Galapagos land based explorer

There are so many ways for you to make the most of your visit to the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel, whether it’s enjoying the hotel itself, designing your own adventure or choosing one of our carefully curated programs.

You could read a book by the freshwater swimming pool, or contemplate life among the mangroves… You could feel the rush of adrenalin riding the surf, or the rush of the wind riding a bike downhill towards the shore… You could be amazed with child-like awe at the array of iconic creatures and other-worldly landscapes… You could open up new realms of discovery just by putting your head underwater while snorkelling from our beach or from our private yacht.

Exclusive Day Tours

Marvel at the beauty of the Galapagos’ Central Islands aboard our very own Sea Lion Yacht – one of only 12 yachts in the Galapagos that offers day tours to the Galapagos National Park in the company of certi?ed Naturalist Guides. In addition to offering exclusive Day Tours, each of which is limited to 20 guests, you’ll embark on a Galapagos Day Tour like no other!

Activities from the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel

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Activities from the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel Spa

Activities from the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel Surf

Giant tortoise reserve located in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. The area is teeming with life: woodpeckers, mockingbirds, flycatchers, ducks, and gallinules make this an exciting morning visit. The Galapagos giant tortoise is the largest living tortoise species, weighing up to 250 kg (550 lb). These gentle giants can be seen grazing on the surrounding vegetation, wallowing in muddy banks, or in a small red-colored pond (impressively colored by surface red pondweeds).

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Wildlife observation is the main reason why so many people choose to visit the archipelago. Nowhere else can we observe animals so closely and calmly. Galapagos’ iconic wildlife provides a fantastic opportunity to see their daily lives. As we journey through the islands’ haunting volcanic landscapes, we find inspiration in the unique endemic species that have evolved in unexpected ways. And, from your base at the hotel, you can encounter many of the Galapagos’ BIG15.

Credit: south_plaza_expeditions

Activities from the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel

Activities from the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel Exploring

Activities from the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel Experience

Activities from the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel Santa Cruz - Bachas Beach

Our kayaking program takes place in Divine Bay, a beautiful location with protected waters that make for a pleasant trip. We leave when the tide is high from Playa de Los Alemanes (German Beach), located by Finch Bay – one of the advantages of staying at the only beach-front hotel in Santa Cruz! Paddling around the waters of the Marine Reserve is a great way to get some exercise and spot unique endemic wildlife. Birds rest on the cliffs that form the edges of the islands. Sea lions and their pups lie meters away on the beaches.

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Activities from the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel Expeditions

Floreana Arrival

This peaceful island is home to the Galapagos’ smallest population, only 150 people, and is also the least developed and most natural of the four inhabited islands. Once a pirates’ lair, Floreana was the first inhabited island in the Galapagos and descendents of the original population still live here together with the mysterious tales and legends that surround their ancestors.

On Floreana we will be hiking, learning about the fascinating history of the local people, and seeing some of the Galapagos special wildlife (giant tortoises, frigate birds, Darwin's finches, sea lions, and petrels). We check in at our lodge overlooking the Galapagos’ most beautiful and secluded bay.

After that we will walk for 30 minutes towards La Loberia (a sea lion breeding ground) and then for our first marine encounter, snorkeling and swimming in the warm bright water with sea turtles, sea lions, spectacular rays and lots of shimmering fishes In the afternoon we return to the lodge for a nice warm shower and recommend dinner in the village.

Night Activity (weather permitting): star gazing

Overnight stay in Lava Lodge

Meals: Not included

Day 2: Exploring the Floreana Highlands

After breakfast we leave to explore the Floreana highlands on our open-air bus (chiva), an unbeatable, historic, and comfortable way to see the island.

On the way our Naturalist Guide will point out the wildlife and give us an idea of the colorful history of some of Floreana's first inhabitants, such as the Wittmers (whose descendents still live on the Island), the ‘Baroness’, and the pirates that once visited here. They will also tell you about the "Enigma of Floreana", involving the mysterious deaths of several of the Island´s inhabitants, a riddle that has never been solved.

After driving into the highlands, we reach Asilo de la Paz (Peace Haven) where our hike begins. We walk up to this historic site, explore pirate caves, and visit the freshwater spring that provides water for the entire Island. Along the way, you can expect to see giant tortoises lumbering around in the vegetation or even on the trail. We leave Asilo de Paz walking down through a rural area where the local people grow produce for their own consumption: this is a fascinating example about how these island people survived in this remote place and over the years were able to develop an understanding of the local environment and now work to preserve their unique agricultural knowledge.

Once back on the coast we will be able to watch the extraordinary behavior of the frigate birds who ‘dance’ as they wash their salty wings in the fresh water. With a little bit of luck, we may be able to see males puffing up the red pouches on their chests in an attempt to attract females.

From La Primavera we continue by Chiva down towards Las Palmas, where the Island’s first permanent inhabitant, the eccentric Dr Ritter, lived and is buried. Arriving in 1926, this German physician believed that with a combination of exercise and the right vegetarian diet he would live to be 150 years old. He didn´t, but his story is one of the many strange episodes that still abound on the island. On the way we will see spectacular views of the Floreana shoreline, and on arrival sit down to a special BBQ.

Overnight stay in Lava Lodge

Meals: B, Special BBQ

Day 3 - Marine Exploration

Today is time for some marine exploration, snorkeling, kayaking and stand up paddling, SUP, our newest water activity. It is lots of fun, so come and learn how to walk on water. There is time for a quick lunch (not included) on your preferred restaurant in the community and return via speed boat towards Puerto Ayora.

Please note that you may need to consider additional services in Santa Cruz before your flight back to the continent via Baltra.

Meals: B