Galapagos Hiking & Kayaking Adventure

Explore Ashore & Paddle with Marine Life on Our Intimate Catamaran-Based Odyssey
The Galapagos Islands are unique on Earth. In this far-flung archipelago, giant tortoises roam misty meadows. Sea lions loll, nonchalant, on pristine beaches. Iguanas bask on sun-baked lava while sea turtles, rays and gentle reef sharks swim alongside snorkelers in aquamarine waters. We know how special it is to paddle this primeval paradise—we pioneered kayaking in the Galapagos! Our private motorsailer catamaran whisks us between anchorages and provides a comfortable accommodation base. Each day we explore a different island—on foot, by kayak, via snorkeling, and sometimes all three—you won't sit around on deck on this active adventure! The islands are surprisingly diverse, with new discoveries at each spot we visit. Add in an exclusive overnight stay at our private Tortoise Camp in the Santa Cruz highlands, and you've got a matchless encounter with the Galapagos.
  
Nat Hab guests kayaking, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
Jimmy Patino
Nat Hab guests kayaking, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
Nat Hab guests and Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
Jimmy Patino
Nat Hab guests and Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
Nat Hab guests, South Plaza Island, Galapagos, Ecuador.
Erick Rock
Nat Hab guests, South Plaza Island, Galapagos, Ecuador.
Nat Hab
Andrew Ackerman
Nat Hab's Tortoise Camp, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Ecuador.
Nat Hab guests snorkeling, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
Mark Hickey
Nat Hab guests snorkeling, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
Marine iguana, Española Island, Galapagos, Ecuador.
Mark Hickey
Marine iguana, Española Island, Galapagos, Ecuador.
Nat Hab guests and Expedition Leader, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
Andrew Ackerman
Nat Hab guests and Expedition Leader, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
Nat Hab guests kayaking near S/C Nemo III, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
Jimmy Patino
Nat Hab guests kayaking near S/C Nemo III, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
Nat Hab guests snorkeling with Galapagos fur seals, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
Andrew Ackerman
Nat Hab guests snorkeling with Galapagos fur seals, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
S/C Nemo III and Kicker Rock, San Cristobal, Galapagos, Ecuador.
Jimmy Patino
S/C Nemo III and Kicker Rock, San Cristobal, Galapagos, Ecuador.
Nat Hab guest and Expedition Leader, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
Mark Hickey
Nat Hab guest and Expedition Leader, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
Nazca boobies, Española Island, Galapagos, Ecuador.
Cassiano Zaparoli
Nazca boobies, Española Island, Galapagos, Ecuador.
Nat Hab guest, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Ecuador.
Mark Hickey
Nat Hab guest, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Ecuador.
Nat Hab guide kayaking, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
Jimmy Patino
Nat Hab guide kayaking, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
Happy hour at Nat Hab
Tara Dunn
Happy hour at Nat Hab's private Tortoise Camp, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Ecuador.
Nat Hab guest and guide, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
Jimmy Patino
Nat Hab guest and guide, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
S/C Nemo III and Kicker Rock, San Cristobal, Galapagos, Ecuador.
Jimmy Patino
S/C Nemo III and Kicker Rock, San Cristobal, Galapagos, Ecuador.

Trip Highlights

Active Adventures with Abundant Wildlife

Discover the islands' wonders as we hike, snorkel and paddle with sea lions, turtles, iguanas, penguins, tortoises and more, all at close range

Get an Eye-Level View on Marine Life from Your Kayak

On guided paddling outings (with instruction provided), look into the clear water to see penguins fishing, sea turtles gliding by, and maybe even dolphins off your bow!

Stay at Our Private Tortoise Camp

Sleep aboard our chartered catamaran in en suite cabins, and spend a night among wild giant tortoises at our exclusive camp high in the lush forest on Santa Cruz

Photo Departure

Sample intro text.
View Photo Itinerary
ae1uof3j0p
Growing in the Galapagos
A Nat Hab Guide Story

The Most Immersive Galapagos Itinerary You'll Find

The Galapagos is a must-see destination for any nature traveler. But how you see the islands is another matter altogether. The majority of visitors travel aboard larger ships with dozens (and dozens!) of other passengers, all going ashore together in large groups. For more adventurous travelers who prefer an active experience, this trip offers a secluded encounter with the islands and their wildlife, via our special kayaking permits and very small group size. Learn more about why this Galapagos adventure is truly in a class by itself:

  1. Kayaking Permits = A Unique Itinerary
    Through permits originally secured decades ago when we pioneered paddling expeditions in the Galapagos, Nat Hab has permission from Galapagos National Park for guided kayaking exploration that goes well beyond the standard excursions accessible to most visitors. Via paddling, we discover the water and shoreline at eye level, with seabirds bobbing alongside and turtles in view just below the surface.
  2. The Smallest Groups—and Best Guide-to-Group Ratio (1:7!)
    With approximately 14 guests led by two Galapagos National Park-certified Expedition Leaders, this trip offers the smallest group size in the Galapagos. The typical ratio for most boat tours is 16 guests to one naturalist guide. Our ratio is one guide for just seven guests. This gives us flexibility to offer different concurrent activities: one group can paddle along the shoreline while the other opts for a deepwater snorkeling opportunity, for instance. With two Expedition Leaders, equally qualified guides accompany each set of guests when we divide into smaller groups. 
  3. Our Catamaran is the Ideal Floating Base Camp
    Our motorsailing catamaran is the optimal vessel for this adventure. Stylish, sporty and well-appointed, Nemo III offers an experience that's ideal for explorers with an adventurous spirit who would prefer a smaller craft with a small crew, instead of a less personal larger ship. With a crew of seven plus two naturalist guides, Nemo III offers exceptional flexibility. We can move quickly, embark and disembark with ease, and spend more time exploring from the kayaks and panga, on land, or snorkeling. For a closer look at Nemo III, take a virtual walkthrough—examine the decks, cabins and interior common spaces in detail.
  4. A Private Stay at Our Safari-Style Tortoise Camp
    Unique to Nat Hab's Galapagos adventures is a stay at our exclusive Tortoise Camp. Located in the volcanic Santa Cruz highlands, the private camp is secluded within giant tortoise habitat, and these placid reptiles often wander directly among our raised walk-in safari-style tents and treehouse cabins overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Though the accommodations are rustic, they offer plenty of comfort, with en suite facilities. Meals are served in the covered open-air dining room, and a sheltered lounge with log fireplace offers a cozy spot for relaxing. 
  5. The Best Naturalist Guides
    Natural Habitat Adventures is known worldwide for employing the finest naturalist guides on the planet. In the Galapagos, our elite Expedition Leaders average more than 15 years' guiding experience each and receive additional resources from WWF scientists, an advantage that further enhances your experience. See Expedition Leader bios and traveler comments regarding the quality of our leaders.
  6. An Itinerary Shaped By World Wildlife Fund
    As WWF’s travel partner, we are privileged to work with some of the world's most accomplished scientists to develop the best nature travel adventures on the planet. This small-group itinerary, arranged in conjunction with WWF, features walking, hiking and kayaking excursions for close-up wildlife viewing in the most personalized manner. 
  7. Active Physical Pursuits Throughout the Itinerary
    Unlike many Galapagos itineraries, this one includes a mix of active adventures, every day. Via our special kayaking permits, we paddle far more than other tours that offer much more limited kayaking opportunities. We include daily chances to snorkel and hike ashore, offering a multifaceted perspective on the islands' flora and fauna you won't get in other contexts.
  8. Better Snorkeling Experiences
    With inquisitive sea lions, sea turtles, rays, dolphins and penguins abundant in the island waters, snorkeling with friendly Galapagos wildlife is a huge highlight. If you're traveling aboard a large ship, it can be disappointing to find yourself surrounded by more snorkelers than marine creatures, however. In our small groups, secluded snorkeling encounters are guaranteed, with much more direction and attention from our guides.
  9. See More of Ecuador with a Stay in Quito
    Ecuador, though small, is one of the world's most geographically diverse countries, with a rich history. As a complement to your Galapagos adventure, we include a visit to Quito, whose colonial heritage is reflected in extravagant churches and European, Moorish and indigenous influences that have made the 16th-century Old Town a  UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  10. The Highest-Quality Gear for Comfort & Safety
    If you've ever tried kayaking in basic (cheap) kayaks with subpar equipment, you'll agree that it can be uncomfortable—and, frankly, not much fun. With our decades of experience leading kayak expeditions, we know what equipment is required for the best paddling experience...and we make sure our guests get the very best, for both comfort and safety.
  11. Our Quality-Value Guarantee Ensures Your Special Galapagos Experience
    With Natural Habitat Adventures, you receive our exclusive guarantee: that we will meet the lofty expectations we establish in our promotional materials. To our knowledge, this is the most ambitious guarantee made by any adventure travel company. Read our important promise.
  12. Feel Good About Your Carbon-Neutral Journey
    We care deeply about our planet, as we know you do. When you travel with us, the carbon emissions from your trip are 100% offset—including your round-trip flights from home. Natural Habitat Adventures has been the world’s first carbon-neutral travel company since 2007.
  13. Natural Habitat Adventures is World Wildlife Fund's Travel Partner
    Because of our commitment to environmentally conscious travel, as well as the outstanding quality of our worldwide adventures, World Wildlife Fund—the world's leading environmental conservation organization—has named Natural Habitat Adventures as its worldwide travel partner, a designation that makes us exceedingly proud!

Read what travelers are saying about our Galapagos Hiking & Kayaking Adventure:

Questions?
We've Got Answers!
Talk with an Adventure Specialist
Call Our Boulder Office at 800-543-8917 or contact your travel advisor.
We're Proud of the Reputation We’ve Earned
Outside
Voted "World's Best Travel
Company"
by Outside Magazine
Outside
Natural Habitat Adventures Ranked
“Best Outfitter”
NatGeo
Voted Best Winter Trip: Natural Habitat Adventures' Monarch Butterfly Migration, Mexico
VIEW MORE AWARDS
Physical Requirements
WWF Logo

Learn More

Customize Your African Safari

Let our in-house safari experts create your perfect African adventure. Whether you'd like to travel as a private group on this safari or you'd like to create an itinerary all your own, simply fill out the form to the right or give us a call at 800-543-8917.

Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Learn More
Thank you for your interest!
We'll be in touch soon to help with your custom African safari!

Learn More

Customize Your Trip

Let our in-house trip experts create your perfect adventure. Whether you'd like to travel as a private group on our ${tripName} or you'd like to create an itinerary all your own, simply fill out the form to the right or give us a call at 800-543-8917.

Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Galapagos Hiking & Kayaking Adventure
Learn More
Thank you for your interest!
We'll be in touch soon to help with your private trip!

Download Trip Details

Discover the World's Best

Nature Travel Experiences

Get our downloadable trip details in PDF format, a handy resource for your travel planning. Inside, you'll find all the info from our website—highlights of the trip, itinerary, accommodations, and full details on dates, prices and logistics—plus a few extras!

Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Download Trip Details
Your download awaits…

Thank you for your request! Click here to see your trip details PDF now. You’ll also receive it by email momentarily.

Ask a Question

Ask a Question

Fill out our form to receive additional information about our ${tripName}, or give us a call at 800-543-8917.

Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Galapagos Hiking & Kayaking Adventure
Ask a Question
Thank you for your note!

We’ll be in touch soon with more details.

Request Your 2023 Catalog

Discover the World's Best

Nature Travel Experiences

Nathab 2024 Catalog

Together, Natural Habitat Adventures and World Wildlife Fund have teamed up to arrange nearly a hundred nature travel experiences around the planet, while helping to protect the magnificent places we visit and their wild inhabitants.

Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Request Your 2024/2025 Catalog
Continued - Page 2 of 2
To help us customize your catalog request, please tell us more about your travel needs:
Thank you for requesting a catalog
We’ve received your request. If you have any questions about our trips, please feel free to contact an Adventure Specialist today by calling 800-543-8917.

Get Weekly Updatess

Discover the World's Best

Nature Travel Experiences

Our weekly eNewsletter highlights new adventures, exclusive offers, webinars, nature news, travel ideas, photography tips and more. Sign up today!

Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Send Me Travel Emails
Privacy Policy
Thank you for joining our email list!

Look for a special welcome message in your inbox, arriving shortly! Be sure to add naturalhabitat@nathab.com to your email contacts so you don’t miss out on future emails.

Send Us a Message

Send Us a Message

Have a question or comment? Use the form to the right to get in touch with us.

Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Send Us a Message
Thank you for your message

We’ll be in touch soon with a response.

Refer a Friend

Refer a Friend,
Get $250 Off
Earn rewards for referring your friends! We'd like to thank our loyal travelers for spreading the word. Share your friend's address so we can send a catalog, and if your friend takes a trip as a first-time Nat Hab traveler, you'll receive a $250 Nat Hab credit you can use toward a future trip or the purchase of Nat Hab gear. To refer a friend, just complete the form below or call us at 800-543-8917. It's that easy! See rules and fine print here.
Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Refer a Friend

Earn rewards for referring your friends! We'd like to thank our loyal travelers for spreading the word. Share your friend's address so we can send a catalog, and if your friend takes a trip as a first-time Nat Hab traveler, you'll receive a $250 Nat Hab credit you can use toward a future trip or the purchase of Nat Hab gear. To refer a friend, just complete the form below or call us at 800-543-8917. It's that easy! See rules and fine print here.

Thank you for the referral!

We've received your friend's information.

View Our 2023 Digital Catalog

View Our 2024/2025

Digital Catalog

Help us save paper! We offer a digital version of The World's Greatest Nature Journeys. If you'd prefer a mailed copy, please provide your contact details here. To view our digital catalog, please enter your info in the form to the right.
Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
View Digital Catalog
Happy browsing!

Thanks for requesting access to our digital catalog. Click here to view it now. You’ll also receive it by email momentarily.

Our Trips

Polar Bear Tours

Polar Bear Tours

African Safaris

African Safaris

Galapagos Tours

Galapagos Tours

Alaska Adventures

Alaska Adventures

U.S. National Parks Tours

U.S. National Parks Tours

Canada & the North

Canada & the North

Europe Adventures

Europe Adventures

Mexico & Central America Tours

Mexico & Central America Tours

South America Adventures

South America Adventures

Asia & Pacific Adventures

Asia & Pacific Adventures

Antarctica & Arctic Journeys

Antarctica & Arctic Journeys

Adventure Cruises

Adventure Cruises

Photography Adventures

Photography Adventures

Women's Adventures

Women's Adventures

Family Adventures

Family Adventures

New Adventures

New Adventures

Questions? Call 800-543-8917

Contact Us

Have a question or comment?
Click any of the buttons below to get in touch with us.

Hours
Mountain Time

  • 8 am to 5 pm, Monday - Friday
  • 8 am to 3 pm on Saturday
  • Closed on Sunday
Call 800-543-8917
Questions? Click to Chat
Questions? Click to Chat
/galapagos/galapagos-hiking-kayaking-adventure/