Cormorant Beach Tour (Isabela Island)

Puerto Villamil, Ecuador

GL
Galapagos Local Tours LLC
  • Email address verified
Duration: 1 day
Group size: 1 - 12
Cormorant Beach Tour (Isabela Island)
Puerto Villamil, Ecuador

Galapagos Local Tours LLC
  • Email address verified

Duration: 1 day
Group size: 1 - 12

About this trip

NEW VISIT SITE--We offer the only online booking service for the best of the few boats with permission to visit Playa de los Cormoranes (Cormorant Beach), a hidden gem on the west coast of Isabela Island. This type of remote sanctuary of towering cliffs and virgin beaches is only found in Western Isabela and until recently was accessible only to cruise ships. This newly opened visitor site exclusively welcomes land-based day trip adventurers who enjoy the wonders of nature.


Get ready to meet the impressive Galápagos flightless cormorant (only place found on Earth is W. side of Isabela) and enjoy the antics of the popular Galápagos penguins (largest colony in Galápagos on W side of Isabela) that inhabit this lava-filled zone with turquoise waters surrounded by abundant marine life such as tropical fish, rays, and sea turtles.


In addition, during the journey, we may observe the orca whales, fur seals more rare to find in Galápagos as well as seabirds that further contribute to the beauty of this pristine and natural paradise. On our hike, we often see Galápagos land iguanas.


This pristine destination of Playa Cormoran is only accessible by limited charter-basis 12-passenger day boat tours with pre-scheduled permission from the Galápagos National Park for each departure.  Reserve your spot well in advance to ensure your departure can be guaranteed on this top shared charter boat. Or book this unforgettable private charter experience for your special group.


You will enjoy modern amenities on a new speedboat by a leading locally-owned operator that is Ecuador Ministry of Tourism (MinTur)-certified we have chosen to exclusively work with due to the superior visitor experience.  


See Packages for description of Galápagos Local Tours travel advisory services included and/or available along with your booking to have your entire Galápagos adventure enhanced by our native staff.


Wildlife Possibilities

-Galapagos Flightless Cormorant**

-Galapagos Penguin*

-Fur Seals*

-Orca Whales*

-Rays

-Sea Turtles

-Tropical Fish

-Seabirds

-Galapagos Land Iguanas


**only land-based tour featuring this species

*rare-to-see species across all Galápagos tours

Stops

-Cormorant Beach

-Iguana Cove

-Roca Union


All stops subject to variation at discretion of Boat Captain and Galapagos National Park based on conditions day of tour.

Activities

-Snorkeling

-Hike

-Panga Ride

-Wildlife Viewing by Boat

-Speedboat Transport

Tour Time

Starts:  7 am 

Ends:  ~4 pm 

(approx. 9-hour tour)


All tour times subject to change, exact end times often vary.

Bring/Wear:

WEAR:

-swimsuit under clothes to fit the weather 

(usually shorts/light pants, t-shirt)

-light hiking shoes 

(tennis shoes, Keen-type sandals for uneven lava rocks, sometimes wet landings)

-hat

-sunglasses

-sunscreen (reef-safe please)

-coverup for sun in/out of water 

(e.g. long-sleeved UV shirt, neck gaiter, sarong)


BRING: 

-water bottle

-sunscreen bottle to re-apply (reef-safe)

-other snacks/drinks you prefer

-another clothing layer 

(for windy/cooler conditions

while sailing at higher speed or to change into after snorkeling)

-rain jacket/windbreaker (just in case)

-optional rash guard especially under wetsuit (Google this)

-camera--GoPro is the go-to for snorkeling in Galapagos (note: cell phone covers don't work well in water to control touch screen & can take fuzzy looking pics)

-pre-loaded digital content on cell phone for boat ride if desired (no internet/cell service)


Free Payment Fees Options


EXCLUSIVE payment options we offer 

as a WeTravel-certified travel advisor 

in the final checkout window:


1. See FREE bank account debit option

-e.g. Known as ACH in USA & similar available from most countries.

-Saves ~2-4% in debit/credit card Service Fees (you will see in your final total if card payment chosen at checkout).

-Avoid cost & delay risk of wire bank transfers.


2. We accept payments in multiple currencies--see options in final checkout.

What’s included

  • GLT Advisory Services
    Book with GLT & our native staff on call before/during your tour to answer your Ecuador/Galapagos travel questions--see Packages description.
  • Hotel Transfer
    Pick up and drop off
  • Bilingual Nature Guide
    Certified by the Galapagos National Park; leads group on land & in water
  • Snorkeling Equipment
    Mask, breathing tube, fins (wetsuits available add-on)
  • Towels
  • Lunch
    We will survey you about any allergies or dietary requirements
  • Basic Beverages
    Usually water, hot tea & coffee; see beverage add-on packages or may bring own non-alcoholic options; must pack out own trash
  • Photos
    Copy of digital photos and/or videos taken by your guide during your tour
  • Life Jackets

What’s not included

  • Optional Tips
    Many passengers leave tips for Guide and for Captain/Crew
  • Travel to Isabela Island
    Let us know in comments if need help on speedboat ferry or inter-island flight required to get to Isabela Island.
  • Hotel in Isabela
    Let us know in comments if need recommendation or assistance booking MinTur-registered lodging.

Available Packages

Shared Charter
Deposit: $100
Available until 7 days before departure

Shared charter experience up to 12 passengers. 


Each sail must have a minimum of 7 passengers to depart.

If minimum passengers not met, we will contact you to offer alternatives starting approx. two weeks before your requested date.


**Includes a FREE copy of our "Insider Tips" including packing list and Galapagos Local Tours native staff on call to answer questions before & during this tour by text, phone or email via cell, WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.


As a Galapagos Local Tours client, you may also choose to have us build & book your entire Galapagos itinerary for a planning fee of just $100 pp which starts with a phone/Zoom meeting to share your interests  & preferences. Planning fee is waived if you book over $500 pp in tours with us.


Our custom recommendations may include at your request the best flights, inter-island transport, lodging, restaurants, self-tours, Quito area options from our Galapagos native expertise & connect you to the best locally-owned tour operators we trust.



$357
Deposit: $100
Private Charter
Deposit: $1,000
Available until 7 days before departure

Private charter experience for up to 12 passengers. 

Includes ~15% discount vs. Shared Charter for 12 people. 


No minimum passengers required. 


**Includes a FREE copy of our "Insider Tips" including packing list and Galapagos Local Tours native staff on call to answer questions before & during this tour by text, phone or email via cell, WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.

As a Galapagos Local Tours private charter client, you may also choose to have us build & book your entire Galapagos itinerary with our customary planning fee waived ($100 pp value) which starts with a phone/Zoom meeting to share your interests.


Our custom recommendations may include at your request the best flights, inter-island transport, lodging, restaurants, self-tours, Quito area options from our Galapagos native expertise & connect you to the best locally-owned tour operators we trust.

$3,641
Deposit: $1,000

Available Add-Ons

Wet Suits
$25
Available until 14 days before departure

Optional to add warmth and/or buoyancy.  Often preferred during cooler ocean temps season June - December but some travelers prefer year-round.

We will ask you for your adult size after booking to have waiting for you on the boat.  


If you are smaller than adult S or larger than adult 2XL we recommend you bring your own wetsuit from home.

Non-alcoholic Beverage Package
$30
Available until 14 days before departure

Up to 6 single serving bottles of your preferred non-alcoholic beverages cooled on ice waiting for you on board if would like options beyond water, hot tea & coffee usually offered.


Note in Galapagos included beverages on boat tours include water, coffee and possibly hot tea.  Soda pop not usually stocked on boat and if stocked, diet options usually not included.  


After booking this package, we will survey you on your preferences and we will have the closest option waiting for you on board.


You may bring your own non-alcoholic beverages as long as pack out your trash.  This option provided for travelers' convenience.

Alcohol Beverage Package
$50
Available until 14 days before departure

Up to 4 bottles of your preferred beer or 1 bottle wine designed to be shared by 2 adults cooled on ice waiting for you on board if would like options beyond water, hot tea & coffee usually offered.


After booking this package, we will survey you on your preferences and we will have the closest option waiting for you on board.


We reserve the right to stop serving alcohol at the discretion of the Boat Captain at any time.  Alcohol is NOT allowed to be brought on board by passengers.



Your Organizer


GL
Galapagos Local Tours LLC
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES BY GALÁPAGOS NATIVES. Feel good your travel dollars stay in the local community to build a sustainable future for Galápagos--while enjoying a trip designed around you!