Galapagos Sea Star Travel Company

I booked a day trip to Bartolome from Santa Cruz Island. The night before trip I was received notification that an immediate family member had passed away. I notified Sea Star Travel via phone message and email that night in the midst of trying until 3AM to arrange emergency travel back to the US and again via email after returning to the US. We heard nothing from Sea Star Travel and of course had paid in full prior to the trip. Vert disappointed at the lack of professionalism in not responding. Cannot recommend this company as a tour operator.

We were so pleased with the 8-Day Island Hopping Tour Package with Galapagos Sea Star Travel! All of the guides and tours were amazing! We were able to see many wildlife and learn a lot about each and every one of them. Transfers and hotel accomodations with breakfast and lunch for each day we're included! Hotels we stayed at were Villa Laguna at Puerto Ayora and Hotel Cally at Puerto Villamil. Both hotels are very near restaurants and local shops. From the very beginning we had points of contact with the Travel Agency (Anny) through WhatsApp. After landing at the Baltra airport (GPS), we were met by our Santa Cruz Guide, Rodrigo, who spoke English and Spanish. He was our guide for the various tours on Santa Cruz (Day 1 + Day 4 + Day 8). He had a vast amount of knowledge and was very friendly. The guide helped us through all of the water taxis, boat rides, and transfers from port to hotel. Our first visit was to Charles Darwin Research Center where we got a chance to learn a lot about the giant tortoises, finches, mockingbird, and vegetation. Day 2 - 3 were on Isabella Island where we were met by another guide Julio. The first tour was to the Galapagos Tortoise breeding center and then snorkeling in Tintoreras Islet. Here we saw many large sea turtles as well as a pair of Galapagos Penguins! Day 3 tour was a 10mile hike to Volcano Chico to view the Sierra Negra Caldera. Our guide, Alfredo, was vastly knowledgeable about geology and the formations caused by the volcanic activity. During the hike, we were able to see a pair (male and female) of the rare Vermillion Flycatchers. After the hike, we went back to Puerto Villamil and had a short walk to Concha Perla for snorkeling. Here we interacted with a sea lion pup while snorkeling! Day 4 was a boat ride return to Santa Cruz Island. The tour was to El Chato Ranch, where we could get really close to the giant tortoises and see them in their natural habitat. The ranch also served very good empanadas, coffee, and lemongrass tea. Afterwards we had a short walk tour through the lava tunnels. Day 5-7 tours were interchangeable based on conditions, but the order in which we visited the islands were Day 5-North Seymour, Day 6-South Plaza, and Day 7-Bartolome/Santiago. Our guide for these tours was Camilo and the crew of the Narel. The food served for lunch on the boat was nothing short of spectacular! The crew and guide were so friendly and nice. Each island gave us something remarkable to remember. Seymour provided us Blue Footed Boobies, Brown Pelicans, and Frigate Birds nesting area. South Plaza we were able to see the sea lion colony as well as the Nazcar Boobies in air. Here we were able to see many land iguanas! During our boat ride to Bartolome, we saw a pod of dolphins that swam along the boat for about 10 minutes! Bartolome was a beautiful hike up to see the famous Pinnacle Rock. Afterwards we snorkeled on the southeast coast of Santiago where we saw Galapagos penguins swimming as we were in the water!! Day 8 was a quick hike through the Twin Craters before departing Galapagos to head back home. Such a memorable experience! Thank you to all of our guides, the boat crews, and Galapagos Sea Star for helping us arrange it all! Also thanks to the people of the Galapagos for being so welcoming and kind!