Galapagos Islands Small Group Tours
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10 best Galapagos Islands small group tours
Compiled by
MelissaGalapagos Islands travel expert at TourRadar
- 9 Days Galapagos Active Escape
- Discover the best of Santa Cruz in a basic 4 days and 3 nights tour!
- Nature and Adventure: 5 Days in Santa Cruz and Isabela
- Galapagos Essentials
- Magical Galapagos (5 Days)
- GALAPAGOS DISCOVERY TOUR 4 NIGHTS / 5 DAYS
- Aqua Mare Luxury Yacht 8 Days
- Galápagos Island Hopping (6 destinations)
- Galapagos Outdoor 9 Days Tour
- Fly Galapagos Unique 9 Days Tour
Duration 9 days Destinations Quito, San Cristóbal Island, Isabela Island, Santa Cruz Island Age Range 7 to 80 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Responsible Travel South America From
- NZ$6,173
Discover the best of Santa Cruz in a basic 4 days and 3 nights tour!
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The islands are a step back in time. Felt like we were in a Jurassic parks movie with giant turtles iguanas and seals.”
Meeta, traveled in December
Small groups of 8-12 visitors uncover Santa Cruz Island's wonders. The limited numbers enable up-close encounters at the Charles Darwin Research Centre's tortoise sanctuary and personalized guidance through the volcanic Lava Tunnels and pristine Las Grietas.
Duration 4 days Destinations Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Puerto Ayora Age Range 3 to 65 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator BM Tours From
- NZ$876
Groups averaging 43 years old share Galapagos' diverse ecosystems. Visitors witness wildlife at Tintoreras Islet's shark channels and flamingo-rich wetlands near Puerto Villamil, while observing giant tortoises at Charles Darwin Station.
Duration 5 days Destinations Baltra Island, Isabela Island, Las Tintoreras Islet, Santa Cruz Island Age Range 3 to 60 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Operator BM Tours From
- NZ$1,694
Galapagos Essentials
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Very well organized tour, well-balanced itinerary with lots of free time to explore.”
Oddbjoern, traveled in April
Intimate groups (under 12 people) guarantee close wildlife encounters across Galapagos. While snorkeling at Academy Bay or hiking Santa Cruz highlands, certified naturalist guides provide personalized attention for both solo travelers and couples.
Duration 7 days Destinations Quito, Santa Cruz Island, San Cristóbal Island, Lobos Island Age Range 8 to 89 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Operator Adventure Journeys From
- NZ$1,836
Magical Galapagos (5 Days)
11 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Highly recommend to anyone looking for a short trip to the Galapagos. The food included in the tour was also great.”
Sara, traveled in July
Groups of 5-9 explorers make wildlife viewing perfect at Tintoreras Islet and Las Grietas. Small boat capacities of 10-16 ensure exclusive snorkeling experiences with sea lions and turtles. Personal guidance enhances visits to Santa Cruz's Giant Tortoise reserve.
Duration 5 days Destinations Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island, Santa Fé Island Age Range 5 to 66 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Cami Adventures From
- NZ$1,742
GALAPAGOS DISCOVERY TOUR 4 NIGHTS / 5 DAYS
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“I liked the mix of activities, and mix of guides.”
Danny, traveled in March
Small groups visit Galapagos highlights with bilingual naturalist guides. Shared speedboat services connect main islands, while limited numbers ensure quality wildlife viewing at Las Tintoreras and Tortuga Bay. Four nights at Grand Hotel León Marino in Puerto Ayora serve as base for daily excursions.
Duration 5 days Destinations Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island, Pinzón Island Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Operator Via Natura Ecuador From
- NZ$3,296
The Aqua Mare carries just 14 passengers, offering prime viewing of marine iguanas at Moreno Point and flamingos at Cormorant Point. Small groups receive personal attention during snorkeling sessions at Urbina Bay and wildlife walks on Fernandina Island.
Duration 8 days Destinations Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Floreana Island, Isabela Island, Fernandina Island, Santiago Island, Rabida Island, Seymour Norte, Daphne Island Age Range 5 to 80 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 14 Group Type Group Operator GUIDEcuador Travel From
- NZ$21,026
Galápagos Island Hopping (6 destinations)
40 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great itinerary across Galapagos islands and unusual New Year celebrations in the remote Floreana island.”
Ciro, traveled in December
Groups of 12-14 travelers make for perfect wildlife encounters. The setting ensures quality time at the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre, snorkeling at Loberia, and hiking Sierra Negra Volcano. Personalized attention from certified naturalist guides across 6 destinations.
Duration 9 days Destinations Quito, Santa Cruz Island, Floreana Island, Isabela Island Age Range 12 to 99 year olds Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Operator G Adventures From $4,999
25% Off- NZ$3,749You save $1,249
Galapagos Outdoor 9 Days Tour
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We had a wonderful week at the Galapagos Islands. I couldn't believe how easy it was.”
Albert, traveled in December
Groups of 8-12 travelers share intimate wildlife encounters at Kicker Rock and Tintoreras Islet. Small speedboats facilitate agile navigation between San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, and Isabela Islands, with expert naturalist guides providing personal attention.
Duration 9 days Destinations Quito, San Cristóbal Island, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island, Bartolomé Island, Baltra Island Age Range 10 to 80 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator GUIDEcuador Travel From
25% Off- NZ$5,507+$1,151 local payments
Fly Galapagos Unique 9 Days Tour
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The pre-trip documentation was superb, and our accommodations as well as the service provided was beyond First Class.”
WendyGrants, traveled in December
A maximum of 12 travelers ensures intimate wildlife encounters at iconic sites like Kicker Rock and Los Tuneles. Small group size allows for personalized guidance at the Charles Darwin Station and comfortable stays at boutique hotels including Casa de Marita and Casa Opuntia.
Duration 9 days Destinations Quito, Baltra Island, Isabela Island, San Cristóbal Island, Santa Cruz Island, Bartolomé Island, Santa Fé Island Age Range 4 to 80 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 9 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator GUIDEcuador Travel From
25% Off- NZ$8,327+$1,051 local payments
Reviews of Small Group tours to Galapagos Islands
- Galapagos Essentials
An excellent trip with a very knowledgeable guide who spoke clearly and engagingly about the geography, history and the fauna if this beautiful landscape
Great tour! Highly recommend to anyone looking for a short trip to the Galapagos. Our activities included snorkeling multiples times with sea lions, sea turtles, sharks and many different exotic schools of fish. We also went to two different tortoise sanctuaries, a flamingo watering hole and even saw a few penguins! The food included in the tour was also great.
Magical Galapagos (5 Days)
- Ultimate Galapagos: Central Islands (Grand Daphne)
I booked Intrepid's 'Ultimate Galapagos' tour and went in 2017. Whilst the tour was great, it was somewhat blighted by the aircon in our room on the boat being broken, meaning our room smelt so strongly we couldn't keep the door closed for long periods of time and woke up to an unpleasant stench every morning (we had to close the door to sleep). We also woke up to dripping wet walls and soggy belonging as it leaked a lot. We flagged this when we got on the boat as the smell was unmissable, the crew (who were lovely) advised this was an issue with the room that couldn't be fixed during our stay unfortunately as it needed to be taken to another island. So we made the best of it, constantly hung our clothes off the back of the boat to dry them to wear the next day, and kept our door open as much as possible, as there was no alternative. When I got back I naturally picked this up with Intrepid, being disappointed that this was a known issue not flagged or fixed before our stay, on the holiday of a lifetime. Especially given we'd paid more for a top deck room, which turned out to be far worse than the cheaper rooms on the lower deck (which didn't have broken aircon). Intrepid offered a 15% discount if I booked with them again, given they are constantly promoting discounts this isn't helpful. Plus given the experience I had with them, there was no way I was going to consider booking my next holiday (for my 30th) with them, and risking another subpar experience (compared to the other guests and advertised trip) just for a discount. I suspect I was just unlucky, and the Galapagos itself was amazing, but it was very annoying having wet belongings and a very unpleasant smelling room for the whole 8 days, and I'd have expected them to handle it better on such an expensive tour. Overall disappointed with Interpid's customer service.
What our customers ask about Galapagos Islands Small Group Tours
What accommodation types are available on small group Galapagos tours?
Small group Galapagos tours provide accommodations ranging from upscale boutique hotels to well-equipped expedition vessels. The Casa Marita on Isabela Island and Blue Galapagos Hotel on Santa Cruz Island represent the higher end with ocean views and personalized service. According to a TourRadar traveler: "The hotels selected were high end hotels (4*) with buffet breakfast rooms and ambiance were perfect for our small group experience."
How far in advance should I book a small group Galapagos tour?
Planning ahead is essential for Galapagos small group tours particularly for sought-after vessels like the Galapagos Petrel or popular hotels such as Casa Marita. The typical booking window spans 6-12 months with data showing an average lead time of 575 days between initial inquiry and departure. A TourRadar traveler notes: "Book well ahead for small group tours to get your preferred dates and accommodation options."
What is the best time of year for small group tours in Galapagos?
The Galapagos welcomes visitors throughout the year. December through May brings warmer temperatures and calmer waters making it ideal for water activities at Kicker Rock and Los Tuneles. Wildlife viewing peaks from June to November especially around Sierra Negra Volcano and the Charles Darwin Station. A TourRadar traveler shares: "The warmer season was perfect for our small group as we could maximize our snorkeling time and enjoy clearer visibility."
What dining arrangements are typical for small group tours in Galapagos?
Most tours include breakfast at partner hotels like Deja Vú Hotel or Cormorant Beach House and lunch during day trips. Dinner arrangements are often flexible letting guests explore restaurants in Puerto Ayora and Puerto Villamil. One TourRadar traveler notes: "The food included in the tour was great especially the fresh seafood lunches during boat excursions."
How does transportation work between islands on small group tours?
Inter-island travel combines speedboat services and small aircraft. The journey from Santa Cruz to Isabela takes approximately 2.5 hours by boat while flights between Baltra and Isabela run about 40 minutes. A TourRadar traveler suggests: "Sit up top with the captain during boat transfers to avoid seasickness and enjoy better views of the marine life."
How does a small group experience enhance wildlife viewing in the Galapagos?
Small groups create better conditions for observing wildlife without disruption. This setup allows closer encounters with blue-footed boobies at Isla Lobos and marine iguanas at Punta Espinoza. A TourRadar traveler reports: "Having a smaller group meant we could quietly observe Galapagos penguins and snorkel with sea turtles without scaring them away - our naturalist guide could really take time explaining everything."