Ecuador

Ecuador is a top pelagic birding destination thanks to the Galapagos Islands and the productive waters off the mainland coast. Trips from San Cristobal and Puerto Ayora target iconic species like Waved Albatross, Galapagos Petrel, and Galapagos Shearwater. Mainland pelagics from ports such as Puerto Lopez offer Parkinson's Petrel and Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel, with the best conditions typically from June to November.

Sub-regions

All Trips in Ecuador

Birding Ecotours Galapagos Natural History Extravaganza

Birding Ecotours

Ecuador › Galapagos
  • Baltra Island, Galapagos
  • August–September; annual 12-day cruise aboard the motor yacht Samba (4–14 participants)
  • USD 9,200 per person (double occupancy; includes Quito–Baltra–Quito flights)
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Field Guides Galapagos Birding Cruise

Field Guides

Ecuador › Galapagos
  • Baltra Island, Galapagos
  • June–July; annual departures (10 days aboard 75-ft catamaran)
  • USD 8,550 per person (double occupancy)
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Naturalist Journeys Galapagos Nature & Birding Cruise

Naturalist Journeys

Ecuador › Galapagos
  • Baltra Island, Galapagos
  • Annual departure; typically October–November or March (8-day cruise, 16-passenger catamaran)
  • USD 7,995–9,490 per person (double occupancy)
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Tropical Birding Galapagos Endemics Cruise

Tropical Birding

Ecuador › Galapagos
  • Baltra Island, Galapagos
  • Multiple departures April–September; 8–10 days aboard a 16-passenger yacht
  • USD 6,000–9,000 per person
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WINGS Galapagos Islands Birding Cruise

WINGS Birding Tours

Ecuador › Galapagos
  • Baltra Island, Galapagos
  • Late May to early June; annual 11-day cruise aboard the Nemo III
  • USD 8,550 per person (double occupancy)
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Ecuador Bird Watching — Isla de la Plata Seabird Tour

Ecuador Bird Watching (Sandra Plúa)

Ecuador › Manabí
  • Puerto López, Manabí
  • Year-round daily departures; whale-watching season June–October adds cetacean encounters
  • USD 85 per person
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Palo Santo Travel — Isla de la Plata Day Tour

Palo Santo Travel

Ecuador › Manabí
  • Puerto López, Manabí
  • Daily departures year-round; departs 09:10, returns 16:00–17:00 (extended in whale season)
  • USD 45 per person
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Further Reading

Best Pelagic Birding Trips in Ecuador

A guide to Ecuador's best pelagic birding trips: Galápagos cruises to the Waved Albatross colony on Española, and Isla de la Plata's 'Poor Man's Galápagos' day trips from Puerto López.

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Best Places to See Penguins on Pelagic Trips

A guide to where to see penguins on pelagic birding trips worldwide, led by Galápagos Penguin — the only penguin species found north of the equator, seen at Fernandina on every Galápagos cruise itinerary.

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Where to See Albatrosses on Pelagic Birding Trips

A guide to where to see albatrosses on pelagic trips worldwide, including the Waved Albatross — the world's only tropical albatross — breeding on Española Island in the Galápagos and encountered on every specialist Galápagos cruise plus Isla de la Plata's 'Poor Man's Galápagos' day trips.

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Explore Other Regions

United States 20 trips Australia 10 trips Chile 8 trips New Zealand 8 trips

Frequently Asked Questions

How many pelagic birding trips are there in Ecuador?

Ecuador has 7 pelagic birding trips listed in the directory, spanning 2 sub-regions.

Where do pelagic trips depart from in Ecuador?

Pelagic trips in Ecuador depart from Baltra Island, Galapagos and Puerto López, Manabí.

Which operators run pelagic trips in Ecuador?

Birding Ecotours, Ecuador Bird Watching (Sandra Plúa), Field Guides, Naturalist Journeys, Palo Santo Travel, Tropical Birding, and WINGS Birding Tours operate pelagic birding trips in Ecuador.

What are the main pelagic birding regions in Ecuador?

Ecuador's pelagic trips are spread across Galapagos and Manabí.