Orientation
On your arrival at the project on Isabela Island you will have a comprehensive orientation, explaining what you will be doing during the project, your tasks, ideas about what to do in your free time, and health and safety considerations. This will also be a chance for you to ask any questions that you have about the project.
Accommodation and Meals
On Sunday and Monday nights you will be staying at a hostel in Quito. On arrival at Santa Cruz Island you will have one night's accommodation before travelling onto Isabela Island. While on Santa Cruz Island you will receive two meals a day.
During your volunteer work on Isabela you will be staying at a volunteer house. The accommodation is in a great location, nearby the central square. There are two double bedrooms, two single bedrooms, kitchen facilities and a nice garden. Each room has a private bathroom and bed sheets are provided but you will need to bring your own towels.
During your stay on Isabela you will have three meals a day included. Lunch and dinner will generally be soup, a main dish and a drink. Drinks and extra meal options will be available at an additional cost. It is recommended that you drink bottled water (a 4-litre bottle will cost approx $3.50 US).
Free Time
During your free time you will be perfectly placed to make the most of exploring the islands. Just some of the activities available to you are:
- Explore the ocean and scuba or snorkel among tropical marine life, hammerhead sharks, and rays. There are dozens of hidden coves where you can snorkel the days away and some top dive schools on the island for beginners and advanced divers alike.
- Scuba dive, or snorkel at the beaches East of the Port, the main one is Concha Perla, where you will have the opportunity to observe sea lions, flamingos, and different species of birds and fish.
- Join an organised tour to the Sierra Negra volcano, located 1.3 miles from Puerto Villamil, the World's second largest volcanic crater measuring six miles in diameter and 300 feet deep.
- Visit Las Grietas, an interesting site where you will be able to see the white-tipped sharks. Local fishermen will arrange a trip for around $10 US per boat but always try to bargain with them!
- Visit to the Flamingo lagoon, the largest coastal lagoon in Galapagos
- Go to Islote Tintoreras, a large crevice with very clear, calm water in which white-tip sharks (tintoreras) rest daily on the bottom. You can also see Penguins, Sea Lions, marine Iguanas and snorkel with sharks and colourful tropical fish while enjoying the beaches of Isabela.
Please Note: Optional activities will be at an extra cost.
Project Support
Throughout your stay in Galapagos you will have the full support and guidance of the onsite coordinators. You will be provided with competent assistance and help with any questions or advice you may need during your stay.
In addition, you will have access to our 24-hour emergency number in the UK, so you can always contact a member of our UK team should you need to.
Project Age Limit
Minimum 17 years with written parental consent, maximum depends on potential participants’ health.
Project Requirements
All the volunteers need to have some knowledge of the Spanish language before starting their volunteer work. It will benefit you greatly if you are able to converse in Spanish at a basic level, not only with the volunteer work but also just generally getting around and speaking to locals. If you do not already speak Spanish it is strongly recommended you take our language course prior to beginning the programme. These are available for 1-4 weeks.
