Galapagos Snorkeling for Non-Divers

Not everyone on a dive trip dives. The good news is that Galapagos snorkeling is outstanding: sea lions, turtles, rays and colorful fish are often found in shallow water close to shore. This guide is for divers traveling with non-divers, and for anyone who wants to see the underwater Galapagos without a tank. It lists well-known snorkel spots near each of the three main towns.

Santa Cruz (Puerto Ayora)

• Las Grietas: a narrow channel of clear water between steep lava walls, reached by a short boat ride and a walk from Puerto Ayora. Good for fish and the scenery.
• Tortuga Bay: a long walk or boat ride from town. The sheltered bay at one end, Playa Mansa, has calm water where you may see turtles and rays.
• Day tours to nearby islands often include a snorkel stop with sea lions.

Isabela (Puerto Villamil)

• Concha de Perla: a calm, sheltered lagoon reached by a boardwalk near the port, often visited by sea lions, turtles and penguins.
• Los Túneles: a boat tour to a maze of lava arches and channels, known for turtles, rays and white-tip reef sharks resting in the shallows.

San Cristóbal (Puerto Baquerizo Moreno)

• Playa Mann and La Lobería: beaches near town with sea lions on the sand and in the water.
• Kicker Rock: one of the best snorkel trips in the islands, with turtles, rays and often sharks below. Many trips take divers and snorkelers on the same boat; see our Kicker Rock diving guide.

Snorkel Tours vs Snorkeling from Shore

Some spots, such as Concha de Perla and the beaches near Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, can be reached on foot. Others, including Los Túneles, Kicker Rock and the islands near Santa Cruz, need a licensed tour boat with a guide. Tours are also the easiest way for non-divers to join divers for the day: book a boat that takes both. Our Galapagos dive travel guide explains how to move between islands.

Tips for Snorkeling in the Galapagos

• Wear a wetsuit. The water can be cool, especially from June to November. A shorty or full suit makes snorkeling much more comfortable; our Galapagos scuba gear guide has advice.
• Bring your own mask if you have one that fits well.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen and cover up with a rash guard.
• Follow the wildlife rules. Do not touch or chase animals; see Galapagos diving rules and park regulations.
• Check conditions. Some spots are calm only at certain tides or in certain seasons.

Planning Around a Diver

If one of you dives and the other snorkels, choose a base with options for both. Santa Cruz has the most dive operators and snorkel tours, while San Cristóbal offers Kicker Rock trips for both. Our Galapagos accommodations page lists hotels on each island, and the Galapagos restaurants page covers where to meet up for dinner after the day's outings.

What You Might See While Snorkeling

• Sea lions, often playful and curious in shallow water.
• Green sea turtles grazing on algae on rocks.
• Marine iguanas, the world's only ocean-going lizards, feeding on algae in shallow water.
• Galapagos penguins, mainly around Isabela and the western islands.
• Rays and white-tip reef sharks resting in sandy channels.
• Reef fish such as parrotfish and surgeonfish.

Our guide to Galapagos marine life explains each species in more detail.

Which Island to Choose as a Non-Diver

Isabela is the most relaxed base for snorkelers, with Concha de Perla close to town. San Cristóbal offers beaches with sea lions and Kicker Rock trips that suit mixed groups. Santa Cruz has the widest choice of tours and restaurants and is the best base if one person in the group wants to dive most days.

Staying Safe in the Water

Ocean conditions in the Galapagos can change quickly. Swim with a buddy, stay within the areas your guide or local signs recommend, and get out of the water if you feel cold or tired. Strong currents can form at some beaches, so ask locally before swimming at a new spot, and keep an eye on the tide.

Related guide: Galapagos restaurants by island.