EFFORTLESS SWIMMING PRESENTS
Galapagos Swim Experience
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Ready for a once-in-a-lifetime swim trip...
EFFORTLESS SWIMMING HAS BEEN Featured in:
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime SWIMMING JOURNEY
blending volcanic landscapes with breathtaking
underwater adventures
Ever dreamt of the ultimate aquatic escape, unlike anything you’ve ever known? The Galapagos Islands are your dream destination for this unparalleled voyage into a world that time has forgotten. Dive into an extraordinary vacation on this volcanic cluster nestled in the heart of the Pacific, with Effortless Swimming.
From navigating lava channels, gliding over hidden volcanoes, to sharing waters with graceful fish and other sea life, our Galapagos journey promises unforgettable moments. This is a swim expedition you’ll cherish forever.
You’ll also be joined by Effortless Swimming coach and former New Zealand Olympic coach Gary Hurring, who’ll be coaching you throughout the trip with underwater filming and analysis to improve your swimming along the way.
What's happening:
A once-in-a-lifetime swimming tour of the Galapagos Islands
Location:
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
When:
April 28 – May 6th, 2025
Pricing and room options:
Single – $9000 USD
Twin-share – $7200 USD per person
25% deposit is required for your booking, with the final payment due 120 days before the camp begins.
Please note: If you are booking twin-share, we will place you with another swimmer of the same sex unless you are booking with a friend/partner. Please advise us after booking (each person must complete a separate booking)
What's included:
Premier accommodation
Daily breakfasts and lunches, along with snacks, drinks/water, coffee/tea during included swims and swimming days
All transportation (boat and other) as outlined in the itinerary, including conservation entry and park fees.
Airport transfers: arrival to the hotel and departure from the hotel to the airport.
Services of a local professional multilingual naturalist guide from Galapagos National Park (GNP) for 7 days of swimming.
What's not:
- Airfares to / from Baltra Airport
- Dinners
- Taxes (around USD$120 payable on arrival)
Itinerary
DAY ONE - SANTA CRUZ - April 28
AM: Arrival in Baltra from mainland
PM: Check-in at Finch Bay Hotel
PM: Light swim at Playa Los Alamanes with underwater filming and analysis in the hotel pool
Our base is on the waterfront for our Santa Cruz nights in Puerto Ayora. To familiarize ourselves with the local conditions, we will enjoy a swim close to our hotel.
This will be followed by underwater filming and analysis with the trip’s swim coach and former New Zealand Olympic coach Gary Hurring. Even in such close proximity to our hotel, the unique wildlife will be ever-present.
Following some time to rest and relax, we will convene for dinner.
DAY TWO - SANTA CRUZ - April 29
AM: Technique session with Olympic coach Gary Hurring
PM: Swim from Playa Los Alamanes to rocky point (2000m)
Begin the day with a technique session in the hotel pool which overlooks the sandy cove beach out front. Olympic Coach Gary Hurring will take you through a session that will improve your efficiency and speed in the water. This is the perfect way to prepare for the upcoming swims.
Our afternoon swim will leave from in front of the hotel, as we swim our way between the local island and mainland through to a nearby bay and volcanic rock point. You may see turtles, stingrays and many fish on this swim.
DAY THREE - ISABELA - April 30
AM: Transfer from Santa Cruz to Isabela
AM: Tour Los Tuneles
Accommodation at Iguana Crossing Hotel
Will go by a very comfortable catamaran (Element) to Isabela island.
On arrival at Isabela, we check into our accommodation. It is located on a beautiful sandy beach in a wonderful location. If the beach looks inviting a pre dinner swim can be taken and enjoyed. After some time to rest and relax we will meet for dinner at the hotel and explore our new town base and its options.
We will then board a speed boat that will take us to Los Tuneles (The Tunnels). This is one of the most spectacular places to snorkel in Isabela. Water is not deep, it is calm and quite clear. A marine sanctuary. A series of lava flows produced unique geological formations, a series of arches and tunnels, above and below the water, where a large number of endemic species live. The entrance by boat to this place is not deep, but the waves can be strong. Therefore, the access is not always feasible.
DAY FOUR - ISABELA - May 1
AM: Swimming at 4 Hermanos (one islet) (1600m)
PM: Swimming at 4 Hermanos (another islet) (2200 mts)
This morning we will depart to Cuatro Hermanos (Crossman Islets), 4 islets on the eastern side of Sierra Negra volcano, where Puerto Villamil is located. The swim is along a wall where we will see many species attached to it, besides all the species that will swim with us, schools of fish and rays, and maybe even sea lions.
We will have time to snorkel, lunch on board, and then a second swim.
In the afternoon, we will have time to walk or run the beautiful beach at Puerto Villamil.
DAY FIVE - ISABELA - May 2
AM: Swimming at Tortuga Island (3000 mts)
After breakfast, we depart Puerto Villamil, Isabela’s main town, towards Tortuga island. This is the remains of an ancient, eroded volcano, where we will see a variety of seabirds that rest and nest here, as well as some marine iguanas and sea lions. The wind and wave action eroded the volcano to a protected cove, where we will have a swim and will come across a few marine species.
PM: Tortoise Breeding Center, Muro de Las Lagrimas
After lunch, we will walk through brackish-water lagoons in route to the Tortoise Breeding Center.
DAY SIX - SANTA CRUZ - May 3
AM: Transfer to Santa Cruz
Sailing onboard The Element, we return from Isabela to Puerto Ayora, arriving at noon.
Check-in at Hotel Blu Galapagos
PM: Swimming from Blu Galapagos to Darwin Station Beach (1700 – 2000 mts one way)
Our base is on the waterfront for our Santa Cruz nights in Puerto Ayora. To familiarize ourselves with the local conditions, we will enjoy a swim close to our hotel—a route favored by locally-based ocean swimmers, who may be up for a chat if we are fortunate enough to encounter any.
You can either enjoy a swim back or take a leisurely stroll to return to base (we will have your gear waiting). Even in such close proximity to our hotel, the unique wildlife will be ever-present.
Following some time to rest and relax, we will convene for dinner.
DAY SEVEN - SANTA FE - May 4
AM: Swimming in Santa Fe (section 1) (2500 mts)
PM: Swimming in Santa Fe (section 2) (2000 mts)
Today, we visit Santa Fe Island, southeast of Santa Cruz, beginning with a swim along the coastline where we’ll encounter tropical fish, eagle rays, and sea lions. After anchoring in Barrington Bay for lunch, we conclude our adventure with a final swim starting in the bay. These swims are renowned for abundant birdlife, stunning landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and playful sea lions, with colonies of land iguanas roaming the island.
DAY EIGHT - PINZON - May 5
AM: Swimming in Pinzon (2000 – 2500m)
This morning, we journey to uninhabited Pinzon Island. We’ll swim around part of the island, encountering abundant marine life, including sea lions, marine iguanas, and local seals, in the nearby coves, bays, and coastline.
Lunch will be served onboard, followed by snorkeling to further enrich the adventure.
PM: Swimming in Daphne Minor (1350 mts)
Daphne Minor offers a unique experience as swimmers observe the plethora of benthic organisms adorning the island’s underwater walls, creating a vibrant undersea world. Seahorses can be spotted among the black corals, while Galápagos Sharks, rays, and sea turtles are frequently sighted.
When we return to Puerto Ayora, you have time to relax before dinner.
DAY NINE - SANTA CRUZ - May 6
AM: Check-out and departure to Baltra
After breakfast, we will depart the hotel by bus, taking you across the island and Itabaca Canal until the airport, where we will say good-bye before you take your return flight.
SWIM CAMP Gallery
“Welcome to the Galapagos Islands!”
The Galapagos Islands are an oasis for people who want an active holiday destination to explore a place of incredible beauty…that time forgot.
We look forward to welcoming you there in April 2025!
Hotel Lobby: “Welcome to Thanyapura!”
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What People Are Saying About The TRIP
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend flying in on the morning of April 28th to allow time to get through immigration and to transfer to the hotel. If you would prefer to arrive a day early, our first hotel is Finch Bay hotel. Please let us know if you require additional days.
Yes! Non-swimming partners can attend this trip. There are many opportunities for them to snorkel at some of the different areas we visit. Because of the limited space available on the boat the pricing is the same for swimmers and non-swimmers.
There will be two swimming groups during the trip which are supported by a boat and a kayak. We have a minimum requirement for swimmers attending the trip to be able to complete 1km in 25 mins.
Breakfasts and lunches are covered during your trip. Dinners are on you, offering a chance to discover local eateries at your leisure and we will have opportunities for some special group dinners during the trip.
Typically, dinner prices vary between $25-$35 for set menus or buffets, with soft drinks at $1-$2 and beers at $2-$4. Keep in mind, some dining spots may only take cash, so it’s good to have some on hand.
For health reasons, we advise sticking to bottled water for drinking and even brushing your teeth in the Galapagos. Both hotels provide water refilling stations for your convenience.
You can expect to swim 2-4km each day. There may be opportunities to do more than this for swimmers who would like to swim a bit further.
There is a 25% deposit required for this trip, which is fully refundable up to 14 days after booking.
Cancellation of your trip up to 120 days or more before the start of the trip allows you to keep your deposit as credit with us which can be rolled over to another trip within 12 months.
Cancellation of your booking from 120 days or less to the start of the trip is non-refundable.
If Effortless Swimming cancels the trip for any reason a full refund will be provided.
Bookings can be made directly through this website. If booking a twin shared room, BOTH swimmers must book a spot separately. Your 25% deposit secures your spots, and final payment of the balance is due 120 days before the start of the trip.
If you are booking twin-share, we will place you with another swimmer of the same sex. However if you are booking with a friend/partner please let us know after booking. Each person must complete a seperate booking.
Have other questions?
Call us in Australia on 1300755088 or contact us here.
