Pinzón is one of the Galápagos islands that visitors see from the water rather than from the shore. It is a rugged, uninhabited volcanic island west of Santa Cruz and its landing sites are closed to tourists, so the day trips that go there are snorkeling trips, run from Puerto Ayora in a small motor boat with a naturalist guide. You leave from the town dock in the morning, cross open water for a while and then slip into the sea at one or two sites along the island's rocky coast, where the water is often clear and the marine life is the draw: sea lions that come to inspect you, Pacific green turtles gliding below, spotted eagle rays, schools of colourful reef fish and, with luck, a white-tipped reef shark resting on the sand. The tour then moves to a calmer bay on the Santa Cruz side, listed by operators as La Fé or Las Palmas, for a second swim and lunch, and the title of the tour mentions fishing, which some operators offer as an optional line-fishing session. It is a good choice for anyone who wants real snorkeling without the long ferry rides to Isabela or San Cristóbal, and for travellers who have already done the landing-based islands and want something different. The boat is usually shared with a small group, equipment is normally provided and the whole day lasts around seven hours.
What makes it different from the other boat days: North Seymour, Bartolomé, South Plaza and Santa Fe all include a walk on land, with birds and iguanas as the stars. Pinzón is the opposite. You will not step ashore, so there is no trail, no heat on the rocks and little to carry.
The reward is time in the water, and conditions can be livelier than a bay snorkel, with currents and swell on the exposed side of the island. The guide briefs the group on where to swim and keeps everyone together. Confident swimmers get the most from it, though flotation vests are usually available for the less sure.
Planning the day
The trip runs year-round, but the sea is warmest and calmest in the hot season, roughly December to May, while the cooler months from June to November bring colder water, more swell and often a grey sky, and a full wetsuit makes a big difference. Bring swimwear, a rash vest, reef-safe sunscreen, a towel, a hat, a dry bag and motion sickness tablets if you are prone to seasickness, since the crossing can be bumpy. Lunch and water are usually part of the day, but check what your operator includes, and remember that your Galápagos National Park entry fee, paid in cash on arrival at the airport, is separate from the tour price.
Who it suits and what to expect: it is best for adults and teenagers who can swim in open water. The rules of the park apply in the water too, so keep a respectful distance from sea lions, never touch turtles or rays and do not chase anything. Pair it with a quiet day on land the next morning, perhaps the Charles Darwin Research Station or the highland tortoise reserve.
If you are weighing it against Santa Fe, which has a similar mix of boat and bay swimming, Pinzón is wilder and a touch more demanding, while Santa Fe includes a short walk to see the land iguanas.
What to expect
The experience
A small-boat day from the Puerto Ayora dock with two snorkeling stops, one off Pinzón and one in a sheltered bay, plus lunch aboard or ashore.
Best time
December to May for warmer, calmer water; the cooler months are still rewarding with a good wetsuit.
How long
About seven hours from the dock and back, including the crossing and two swims.
Tips
Wear a rash vest, bring a dry bag and seasickness tablets, and keep your distance from every animal in the water.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Confident swimmers who want a full day of snorkeling without taking an inter-island ferry.
- Families
- Best for teenagers and strong swimmers; vests help, but the open-water stops are not ideal for young children.
- Couples
- A shared adventure with plenty of marine life, followed by a relaxed dinner back in town.
- Pair with
- A land day such as the Charles Darwin Research Station or Los Gemelos on the next morning.
- Time needed
- One full day, leaving in the morning and returning in the afternoon.
Good questions
Can you land on Pinzón Island?+
No. Pinzón is a protected island with no visitor landing sites, so day trips there are snorkeling excursions from a boat.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?+
You should be comfortable in open water. Flotation is usually available and the guide stays with the group, but currents and swell can make the stops more demanding than a sheltered bay.
Is snorkel gear provided?+
Operators normally supply masks, snorkels and often wetsuits, but confirm what is included, and bring a rash vest of your own if you want extra warmth and sun cover.
What is the national park fee for this trip?+
The park entry fee is paid once, in cash, when you land in the islands, and is separate from the tour price. Check the current amount before you travel.
When is the best time to go?+
The warm, calm season from roughly December to May has the most comfortable water, though the trip runs all year.
