Galapagos Family Travel offers your family an unforgettable vacation. Designed for groups of up to 12 people, our Galapagos Family Travel adventures are uniquely tailored to meet the needs of families. For 30 years, we have specialized in family-oriented adventure vacations, and our award-winning Galapagos tours are specifically crafted to provide the perfect family getaway to the Galapagos Islands.Our 9-day, Galapagos Unbound Signature Trip has been featured in the New York Times and was highlighted as a "Tour of a Lifetime" by National Geographic Traveler magazine. You can read the article, "Galapagos Unbound" by Tim Neville, here.
The Family Galapagos Adventure is designed for families looking to explore the Galapagos Islands in an active, educational, and budget-friendly way. Staying on two of the inhabited islands, with the option to visit a third uninhabited island, this tour is packed with exciting activities that immerse you in the unique wildlife and landscapes of the archipelago.
Your family will stay busy snorkeling at Los Tuneles, hiking the Sierra Negra Volcano, and kayaking in the waters off Isabela Island. Each day offers opportunities to encounter the incredible wildlife of the Galapagos, from sea lions and marine iguanas to tropical fish and sea turtles. In addition to the adventure, you’ll have time to explore the local towns of Puerto Ayora and Puerto Villamil, where you can connect with the island communities and experience daily life in this remote paradise.
If you're looking for a trip that blends adventure, culture, and unforgettable wildlife encounters, this tour is for you. Each island you visit has a unique historical and conservation site, offering insight into the human history of the Galapagos and the importance of sustainable tourism. Stops at the Interpretation Center on San Cristobal, the Breeding Center on Isabela, and the Charles Darwin Station on Santa Cruz will give you a deeper appreciation of conservation efforts and allow you to meet the famous giant tortoises.
Throughout your journey, you’ll explore a variety of ecosystems, from beachside mangroves to lush highland forests. While this itinerary is full of adventure, there’s also time to relax, shop for souvenirs, or enjoy the beach. For families wanting even more excitement, optional activities such as visiting an uninhabited island or trying out surfing are available. This trip offers the perfect balance of exploration, education, and family fun in one of the world’s most remarkable destinations.
This is truly the perfect adventure for families! We can match your family’s ages with others to create an ideal travel experience. In addition, our hand-picked, expert guides are specially trained to work with children, ensuring a fun and enriching experience for every member of the family.
These trips are priced based on the number of guests per trip, providing a personalized and customized family experience.
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Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival & Local Discovery
Arrive and dive into your Galápagos adventure. Settle into your accommodations, then head out to explore—choose a cultural walking tour, a nature hike, or a beachside introduction to the islands. Try local cuisine over dinner, or opt for an energizing afternoon activity to kick things off.
Day 2
Choose Your Island Excursion
Today, venture out to a nearby island. Options include biking through wildlife-rich landscapes, snorkeling with sea turtles, or hiking scenic coastal trails. Prefer a cultural focus? Visit local markets, museums, or dive into a cooking class for hands-on fun.
Day 3
Marine Wildlife & Water Adventures
Hit the water for a guided snorkeling trip to see sea lions, rays, turtles, and tropical fish up close. In the afternoon, explore on land—visit historical landmarks, join a marine conservation activity, or take a short coastal trek.
Day 4
Off-the-Beaten-Path Exploration
Take a boat to a lesser-known island with opportunities for birdwatching, visiting lava tunnels or pirate caves, and beach time far from the crowds. If your group prefers, we can also include a wildlife photography walk or an inland crater hike.
Day 5
Conservation & Culture
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Breeding Center on Isabela to see giant tortoises and learn about local conservation efforts. Stop by the Interpretation Center for insight into the islands’ unique history, then enjoy free time in town for shopping, café hopping, or one last stroll by the sea.
Day 6
Final Challenge or Relax
End strong with kayaking along the coast, stand-up paddleboarding, or a guided hike to a panoramic viewpoint. If you're wrapping up early, enjoy time for last-minute exploration, souvenir shopping, or a dip in the sea before heading to the airport.
Dates & Rates
Supplementary Information
This trip is fully customizable to suit your travel style and schedule, with a minimum length of 6 days and a maximum of 14 days. The itinerary outlined here is just one example of what your adventure could look like. Whether you're planning a quick 6-day escape or a 14-day deep dive into the Galápagos, we’ll help you make it unforgettable. Ideal for families and friend groups, this experience can be tailored for groups of up to 12 people.
Call us today 208-765-0841 and one of our expert Adventure Consultants will work with you to design the perfect itinerary—just the way you want it.
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FAQ & More
When is the best time for my family to visit the Galapagos Islands?
Galapagos Weather Guide - Month to Month
Whenever your schedule allows! Because it’s on the equator, air temperatures don’t change a lot. However water temperature does fluctuate as much as ten degrees during the year. The cooler Humboldt Current comes up from Antarctica from May to September/October and the sea is cooler and tends to be rougher at this time of year. Cooler water temperatures mean you generally see more sea life because there is more food for the animals that depend on the planktons and other sea nourishment. From November to April, the cooler Panama Current flows from the north and brings warmer water. The sea tends to be calmer at this time of year. If you’re going on our land-based tour then rough water is less of a concern. If you’re doing a cruise, and you are prone to seasickness, you might want to consider coming in the November to April time frame.
Where are the Galapagos Island located?
The Galapagos Islands (or Archipelago de Colon) are a Province of Ecuador located about 500 miles (800 kilometers) west of the Ecuadorian coast and are located directly on the equator.
What is the weather like?
Because the Galapagos Islands are on the equator, it’s warm most of the year. The warmest season is usually January to April and average temperatures range from a low of 70F/22C to around of 84F/31C. This is also the “wet season” and there may be afternoon thundershowers. During a severe El Nino year, it’s more likely to rain at any time of day. April to December is considered the “dry season” and is cooler, with average temperatures ranging from around 68F/19C to 82F/27C. At this time of year it is not uncommon to have the "garua" (misty rain) early in the morning and in the highlands of Santa Cruz and San Cristobal. Our experience is that the time of year doesn’t make a lot of difference in terms of the amount of rain as there isn’t enough to impact your trip too much.
What is the best way to get to the Galapagos Islands?
From the U.S. and Canada there are daily flights via Houston, Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York and Miami, to both Quito and Guayaquil, Ecuador. If you are short on time flying directly to and from Guayaquil may save you time as our Galapagos Unbound trip begins in Guayaquil.
Do you arrange international air to Ecuador?
We do not arrange international air travel but we do have a great air travel specialist we refer you to if you’d like.
Will we have to exchange any money before we travel to Ecuador or once in the country?
Ecuador uses the US dollar which was adopted as the official currency in 2000. Be sure to bring cash bills in good condition because bills with markings or tears won’t be accepted. There are also ATM machines in the larger towns. It’s a good idea to alert your bank that you’ll be traveling to Ecuador so they don’t stop the transactions.
Are you able to arrange extensions to our Galapagos tour?
We have been running trips in Ecuador since 1992 and know the country well. We have plenty of ideas for extending your trip whether it be to the Amazon, the Cloud Forest, the highlands in the north or south, or whatever might be your special interest. We can also arrange extensions to Peru and Machu Picchu.
How far in advance should I book?
There are a lot of arrangements to be made for a custom trip like our Galapagos Unbound active adventure. It’s very helpful with our planning if you book four to 12 months in advance. However, if you can’t plan that far ahead, then it’s usually not a problem to book up to about two months in advance. If you find yourself looking for last-minute space just call us and check!
What do I need to bring to snorkel and what is the experience like?
The Galapagos is surely one of the best places in the world to snorkel. The flourishing ocean life is an ecological treasure, and one of the main draws to the archipelago. You will have multiple chances to snorkel, sometimes at multiple locations in a day. We do recommend you try snorkeling ahead of time for your trip to get the most out of your experience, if you have never done so. Wetsuits aren’t strictly necessary, but “shorty” wetsuits (knees to elbows) of about 2mm are recommended to keep out any chill. We have full snorkel gear available to use including wetsuits.
What equipment or gear do I need to bring?
We provide all of the equipment, while you need to simply bring your clothing and personal gear. We also provide wetsuits and snorkeling gear for your convenience, or your may bring your own. We send a complete list with items to bring such as paddling gloves, a water bottle, flash light, etc. We suggest traveling “light” for this adventure.
Is it possible to go scuba diving in the Galapagos?
There are one or two opportunities on our trip to arrange for a separate scuba diving experience at an extra cost. Contact us for details.
Will the tour guides speak English?
Yes. Spanish is the official language of Ecuador and the Galapagos but all tour guides are bilingual and speak english.
Will my credit card work in Ecuador?
Yes, most major credit and debit cards are accepted in Ecuador. There are plenty of ATM’s to use if you prefer to purchase things with cash as well.
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