The animals never learned to fear people — snorkel with sea lions, step over iguanas.
Snorkel with sea lions
The pups play chicken with your mask — Concha de Perla or any cruise stop.
Tortuga Bay walk
Santa Cruz's white crescent, marine iguanas dozing on the path.
Giant tortoises in the highlands
El Chato ranch: prehistoric giants grazing in the mist.
Kicker Rock day trip
Hammerheads and turtles in the channel between the cliffs.
Choose: cruise or island-hop
Cruises reach the far islands; land-based is cheaper and calmer. Both work.