or snorkel from a boat on our Responsible Galapagos Islands Cruise (11 days from £7,100pp).
5. Take a Boat Trip with an Ex-Fisherman
Format: a private full-day boat trip aboard the Niña Bella with a naturalist guide · Where: near one of the Galapagos’ most remote islands
Preserving and protecting the Galapagos ecosystems is essential, and responsible tourism has a key role to play. In recent years, fishermen have switched from fishing to sustainable tourism to help protect dwindling and precious fish supplies. It’s vital that people who switch trades can make a sustainable, long-term living, which is why one of the private tours we offer is a day with a local ex-fisherman.
Set out to sea on the Niña Bella with his welcoming crew and a knowledgeable naturalist guide for a full day exploring the waters near one of the Galapagos’ most remote islands. Sustainable tourism has transformed the islands, reshaping the local economy from subsistence fishing and small-scale agriculture to one where tourism employs around 40% of locals. Our partners on the ground have worked with local fishermen to transform their careers, for example from harvesting fish to showing visitors the Galapagos’ rich marine ecosystem while helping to preserve it. It’s a thrilling day out that also holds real value for the local environment and community.
Get fully immersed in the cultures and communities of the Galapagos on our best-selling Galapagos Island-Hopping Adventure, and read more about our approach to responsible travel.
6. Spend a Cultural Day on Santa Cruz
Where: Santa Cruz · Format: one day with a private guide and transport
Give yourself a day off from kayaking and discover the cultural quirks of the islands. This cultural expedition day is spent on Santa Cruz with your private guide and transport. You’ll visit the farming area of El Cascajo to learn about the traditional methods of coffee and sugar cane cultivation, see the small-scale production lines and try some of the handcrafted products.
The excursion then takes you to the Charles Darwin Research Station, the hub of scientific research in the Galapagos. You’ll learn about vital conservation and research projects in action, and how sensitive conservation efforts are managed and implemented. If you love wildlife and conservation, this is THE place to visit.
The day finishes with a visit to a wood workshop, where you can see first hand how local Galapagueño artists have dedicated their lives to the islands’ rare wood. Skilled craftsmen create pieces full of creativity and detail that reflect the natural beauty of the islands.
Add a cultural day on Santa Cruz to your Galapagos holiday. Speak to our experts about including it in your tailor-made itinerary.
7. Dine in Lava Tunnels
Where: Galapagos Magic Camp · Good for: romantic evenings, birthdays and one-off dinners
A nod again to the wonderful Galapagos Magic Camp, where you can dine in lava tunnels. This one-off experience is a fantastic way to experience the formations without being rushed on a typical day trip. You enjoy a meal and drinks at leisure in an unreal natural setting, with really tasty food and an excellent selection of wine.
We’ve booked this experience for guests looking to add a romantic evening, for those celebrating a birthday, and for those who love eating in unusual one-off places. The acoustics, the light, the sounds and the smells all add up to a different way of experiencing the volcanic beauty of the islands. It’s an unusual add-on to a Galapagos holiday, and a memorable one.
Speak to our Galapagos experts about adding a lava tunnel dinner to your itinerary.
More Ways to Experience the Islands
These seven are our most unusual picks, but a Galapagos holiday has plenty more to offer. On our own cruise we kayaked and stand up paddleboarded, took short and long guided walks, photographed a nest of blue-footed boobies and even jumped into a lava tube. You can read how it all works day to day in our Galaxy Sirius review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our favourite unusual activities are hiking Sierra Negra volcano, sleeping in a giant tortoise reserve, cycling the Wall of Tears, snorkelling with sea lions, penguins and sharks, spending a day at sea with an ex-fisherman, taking a cultural day on Santa Cruz and dining in lava tunnels. Kayaking, stand up paddleboarding and guided wildlife walks are also popular.
Plenty. You can hike a volcano, cycle to the Wall of Tears, stay in a giant tortoise reserve, take a boat trip with a former fisherman, visit coffee and sugar cane farms and the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz, or dine in a lava tunnel.
Yes. Sierra Negra on Isabela Island rises to 1,124 metres and is an easy to medium hike for anyone with a decent base level of fitness, with a guide throughout. The crater is often described as the second largest in the world after Ngorongoro, and the cooler, drier months of June to November are the most comfortable.
The Wall of Tears (El Muro de las Lágrimas) is a sombre landmark built by former prisoners, who were forced to walk long distances to make the slabs for the wall. Guests visit it on a guided bike ride that passes beaches, mangroves and a lookout over the southern coast of the island.
You can visit all year round. The cooler, drier months of June to November suit hiking Sierra Negra, and from around January to March the seas are slightly warmer for snorkelling. Our guide to the best time to visit the Galapagos covers each month.
Yes. At Galapagos Magic Camp you can stay in safari tents, tree houses or suites inside a reserve where hundreds of giant tortoises roam freely. A couple of nights works well alongside a cruise or an island-hopping trip.
Putting Your Galapagos Days Together
A Galapagos holiday really does have it all, from incredible wildlife and learning about conservation to snorkelling, cultural days and volcano hikes. There is an activity to suit every member of the family, and easily enough to fill a two-week trip. Many guests mix time on a boat with a few nights on land, and if you’re still deciding between the two, our guide to cruise vs island hopping will help.
For a once-in-a-lifetime Galapagos holiday filled with thrilling activities, contact our team today to arrange your bespoke adventure.
Why Book With Travel Differently
Passionate and experienced
- Each member of the team has over a decade of experience in the industry
- Our 5* client reviews reflect our service & standards
- We are a fully independent & owner-run tour operator
- Our holidays include full financial protection & ATOL coverage
- We are destination experts, ensuring authentic & reliable advice
Committed and Responsible
Tailor-made and Personal
- No two trips are the same, our holidays are 100% bespoke
- We design personal, genuine cultural connections & experiences
- From planning to travel, you’ll have one dedicated point of contact
- Our support is available around the clock during your holiday
- We take care of the details, so you don’t have to