Galapagos Islands Small Group Tours
Have you ever dreamed of snorkelling with actual penguins at Concha Perla, watching blue-footed boobies do their dance and kayaking Darwin Bay with sea lions swimming alongside? Take a Galapagos trip and explore Los Túneles' lava formations, Sierra Negra's massive crater, Kicker Rock, and the Darwin Research Station. The conservation-focused guides make every wildlife encounter feel meaningful.
10 best Galapagos Islands small group tours
Compiled by
MelissaGalapagos Islands travel expert at TourRadar
- The Wonders of Santa Cruz Island
- 4-Day Galapagos Island Hopping
- Galápagos Explorer - Guayaquil & Santa Cruz - 8 Days
- 7 Days on a Budget Galapagos Islands Tour in San Cristobal
- 6 Days Galapagos Highlights
- Nature and Adventure: 5 Days in Santa Cruz and Isabela
- Galapagos Outdoor 9 Days Tour
- 9 Days Galapagos Active Escape
- Galápagos Island Hopping (6 destinations)
- Luxury Galapagos 8 Days Tour
Duration 6 days Destinations Baltra Island, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Bartolomé Island, Pinzón Island Age Range Ages 6+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 6 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Authentic Ecuador From $2,850
4% Off- US$2,750You save $100
4-Day Galapagos Island Hopping
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The activities are really great and according to your interests. I highly recommend it.”
Nicole, traveled in July
Ten travelers per guide visit Los Túneles for intimate wildlife encounters. The small group setting enhances experiences at the Charles Darwin Station and Flamingo Lagoon, while speedboat transfers between islands create natural bonding opportunities.
Duration 4 days Destinations Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island Age Range Ages 12+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Rebecca Adventure Travel From
4% Off- US$1,082
Galápagos Explorer - Guayaquil & Santa Cruz - 8 Days
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Galapagos was amazing, so many memories.”
Roberto, traveled in June
Groups of 4-8 travelers visit Santa Cruz Island's highlights, from snorkeling at German Beach to hiking lava tunnels. Small numbers ensure quality time observing giant tortoises at Rancho Primicias and exploring Twin Craters. Bilingual guides provide detailed insights about Galapagos wildlife.
Duration 8 days Destinations Guayaquil, Santa Cruz Island, San Cristóbal Island Age Range Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Operator BM Tours From
4% Off- US$1,276
The archipelago adventure blends private moments at the Interpretation Center with small group excursions at Kicker Rock. Dedicated guide service for Tijeretas Hill frigate bird viewing, followed by Española Island wildlife spotting. Ideal for meaningful Galápagos connections.
Duration 7 days Destinations Quito, San Cristóbal Island Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 8 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Responsible Travel South America From
4% Off- US$1,560
Bilingual guides lead small groups through the Galapagos' natural wonders. Visitors snorkel alongside marine life at Tintoreras Islet, watch giant tortoises in Santa Cruz highlands, and walk Sierra Negra Volcano's vast crater with personalized attention.
Duration 6 days Destinations Baltra Island, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island Age Range Ages 8+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Responsible Travel South America From
4% Off- US$1,920
Nature and Adventure: 5 Days in Santa Cruz and Isabela
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour is definitely recommended for those people who love the pure nature and animals. The accommodation was very nice and the tour was very well planned and organized!”
Laurent, traveled in August
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 Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type Group Operator BM Tours From
4% Off- US$850
Galapagos Outdoor 9 Days Tour
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great communication throughout; new impressions every day; much wildlife; never a dull moment.”
Marion, 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 Ages 10+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator GUIDEcuador Travel From
4% Off- US$3,300+$690 local payments
Duration 9 days Destinations Quito, San Cristóbal Island, Isabela Island, Santa Cruz Island Age Range Ages 7+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Responsible Travel South America From
4% Off- US$3,700
Galápagos Island Hopping (6 destinations)
41 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour company was excellent. The itinerary was perfect.”
David, traveled in May
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 Ages 12+ Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Operator G Adventures From $3,399
10% Off- US$3,059You save $340
Luxury Galapagos 8 Days Tour
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Weather was awesome, the hotels were nice, thank you for everything!”
Amida, traveled in February
Private yacht tours to Los Tuneles and Kicker Rock offer intimate wildlife viewing with dedicated naturalist guides. Special access to Sierra Negra Volcano and Bartolome Island's Pinnacle Rock, plus luxury stays at Casa Marita and Blue Galapagos ensure personalized experiences.
Duration 8 days Destinations Quito, Baltra Island, Isabela Island, San Cristóbal Island, Santa Cruz Island, Bartolomé Island Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 8 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator GUIDEcuador Travel From
10% Off- US$7,900
Reviews of Small Group tours to Galapagos Islands
- The Wonders of Santa Cruz Island
Galapagos is an extraordinary place of natural beauty.. the landscape and wildlife are incredible. Unique for sure. Santa Cruz had great people, great food a great shops as well as amazing beaches. However remember it is the equator and very hot
Excellent trip and coordination , I never had to worry about getting picked up or dropped off . That made the fun, beauty and awesome experience e en better .
Galapagos Outdoor 9 Days Tour
- Galápagos Island Hopping (6 destinations)
The overall package was good. What I missed though is more substantial and detailed information about the country its society, politics, culture etc. in general. Guiding should be more than just providing information about the route and schedule but having the ability to provide profound information about the country visited. This is about the guide. Whn it comes to the program of G adventures I think the schedule could have been tighter so that we could have explored more of the islands.
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."