Galapagos Turtle

Galapagos Turtle - A permanent guest

The Galapagos Archipelago provides important nesting grounds for the turtles. From In November, the turtles travel from the Pacific to the Galapagos. Four different species of turtles also have permanent homes in the waters of the Galapagos Islands:

Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Hawksbill turtle (Eretmachelys imbricata)

Olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)

Leatherback sea turtle (Dermachelys cariacea)

Turtles can grow to become extremely big and heavy. The heaviest turtle can weigh up to 400 kg, although that is hardly noticeable when they are able to swim so quickly and swiftly. The age of turtles are still undergoing extensive research but one may assume that they can live up to 120 years old! To plan your trip better, check out our Galapagos Islands monthly animal activities poster.

A green sea turtle swims in the warm waters in the Galapagos Islands

Habitat and Diet

The turtles often populate the underwater world in huge numbers. However, they are generally solitary creatures and only return to their home once every two years to mate with other turtles. Female turtles often mate with more than one partner. They lay their eggs in November when it is dark. After finding their desired spot for nesting, they would dig a hole in the sand with their hind legs. After laying around 100 eggs, they would close the hold and remove traces of their track. The sun plays a crucial role in incubating the eggs. Eggs that are incubated above 30 degrees Celsius will produce females while males are produced with temperatures below 30 degrees Celsius. Around mid-April, the eggs will begin to hatch. Their biggest threat is the Galapagos hawk as vulnerable hatchlings make their way from their nest to the waters.

Species Protection

The Galapagos turtle is currently not considered to be endangered. However, they are still protected by the Galapagos marine national park.

Advice for Visitors:

The Galapagos turtles can be seen all-year-round in the Galapagos Archipelago while snorkelling and diving.

✪ Galapagos Islands Tours ✪

Sea Lion Family

Best Seller: Galapagos Family Tour (from 5 days)

Duration: 4 - 8 days
Highlights: Galapagos Island Hopping, Santa Cruz Island, Giant Tortoises in the Highlands, Land Iguanas on Seymour, Blue-Footed Boobies and Frigatebirds, Tortuga Bay, Bay Tours around Santa Cruz Islands, Charles Darwin Station

5 Days and 4 Nights: Galapagos family tour featuring 4 islands. Family-friendly hotels and excursions

From 1010,- USD
Price per pax
Animal Encounters

Galapagos Island Hopping with Children

Duration: 7 - 9 days
Highlights: Penguins, Sea Lions, Giant Tortoises in the Highlands, Land Iguanas on Seymour, Blue Footed Boobies and Frigate Birds, White Sand Beaches

Child-friendly accommodation and exciting excursions for the whole family including animal encounters on Isabela Island

From 1360,- USD
Price per pax
Wittmer Statue on Floreana Island

Galapagos Island Hopping: Settlers Trail

Duration: 7 - 9 days
Highlights: Santa Cruz Island, Floreana Island, Pirate Cove, Giant Tortoises in the Highlands, Land Iguanas in Plaza Sur , History of the early settlers, Charles Darwin Station, Bartolomé Island

Galapagos Explorer - 5 Islands - Stay with the descendants of the first settlers

From 1410,- USD
Price per pax
Golondrina I

Galapagos Island Cruise on a Budget

Duration: 8 - 14 days
Highlights: 5 Routes to Choose, Magical Landscapes, Selection of Hand-Picked Cruises, To and From Baltra Island, Includes Quito Hotel, Includes Domestic Flight, Includes Cruise, Includes All Meals During Cruise, Includes All Excursions, Includes Transfers, English Speaking Guides, Individual Tour Connections

Enjoy the perfect Galapagos experience with a short cruise on a basic ship.

From 2030,- USD
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Incredible Snorkelling

Galapagos's Best Snorkelling Tour

Duration: 11 - 14 days
Highlights: Kicker Rock, Pizón - Santa Fé, Los Tuneles, Las Tintoreras, North Seymour and Las Bachas, Charles Darwin Station

Snorkelling in the paradise of the Galapagos - visit the Galapagos Islands and discover 7 unique islands

From 2060,- USD
Price per pax
Friendly Locals on Isabela Island

Galapagos island hopping - mission paradise

Duration: 15 - 15 days
Highlights: San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, Isabela - 7 days, Santa Cruz, English Speaking Guides, Charming Hotels , English Speaking Hosts, Including Domestic Flights, Including Inter-Island Flights, Including Speedboat Tickets, Including Transfers, Excluding Day Excursions, Prebook Your Day Excursions Now

Intensive tour - best route - choose excursions and hotels individually - natural beach on Isabela - german/english

From 2060,- USD
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Sea Lions on Isabela Island

Galapagos Island Hopping - Mission Paradise on a budget

Duration: 12 - 14 days
Highlights: Santa Cruz, Isabela - 7 days, Charming Hotels , Including Speedboat Tickets, Including Transfers, Excluding Day Excursions

Galapagos Pro offers 15 days in paradise - best routes, customised excursions and hotels, gorgeous beaches

From 2130,- USD
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Albatross couple

Galapagos Cruise: Southern Albatross Route

Duration: 7 - 7 days
Highlights: Post Office Bay, Snorkelling the Devil's Crown, Albatross Island - Española, Return flight to Guayaquil, Sea Lions, Return flights to Guayaquil

See the unique Galapagos albatrosses on Española during this journey through the southern archipelago.

From 2220,- USD
Price per pax
Ikala Galapagos Hotel

Galapagos Island Hopping Deluxe: Santa Cruz and Isabela

Duration: 8 - 10 days
Highlights: Ikala Hotel, Iguana Crossing Hotel, Land iguanas on Seymour, Blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds, White sand beaches, Penguins at the equator, Hike the volcano, Expert nature guides, Luxury excursion boats

Luxury abounds in the gorgeous Galapagos Islands, where nature dominates the landscape

From 2310,- USD
Price per pax
Galapagos Legend

Galapagos Cruise: Smoother Sailing Tours

Duration: 9 - 15 days
Highlights: Large stable ships, Onboard doctors, All Routes, English Speaking guides

Don't let seasickness hold you back! Choose from the finest large ships with maximum stability and terrific itineraries.

From 3350,- USD
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Kayak in the Andes

Ecuador & Galapagos Multi-Sport Tour

Duration: 16 - 21 days
Highlights: Quito - Cultural World Heritage, Horseback Riding, Llanganates National Park, Waterfalls at Baños, Hiking at the Cuicocha Lake, North Seymour Island, Pinnacle Rock, Bartolomé, Penguins on Isabela Island

Get ready to get your heart pumping and sweat it out as you kayak, mountain bike, raft and snorkel in

From 3430,- USD
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Breath-taking Panoramic view

Ecuador Volcano Trekking Adventure Tour

Duration: 16 - 21 days
Highlights: Quito - Cultural World Heritage, Camping, Bike Tours, Waterfalls at Baños, North Seymour Island, Pinnacle Rock, Bartolomé, Hiking the Sierra Negra Volcano, Penguins on Isabela Island

Travel Ecuador and Galapagos the adventurous way as you conquer the volcanic terrain.

From 3430,- USD
Price per pax
Rafting

Adrenaline Rush: Ecuador and Galapagos

Duration: 16 - 21 days
Highlights: Volcanoe, Amazon Rainforest, Swing at the End of the World, Baños, Camping, Horseback Riding, Llanganates National Park, Bike Tours, Waterfalls at Baños, Hiking at the Cuicocha Lake, North Seymour Island, Pinnacle Rock, Bartolomé, Hiking the Sierra Negra Volcano, Penguins on Isabela Island

Get your heart pumping and keep your mind open - travel Ecuador and Galapagos the adventurous way.

From 3430,- USD
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Traveling With Your Nature Guide

Ecuador and Galapagos: Compact Tour

Duration: 14 - 18 days
Highlights: Cultural World Heritage, Quito, Otavalo Markets, Avenue of Volcanoes, Shaman Experience, Devil's Nose, Cotopaxi National Park, Ingapirca - Inca ruins, Cajas National Park, Guayaquil, Galapagos Islands , Santa Cruz Island, North Seymour, Isabela

Ecuador's most beautiful places - the majestic Andes, lush Amazon Rainforest and enchanting Galapagos islands

From 3460,- USD
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Galapagos Giant Tortoises

Ecuador Complete: Amazon, Andes and Galapagos Islands

Duration: 16 - 20 days
Highlights: Cultural World Heritage Quito, Ingapirca's Incan Ruins, Cajas National Park, Guayaquil, Galapagos Island Hopping

Discover the many faces of the world's most biodiverse country!

From 3560,- USD
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Highlands of Papallacta

Best of Ecuador: Rental Car and Galapagos Island Hopping

Duration: 21 - 28 days
Highlights: Papallacta, El Angel , Devil's Nose, Ingapirca - Inca Ruins, Santa Cruz Island, Isabela Island

Experience Ecuador with a rental car before island hopping through the Galapagos archipelago

From 3800,- USD
Price per pax
Iguana Crossing Hotel

Galapagos Cruise Deluxe: Mission Paradise

Duration: 13 - 13 days
Highlights: Golden Bay Hotel, Iguana Crossing, Finch Bay Ecolodge, Isabela, Santa Cruz, English speaking guides, Boutique hotels, First class cruise ships, Includes intra-island flights, Includes domestic flights, Includes transfers, Excludes international flights

Live in the lap of luxury with Galapagos PRO.

From 4000,- USD
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Family Travel Galapagos

Galapagos Cruises for Families

Duration: 12 - 14 days
Highlights: Quito - World Heritage City, Long White Sand Beaches, Baby Turtles, Swimming with Penguins, Playful Sea Lions, Marine Iguanas, Volcano Hike

The Galapagos Islands are ideal for families.

From 4420,- USD
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Family Travel Galapagos

Copy of Galapagos Cruises for Families

Duration: 12 - 14 days
Highlights: ,

The Galapagos Islands are ideal for families.

From 4420,- USD
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The River Boat Manatee

Cruise Ecuador: Amazon Cruise and Galapagos Cruise

Duration: 12 - 16 days
Highlights: Yasuni National Park, Isabela & Fernandina, Santa Cruz and North Seymour, Includes all transfers and domestic flights

The three wonders of Ecuador in one trip: Andes Mountains, Amazon and Galapagos Islands

From 4890,- USD
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Mary Anne

Galapagos Cruise for Solo and Single Travelers

Duration: 12 - 14 days
Highlights: Fantastic itinerary, beautiful sailing ship, other cruise options available: Petrel and Ocean Spray

The wistful Mary Anne yacht offers 6 single cabins - the perfect option for single travelers!

From 5310,- USD
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Specialised Equipment

Accessible Travel: Ecuador and Galapagos Islands

Duration: 12 - 14 days
Highlights: Specialised Wheelchairs, Quito-World Heritage Site, Train ride to Cotopaxi, Accessible rainforest lodge, Andes highlands via Baños, Galapagos Islands, San Cristóbal Island, Lobería on San Cristóbal island, Lobos Island, Tortoise breeding center

A curated experience of the enchanting land of Ecuador without barriers.

From 6000,- USD
Price per pax
Cormorant

Galapagos Cruise Deluxe: Quito to the Islands in Luxury

Duration: 10 - 14 days
Highlights: Luxurious ships, Selection of 5 star hotels, Fantastic day trips, Selection of 5 star cruises, Domestic flights included, Personalised service, Fisr class nature guides

Discover the beloved animal paradise in first-class style with Galapagos Deluxe

From 9340,- USD
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Pikaia Lodge

Galapagos Luxury: Santa Cruz Highlands

Duration: 6 - 7 days
Highlights: Quito Old Town, Galapagos Islands, Pikaia Lodge, Santa Cruz and Bartolomé, Santa Fé and Plaza Sur, Charles Darwin Station, Giant tortoises

The Galapagos Islands at their best: Explore the islands and stay in the exceptional Pikaia Lodge in the highlands.

From 11320,- USD
Price per pax