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.

-Galapagos Flightless Cormorant**

-Galapagos Penguin*

-Fur Seals*

-Orca Whales*

-Rays including 6' wide "Devil" Mobula Rays we saw in March 2026

-Sea Turtles

-Tropical Fish

-Seabirds

-Galapagos Land Iguanas

**only land-based tour featuring this species

*rare-to-see species across all Galápagos tours

-Cormorant Beach

-Iguana Cove

-Roca Union (from boat)

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

-Snorkeling

-Hike

-Panga Ride(s)

-Ocean Fishing (we caught yellowfin tuna & group in March 2026 to add to lunch menu)

-Wildlife Viewing by Boat

-Speedboat Transport

Starts:  7 am 

Ends:  ~4 pm 

(approx. 9-hour tour)

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

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)