Ecuador Snorkeling 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.

This was the trip of a lifetime. I was so excited to see so many birds, fish and animals unique to the islands. The selection of islands we visited was wonderful with each providing their own unique experience. I love GAdventures small group size and the use of local guides who are so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the areas being visited.

One of the best trips of my life. From the ease of booking, to the wonderful guide, and the incredible group of people that were on this trip, everything was amazing.

Expectations were 10/10 for coming to the Galapagos, and it lived up to the hype. The Galapagos was the best aquatic experience of anywhere we've visited in the entire world (better than Great Barrier Reef, Maldives, Hawaii, or Belize), and we particularly loved the abundance of MASSIVE sea turtles--though the hammerhead sharks at Kicker Rock were a close second. The hundreds of sea lions on San Cristobal especially were awesome to swim and hang out on the beach with, and the many wild tortoises, iguanas, and blue footed boobies on Isabela were amazing too. Food was moderately priced, accommodations were nicer than expected (all with AC and Wifi), and our guide, Jose, was the best person we could have asked for. Would highly recommend to anyone interested in the world's best snorkeling experience!