Isla de la Plata: Wildlife Trails & Snorkeling at Machalilla Park
Description
Explore the "Little Galapagos" on this nature-focused walking tour to Isla de la Plata in Machalilla National Park. Stroll scenic trails with bilingual guides to observe blue-footed and masked boobies, frigatebirds, and seabirds in their habitat. The experience includes snorkeling with sea turtles and colorful fish. We may spot dolphins and other marine animals (Dec-May). Ecuador is a humpback whale reproduction area, guaranteeing sightings during their season (Jun-Oct). Visit our small Whale & Dolphin Information Center at the Palo Santo office featuring educational displays, whale bones, regional stories, and a whale-themed store. A naturalist shares educational insights about local ecology. This 7-hour experience combines walking, nature observation, and learning in one of Ecuador's diverse ecosystems. We provide equipment, lunch, and water. Small groups ensure a personalized experience for families and nature enthusiasts.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Discover the nature of the "Little Galapagos" with this expedition to Isla de la Plata in Machalilla National Park. On this educational outing, you'll walk scenic trails where you'll observe blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, frigatebirds, and various seabirds in their natural environment. Your bilingual guides will explain the biodiversity and ecological importance of the island. The program includes time for snorkeling where you can see sea turtles, tropical fish, and occasionally sea lions. Between June and October, you'll have a 100% confirmed opportunity to observe whales that migrate to Ecuadorian waters to mate and reproduce. From January to May, there's a great possibility of encountering dolphins, manta rays, and other species of marine fauna during the tour. We meet in our office Palo Santo Travel in front of the navy in the Puerto Lopez malecon.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(9)
Tour was great, though I wish it was a little more whale centered. It’s advertised as whale watching, but we spent like 10 min looking at whales. I think I would have preferred more whale time instead of the snorkeling (but this is coming from someone who has done a lot of snorkeling). The hiking part was great because we saw a lot of birds. If you want to see the blue footed boobie- this is the tour for you.
We had a great time and enjoyed it a lot. The Isla de la Plata tour is a lovely experience, from the journey to the island, the hike, its wonderful landscapes, the birds, fish, turtles, the clean and fresh water for snorkeling, everything is perfect for sharing with family and friends. The attention at reception, our guide Galito, and Captain Silvano were all very kind, excellent service from Palo Santo Travel. Thank you very much🤗
Alan was a fantastic guide - purely bi-lingual and the heart of a great teacher - he was very helpful to a lady who was having trouble with the climb - showed he cares
Prepared to walk the sun
Myself and my friends absolutely loved this tour! And we loved the amazing staff who were working on the boat, and Silvano our guide. The lunch sandwiches were delicious and definitely needed after the hike, and it was great to have Silvano showing us the different animals, birds, and fish on both the walk and hike. There was another family group on the boat with us who were really nice too, but it didn't feel overcrowded at all. And we saw dolphins and turtles!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 🌊✨ We’re truly happy to know that you and your friends had such an amazing and memorable experience with us. Seeing blue-footed boobies, dolphins, and turtles in one day is always something special, and we’re glad you enjoyed every part of the tour. We are proud to have an excellent team — our guides (both men and women), captains, and our office and reservation staff all work together to create a safe, well-organized, and truly unique experience. It’s a full team effort, and reviews like yours mean a lot to all of us. At this time of the year, there is around a 60% chance of spotting dolphins, and occasionally we can also encounter Bryde’s whales, making each trip different and exciting 🐬🐋 For future travelers: we are a fully legal and certified operator, located right in front of the Malecón at the Naval checkpoint in Puerto López, making your reservation easy, safe, and reliable. We would love to welcome you again! Feel free to book in advance and experience Isla de la Plata with us 🌿✨ Warm regards, Palo Santo Travel Team
We joined a Isla de la Plata tour with private transfer from Guayaquil. This is a convenient way without hassle arranging public transport to and from Puerto Lopez. We walked trails in the island, and saw a number of boobies. This is not breeding or whale season, therefore frigatebirds are not their most beautiful. Snorkeling near island is easy, have many corals and fish. Most surprising is green turtles coming to our boat. A valuable trip.
Thank you so much for your review! 🌊 We’re really happy you enjoyed the tour and the private transfer from Guayaquil — it definitely makes the trip much easier and more comfortable. Even outside whale season, Isla de la Plata always has beautiful wildlife, and seeing turtles around the boat is always a special surprise 🐢 We have a great team — guides, captains, and office staff — all working together to make the experience safe and enjoyable. For future travelers: we are a legal and certified operator, located right in front of the Malecón at the Naval checkpoint in Puerto López. We also offer private transfers from Guayaquil, Manta, Portoviejo, Salinas, and Montañita after booking your tour. Hope to see you again soon, maybe during whale season (june-october)! 🐋✨
Very fun and very friendly and attentive staff, in the accommodation perhaps the room could be better, not because it was ugly or dirty, it was in excellent condition, but they promoted with a small balcony and gave us one with only a window
Excellent tour, perfect timing, 10/10 Service and the super safe Silver Island Snorkeling experience, plus we had excellent whale watching weather which gave a bonus to the experience. 100% recommended
¡Gracias por compartir tu experiencia en nuestro tour en Isla de la Plata! Nos alegra saber que disfrutaste un tour de avistamiento de ballenas seguro y emocionante, con un timing perfecto y un servicio de alta calidad (10/10). La experiencia de snorkel en Isla de la Plata es sin duda uno de los atractivos más destacados de nuestros paquetes turísticos en Puerto López. Contar con un clima excelente para observar ballenas hace que esta aventura marina sea aún más especial y memorable. En Palo Santo Travel nos esforzamos por ofrecer tours responsables, seguros y educativos, ideales para los amantes de la naturaleza y la vida marina. ¡Gracias por recomendarnos al 100%! Te esperamos pronto para seguir explorando juntos la increíble biodiversidad del océano Pacífico en Ecuador.
It's been one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. Wonderful humpback whale watching with respectful approach. The hike to the Island allowed us to see the different birds in their habitat, at all times accompanied by the guide and his explanations, is totally worth it. We snorkeled with turtles. Very remarkable is that each trip allows the foundation to conduct research to protect and conserve these beautiful animals. The agency’s guides and researchers are very friendly people, always attentive to us and with great enthusiasm. Scientific tourism and excellence. 100% recommended!
¡Muchas gracias por compartir esta hermosa experiencia! Nos alegra profundamente saber que tuviste un avistamiento respetuoso y maravilloso de ballenas jorobadas, y que disfrutaste la caminata por la isla observando aves en su hábitat natural. Nuestro compromiso es ofrecer turismo científico y de excelencia, con guías apasionados y atentos que acompañan cada paso del recorrido con explicaciones claras y enriquecedoras. El snorkeling con tortugas es sin duda uno de los momentos más especiales, y nos enorgullece que cada viaje contribuya a la conservación y protección de estos hermosos animales marinos. Gracias por recomendarnos al 100%. Será un placer volver a recibirte para seguir explorando juntos la biodiversidad única del océano Pacífico en Ecuador.
