Most tours to Las Tintoreras are half-day boat excursions that leave from Puerto Villamil. From the port, the boat ride is about 20 minutes to the islets, which get their name from the white-tip sharks that inhabit the area. Look out for a menagerie of marine creatures including sea lions, marine iguanas, blue footed boobies, Sally Lightfoot crabs, sea turtles, manta rays, white-tip sharks, pelicans, Galapagos penguins, and countless tropical fish. The tour is divided between walking along the lava rocks and either snorkeling or kayaking. Some tours offer underwater photography as part of the package, which is helpful so you don’t have to worry about missing the best shots.
Las Tintoreras is located at just half a mile (800 meters) from Puerto Villamil on the island of Isabela. The site is only available to visitors on organized tours. To get to Isabela, fly into the airport or take a ferry from Santa Cruz island.
Peak season in Las Tintoreras runs through the spring, when temperatures are moderate, and one of the major attractions, the penguins, can be spotted easily. Summer afternoons are a bit hot; otherwise the climate is pleasant throughout.
Located along the southeastern Isabela island, west of Puerto Villamil, Los Tuneles is a complex of ancient lava formations in which an extraordinary abundance of life thrives. Over time, lava flows have created hundreds of tunnels and arches above and below the water, providing natural homes and ecosystems for blue footed boobies, white-tip sharks, sea lions, penguins, sea turtles—and seahorses. Organized snorkeling trips allow up-close encounters.