Ecuador Marine wildlife Trips

This journey through Ecuador showcases its dramatic landscapes, unique wildlife, and warm local culture. What makes it especially compelling is the opportunity to experience the country as locals do, staying in locally run accommodations rather than traditional cruises, particularly in the Galapagos, offers a more authentic and often overlooked perspective. The Galapagos feels incredibly safe and close‑knit, with a strong sense of community that stands out alongside the extraordinary wildlife.

From beginning to end this was a fabulous holiday! The ship and its crew were amazing. Spotlessly clean and always attentive 5 days aboard this ship was a great pleasure. The food was 5* all the way, delicious and plentiful, with frequent snacks and creative juices at every break. The tour was well paced with loads of activities, hiking and snorkeling and informative talks. The naturalist guide, Carlos, was one of the best. Enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable, he is passionate about the Galapagos and maintaining it pristine qualities. Wild life was abundant and snorkelling with fish, turtles and even penguins.. it was a trip of a life time. The chef was very attentive to my restrictive diet, being celiac. Did I mention the food??? First class all the way!

Ecuador was truly a holiday of two halves. Mainland Ecuador was beautiful to explore, but the Galápagos was an absolutely unforgettable experience. I could have easily spent two weeks there. The wildlife was incredible, with so much to see and experience. Swimming with large sea turtles was a real highlight, and I still can’t quite believe it happened. Watching the birds, playful sea lions, sharks, and iguanas up close felt completely surreal. It would have been nice to see Kicker Rock, but I understand that sightings of hammerhead sharks can be hit or miss. I did feel, however, that the physical rating for this trip wasn’t entirely accurate. It was listed as Easy to Moderate, but I think it should be highlighted more clearly as closer to a level 2 to 3. Our group included a mix of ages, four under 50 and the rest over 60, and many found the hiking, snorkelling, and walking over uneven volcanic rock quite challenging. Despite that, everyone was an absolute joy to travel with, such a great group. The guides were fantastic, but Richard, our Galápagos guide, truly stood out. From the moment we arrived, he made us feel welcome in his home country. His knowledge, enthusiasm, and great sense of humour made every day special, and by the end of the trip, we felt like one big family. Richard’s organisation was exceptional. His daily updates and schedules on WhatsApp kept everyone informed, and he shared wonderful group photos, wildlife pictures, and videos throughout the trip. We always felt safe with him, especially during snorkelling excursions. He was constantly smiling, approachable, and full of positive energy. He even ended the trip with a thoughtful gesture, gifting each of us a Galápagos Islands fridge magnet, which was such a lovely touch. Overall, an absolutely outstanding trip and experience truly unforgettable.

It was exceptional and a once in a life time adventure. We felt taken care of and safe. And the knowledge that Omar shared was outstanding. We learned something new every day. Thanks to Omar and the amazing crew!

The western islands itinerary in the Galapagos aboard the Reina Silvia with Omar Medina as our guide was one of the best trips I've taken, in more than 50 countries over the past 25 years. We saw incredible wildlife - at least 1 or 2 new species each day! - and spectacular landscapes, and we really had time to explore in different ways and take it all in. Omar and the crew of the Reina Silvia took such good care of us in every way and made our adventure safe, fun and memorable. Our group of 16 was fantastic - we've made some true friends, and are already making plans to see each other again. I can't recommend this trip highly enough... just wish there was an option for smaller meal portions (for those of us who are smaller people), since I felt bad wasting such delicious food. The trip was epic, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

This was an amazing trip to an amazing place. My experience with gadventures is really determined by the quality of your CEO's. Venus Gallo was excellent in every possible way. She was professional, enthusiastic and knowledgeable at all times.