Level: Moderate - Challenging
Activities: Surfing, Island Explorations, and Wildlife Watching
Lodging: Casa Opuntia Hotel, San Cristobal Island

Galapagos is one of the top surfing spots in the world, and coupled with incredible wildlife and the fine hospitality and dining of Casa Opuntia Hotel, this tour is a surfer’s dream. The best place to surf in the Galapagos is San Cristobal Island. Besides natural beauty, San Cristobal is perfect for surfing because of its high consistency of surf, the size and variety of its waves, and its lack of crowds. Here, surfers have the opportunity to ride waves for up to 300 meters at Tongo Reef, catch waves up to 5.5 meters high at Punta Carola, and surf the rest of the island’s fun waves, barrels and tubes. Expert local surfing guides will bring you to the best waves at the best times and coach you through the finer points of each wave. When surfing conditions are not ideal or you simply want a break from the waves, you can choose to be led on hikes, bike rides, horseback rides, snorkeling adventures, sea kayak tour, or tours of El Junco Lake and the tortoise breeding center

Galapagos Surfing Adventure Highlights:

• World-class waves in a world-class National Park
• Ride waves for up to 300m(1,000 ft) at Tongo Reef
• Catch waves for up to 5.5 m (18 ft) at Punta Carola during strong swells
• Fun tubes and square-barrels
• Lack of crowds
• Share the surf with sea turtles and sea lions
• Excellent snorkeling in a world-class marine-reserve
• See marine iguanas, lava lizards, boobies, sally light-footed crabs and finches
• The hotel is centrally-located to be conveniently close to all waves
• Top surfing guides bring you to the best spots at the ideal times and coach you through the finer points of each wave
• Options for novices to learn how to surf
• Stay in a premium waterfront hotel with a gourmet restaurant and pool
• Optional adventure tour such as El Junco, mountain biking, horseback riding and snorkeling at Leon Dormido

The Galapagos Surfing Adventure Experience

This all-inclusive tour is the ultimate way to surf the Galapagos. You will have a local surfing guide tobring you to the ideal surf spots at the best times and coach you through the intricacies of each wave. Furthermore, your guide will act as your portal into island life, as he will introduce you to the local surfing community and likely take you to the island’s best watering holes.
Our Galapagos Surfing Adventure also provides a much richer experience than just surfing. When the waves aren’t breaking or you simply want a break, you can discover the Galapagos through sea kayaking, snorkeling and hiking adventures.
This surfing tour is further complemented by fine accommodations at a gorgeous environmentally-friendly ocean front hotel. While enjoying deliciously fresh cuisine (much of which is organic and local) in the open-air dining room, you can watch how the waves are breaking at Tongo and El Cañon to the east and Punta Carola to the west.

SURFING SPOTS:

Punta Carola: This is the biggest and best wave in the Galapagos. It is even considered to be one of the top waves in South America. At high tide, the waves average up to ten feet (right-handers), however, this wave can get up to 18 feet during strong N and NW swells. Punta Carola offers square barrels, long rides, and fairly consistent surf. Additionally, low tide is perfect for boogie boarders and beginning surfers. It also has a gorgeous beach with terrific snorkeling.
La Loberia: A 10 minute drive from the hotel, here you will find big waves that break to both sides (right and left-handers). La Loberia takes S, SW, and W swells, and is the island’s most consistent wave, making it a fantastic option when there is no northerly swell. Waves average around 6 feet but can get bigger. There is also a beautiful white sand beach with terrific snorkeling and many friendly sea lions.
Tongo Reef: A 15 minute walk from the hotel, you will find a world class wave that can be ridden for 300 meters (1,000 feet) on a good day. A southerly and westerly swell, Tongo Reef provides fun tubes (left-handers).
El Cañon: Just a 10 minute walk from the hotel, you will fast tubing waves averaging 6 feet (left-handers). El Cañon takes N, NW, W and strong SW swells. Sea lions also love to surf here.
Manglecito: A 15-20 minute boat ride away, Manglecito is a magnificent beach
with fun 6 foot waves (right-handers). It takes only strong N or NW swells and must be done at low tide, but the wave lasts 6 hours. (boat transportation not included)
Puerto Chino: A stunning picture-perfect beach with consistent waves perfect for beginners (left and right-hand waves).

Seasons and Surfing Conditions:

San Cristobal is special in that it receives southern and northern swells equally well, which means there is good surfing year-round. However, the absolute best months to surf are from December through March, when the northern swell is largest and most consistent. April and May still afford very high quality surfing, as both the southern and northern swells are pulsing at this time. June to May is a bit cooler and windier and only has a southern swell, but you will still find good waves.

Included:
- 2 Galapagos airport-hotel transfers
- 4 night stay at Casa Opuntia Hotel
- All meals from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 5
- 4 days of surfing with an expert surfing guide (transfers by water taxi or car)
- Refreshments including water and snacks

Not Included: Airfare to and from the Galapagos; entrance fee to Galapagos National Park; restaurant & hotel beverages; tips

NOTE This itinerary may change without notice due to changes in weather or national park policy