The Ultimate Isabela Island Guide: Best Things to Do in Isabela Island Galapagos 2026
Isabela Island is small, chilled and full of wildlife including penguins, sharks and sea lions. In this guide I share the best things to do in Isabela Island Galapagos, from riding a bike along the historic Wall of Tears trail and spotting sharks on the famous Las Tintoreras tour to exploring the lava tunnels on a Los Tuneles boat tour.
Rather than visiting on an expensive day tour from Santa Cruz or joining a cruise we stayed on Isabela for 3 nights and explored the island at our own pace. Whether you want to snorkel with seahorses or spot the famous Isabela Island penguins, this guide covers what we did, what each tour cost and which experiences I thought were actually worth the money.
Isabela Island
Best Things to do in Isabela Island Galapagos 2026
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1. Ride a Bike along the Wall of Tears Trail
Renting a bicycle is the best way to explore the Wall of Tears trail because walking there takes around 90 minutes each way. If you prefer to walk, leave early to avoid the midday sun and bring plenty of water.
We paid around USD $10 per person for a full day bike rental. We also used the bikes to get to lunch and dinner afterwards to make the most of the money. As you cycle along the trail you will find loads of small paths leading off both sides. Stop at a few because they lead to completely different beaches, lagoons and mangroves.
Do not miss El Estero because this was my favourite stop along the entire trail. You can swim inside the blue and green mangroves and we had playful sea lions swimming around us!
Afterwards, continue cycling to the Wall of Tears at the end of the trail. Follow the path behind the wall on the left-hand side to reach the viewpoint overlooking the volcanic landscape.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye out for wild giant tortoises hanging out right in the middle of the bushes along the main track
2. Spot Marine Wildlife on a Las Tintoreras Tour
We paid USD $60 per person for a half day Las Tintoreras tour which included a short boat ride, guided walk and snorkelling stop. We boarded a small boat from the main pier and rode past the volcanic rocks where we spotted the famous Isabela Island penguins chilling beside the water.
We then got off the boat and followed our guide across the lava formations past loads of marine iguanas and sea lions. The highlight of the walk was Shark Alley, a narrow channel where we saw dozens of whitetip reef sharks resting in the water below.
The tour finished with a snorkelling stop where we swam alongside huge rays and marine iguanas in the clear water. Food was not included because it was only a half day tour.
Pro Tip: Bring lunch so you can eat beside the water after your tour and head straight to the free pier for more snorkelling with the sea lions.
3. FREE Snorkelling at Concha de Perla
You do not need to spend money on expensive excursions every day because Concha de Perla is a free snorkelling spot right next to the main speedboat pier. I swam with a playful sea lion pup who loved the bubbles I was blowing through my snorkel!
I also saw 3 or 4 sea turtles each time I snorkelled here and even spotted a penguin. They are soooo fast and I got no pictures, so you will have to trust me lol.
Pro Tip: Visit in the early morning because the pups seemed most playful and I had the whole pier to myself.
4. Explore the Volcanic Arches on a Los Tuneles Boat Tour
We paid USD $120 per person for the Los Tuneles boat tour and it was worth every single dollar. It took 30/40 minutes to reach the first snorkelling stop so bring a warm jumper because the wind on the boat was absolutely freezing.
We snorkelled beneath the lava arches and saw green sea turtles, sharks and even wild seahorses resting in the algae. I had never seen a seahorse before so it completely made my day.
After snorkelling our guide took us to walk across the volcanic bridges you have probably seen all over Instagram to see blue-footed boobies. We were even lucky enough to watch their mating dance from only a few metres away. Turns out I am now a bird person because these were some of my favourite animals in the Galapagos lol.
Pro Tip: If you only choose one paid tour on Isabela, make it Los Tuneles. It costs more than Las Tintoreras but includes lunch and we saw seahorses, blue-footed boobies and loads of the same marine life. Plus, what is the point of going to the Galapagos if you do not see the boobies?
5. Spot Sea Lions at Puerto Villamil Pier
Whenever you visit Puerto Villamil pier for a tour or to swim at Concha de Perla make sure to walk to the end of the main wooden passenger pier first. We checked it every day and once found around 25 sea lions sleeping together across the decking.
It is an easy place to take photos and videos of loads of sea lions without booking a tour. Keep your distance and wait rather than trying to step around them if they are blocking the walkway.
6. Hike Sierra Negra Volcano
We did not hike Sierra Negra because I wanted to prioritise the marine wildlife tours but it is a popular half day trip if you want to explore inland Isabela. The active volcano has the largest caldera in the Galapagos, measuring roughly 7 x 10 kilometres.
You need to visit with a specialised guide and most tours continue from the crater rim towards Volcan Chico through lava fields and volcanic scenery. This could be a good option if you want a break from snorkelling and boat tours.
7. Snorkelling at the Beach Next to the Pier
After swimming at Concha de Perla, which we did every day without fail, we always walked over to the beach beside Puerto Villamil pier. We spent one afternoon watching the sunset and another relaxing and snorkelling.
We watched a baby sea lion repeatedly trying to play with the sleeping adults who were not impressed. He eventually gave up and decided to nap on a tourist’s towel beside them instead lol.
When we swam only a couple of minutes from the shore we saw wild sea turtles and huge rays in water shallow enough to stand in. I also swam around the corner towards the anchored tour boats and spotted at least 6 small sharks. We saw sea lions sleeping or swimming on the actual beach here every time we visited.
8. Eat Cheap Meals Around the Main Square
We found the restaurants around Isabela Island’s main square much better value than on the other islands. For breakfast and lunch we kept returning to Sun & Coffee for its daily menu del dia. The dishes changed every day and were never just boring rice and beans (yes, I am thinking of Santa Cruz).
For dinner, the local restaurants set up tables around the square and had 3 course meals with a drink for USD $12 to $14 per person when we visited. We even found half lobster dinners for around the same price as a basic chicken dish.
9. Kayak Across Puerto Villamil Bay
We did not go kayaking because we had already booked the Las Tintoreras and Los Tuneles boat tours. However guided kayak trips leave from Puerto Villamil and paddle across the bay towards Las Tintoreras.
This is another way to look for Isabela Island penguins, sea turtles, sea lions and rays without booking a full boat excursion.
Where to Stay on Isabela Island
Puerto Villamil is the best place to stay on Isabela Island because you can walk to the beach, main square, restaurants and local tour agencies. It is also within walking distance of Concha de Perla and the main passenger pier.
We stayed at La Casa de Mike for 3 nights and paid USD $144.40 for a private room. It was very cheap and had good reviews but our room was not as clean as I would have liked so I would personally choose one of the following options instead.
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What is Next?
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If you are flying out of Quito to explore the Galapagos Islands and want to do this on a budget rather than an incredibly expensive yacht cruise then read my dedicated posts.
We did the entire trip on a budget by island hopping the 3 main islands of Santa Cruz, Isabela and San Cristobal on our own! I have written a dedicated post breaking down our exact budget itinerary, how to book the cheap local public ferries, the tours worth spending your money on and how to see the best wildlife for free without a guide.
Ultimate 10 Night Land Based Galapagos Itinerary
If you are flying out of Quito to explore the Galapagos Islands and want to do this on a budget rather than an incredibly expensive yacht cruise then read my dedicated posts.
We did the entire trip on a budget by island hopping the 3 main islands of Santa Cruz, Isabela and San Cristobal on our own! I have written a dedicated post breaking down our exact budget itinerary, how to book the cheap local public ferries, the tours worth spending your money on and how to see the best wildlife for free without a guide.
Where to next?
I am constantly discovering new hidden gems and sharing the magic of the world in real time. If you would like to follow my journey through 44 countries and beyond, join me on social media. Whether you are looking for daily travel inspiration or honest travel advice for your next big adventure, I would love to have you as part of the Where Katie Goes community. Let us explore the world together.
