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National Registration Nº 1391785240001.001.5000046

Welcome to Narwell Tours

Shore Excursions & Multi Day Tours in Manta, Ecuador

Locally owned and operated for over 13 years, we design shore excursions and multi-day tours that protect and celebrate Manta’s natural beauty, culture, and traditions — from artisan chocolate farms to pristine national parks and secluded villages off the beaten path.

Your journey along the Ecuadorian coast starts here.

Guaranteed Return to Ship

Our Best Sellers – Shore Excursions in Manta

Full Day Most popular

A Taste of Ecuador

7.5 hours · Fish market, Pacoche & Montecristi

Our signature day on the coast: the working fish market, howler monkeys in the Pacoche forest, a local lunch, and the Panama hat town of Montecristi.

From USD 84 per person

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Manta and Montecristi highlights coastal city tour Ecuador

Half Day

Manta & Montecristi Highlights

Half day · A tale of two coastal cities

The essentials in half a day: Manta’s fish market and viewpoints, then the artisan town of Montecristi where genuine Panama hats are woven by hand.

From USD 65 per person

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Half Day

Pacoche Wildlife Refuge

4.5 hours · Coastal cloud forest & wildlife

Thirty minutes from the port, a pocket of coastal forest where howler monkeys, frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies live above the Pacific cliffs.

From USD 65 per person

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The Galápagos, the Way It Was Meant to Be Experienced

Small-ship cruises for up to 16 passengers. Expert naturalist guides. Three vessel classes.

Luxury

Galaxy Sirius & Alya

2 vessels · Catamaran

Boutique catamaran cruising with private balcony cabins, elevated dining, and an atmosphere that feels more like a private charter than a tour.

From USD 5,700 per person

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First Class Most popular

Galaxy Yacht & Ecogalaxy

2 vessels · Yacht & Catamaran

The perfect balance of comfort, wildlife access, and value. Spacious cabins, excellent cuisine, and the full Galápagos experience without compromise.

From USD 4,100 per person

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Tourist Superior

Bonita

1 vessel · Motor Yacht

The most accessible way to experience a real Galápagos cruise — without giving up the small-ship intimacy, the expert guides, or the wildlife encounters that matter.

From USD 2,900 per person

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Since 2012

Creating Lasting Memories

What Travelers Say About Us

Testimonials

The Chocolate Road tour was fabulous–the highlight of my 3-week trip! We learned about cacao production, finkas, etc. We got to eat fresh coconuts and cacao fruit (yummy!), and, at the factory, hot chocolate, chocolates, and cocoa liqueur. Our guide, Nelson, was very knowledgeable and friendly, and provided a very local, personal tour of the region. There was some confusion in the terminal about the start time and which guide we were with, but everyone from Narwell had a list of who was doing what, and we just had to get to the right person.

AnneMarie JChocolate Road

Last May, my parents and I decided to head to the Galapagos Islands. Discovering a desolated group of islands seemed unfeasible in just two months’ time. Together with Narwell tours we created a two-week tour discovering the best places on the islands for wildlife watching and exploring unspoiled landscapes. During this planning period Narwell Tours was considerate with all three of our wishes and requests. We enjoyed rough and amazing places in the best comfort possible! Viewing the islands immense lava flows from a small plane, cruising the wild Pacific on a luxury yacht, climbing on and inside forgotten volcanoes, snorkeling with hammerhead sharks and walking along ancient Giants. We were able to enjoy all of this to the fullest thanks to the smooth and almost spotless service. Thanks!

Wouter PTwo Weeks Galapagos Adventure

We visited the Manta region in January 2022, and had such a great time with Gabriel during our day-long excursion, that we ended up scheduling a second day with him!
Not only was his touring amazingly informational, his general conversation, as a Manta-native, provided so many additional, unexpected insights into the region, the culture, and the community.
I cannot recommend Narwell tours enough- from the moment we reached out a few months ahead of time to saying our farewells on our second tour, Gabriel exceed every expectation.

Michael LNeed a tour in Manta? Look no further.

I was in Manta for a few weeks and wanted to explore more of the coast and was connected to Gabriel at Narwell Tours. It couldn’t have been a better connection. Through Whats App, they were able to provide us with a ride to Puerto Lopez, a hotel and set up a tour for us at Isla Plata. The next few days were all so easily planned, we were in touch via Whats App and they saw to every detail. Highly recommend Narwell tours for anyone looking for a helpful friend to help source what fun activities you are looking to do while in this magical country!

Sebastian AlappatIsla de La Plata

Great way to experience Equadoor with only a day stop on our cruise. Gaby was such a great guide, and her English was impeccable. Interesting to find that this is the Tuna capital. Next time you open a tin, it probably came from here.

Phil PTaste of Ecuador

Had a wonderful tour in Manta, Ecuador. Jonathan was friendly, professional and highly knowledgeable, and took us to several places, including a fish market, a nature reserve and to see how Panama hats are made. I highly recommend this tour company!

Wendy WExcellent tour at a great price!

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Frequently asked questions

Where do cruise ships dock in Manta, and how do I get into town?

Ships dock at Manta’s working commercial port, alongside the tuna fleet. On every cruise day the port runs a complimentary shuttle between the ship and the passenger terminal. From the terminal, downtown Manta and Murciélago Beach are about 2 km away — a 5-minute taxi or a flat 20-minute walk. Montecristi, home of the genuine Panama hat, is about 30 minutes by road.

Is it safe to book a shore excursion independently instead of through the cruise line?

Yes, when you book with a licensed local operator. Narwell Tours is a registered Ecuadorian tour operator based in Manta, operating small groups of no more than 10–14 guests. Compared with ship-organized tours, you save meaningfully for a comparable itinerary while travelling in a smaller group with a local guide.

Will I make it back to the ship in time?

Yes. We build every itinerary backwards from your ship’s all-aboard time with a wide safety margin, and our guides monitor the schedule throughout the day. In over a decade operating in Manta we have never had a guest miss a departure, which is why we offer a guaranteed return to ship.

What currency is used, and do I need cash?

Ecuador uses the US dollar. Bring small bills for the market, taxis, and artisan purchases; cards are accepted only in larger restaurants and malls. No currency exchange is needed for visitors from the United States.

What happens if my ship cannot dock or the port call is cancelled?

If your ship cancels the port call, you pay nothing and any deposit is refunded in full. We monitor every scheduled call and adjust or cancel tours accordingly, so there is no risk to you if the itinerary changes.

Who is Narwell Tours?

Narwell Tours is a licensed shore excursion operator based in Manta, Ecuador, operating since 2012. We are locally owned and run, and specialise in small-group day tours for cruise passengers — from Montecristi and the Pacoche forest to Isla de la Plata and Machalilla National Park.

Travel Notes

Blog

Independent Shore Excursions vs Cruise Line Tours in Manta: An Honest Local’s Guide

A Manta-based operator's honest comparison of independent shore excursions versus cruise line tours — price, group size, the return-to-ship question, and when each option is genuinely the better choice.

Cruise ship at Port of Manta Ecuador 2025 2026 season

Blog

Explore Manta, Ecuador: Shore Excursions & Day Tours for the 2026-2027 Cruise Season

Every cruise ship calling at Manta in the 2026-2027 season, with arrival and departure times and passenger counts — from Crown Princess and Oosterdam to the 5,078-guest Carnival Firenze.

Manta Ecuador coastal experiences shore excursion

Blog

Start Your Year in Ecuador: 7 Experiences You Can Only Have in Manta

Seven things you can do in Manta and nowhere else — from howler monkeys in the coastal forest to hats woven by hand in Montecristi, gathered as a starting point for a year in Ecuador.

Blog

Port of Call Manta: What is it like?

What to expect from a port day in Manta — the award-winning cruise terminal, the working tuna port behind it, and how far the forest, the beaches and the Panama hat weavers really are from the gangway.