Catch a beautiful sunset during your Galapagos vacation.

Explore the different islands in the Galapagos, to find which islands are best suited for your Galapagos vacation.

Set Sail to the South Islands of the Galapagos:

Found in the south part of the Galapagos Islands, travelers can visit San Cristobal in which Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galapagos province, is located. This is the main tourist center of all the islands after Santa Cruz. The island is known as the wild life hotspot, where travelers can view a wide variety of animals including sea lions, giant tortoises, blue and red-footed boobies, and dolphins. Visit the Galapagos National Park Visitors Center to gain a true understanding of the conservation efforts on the islands as well as an in-depth understanding of the history of Galapagos. A great place for water exploration sits on the northwest coast of San Cristobal, Kicker Rock, and is a great place to snorkel and scuba dive.

Diving and snorkeling provide spectacular views of Galapagos wildlife.

Also found in the south, Floreana is the island with the richest human history, where many from pirates to settlers and explorers, have stopped. The volcano erosion here has created lush landscapes and is a beautiful place to visit on your Galapagos vacation. Travel to the Devil’s Crown, one of the best places to snorkel in the Galapagos. At the Devil’s Crown an entire volcano is submerged under water providing a one of a kind snorkeling experience. Snorkelers can view sea lions, tortoise, balloon fish, hammerhead sharks, tiger snake eels, and more while snorkeling the Devil’s Crown.

Wade in the Waters of the West Galapagos Islands:

The largest island of the entire archipelago is Isabela, which is larger than the rest of the islands combined. Isabela was the result of six merging volcanoes, five of which are still active. This island is mostly visited on longer cruises, but is a great place for travelers to see wildlife. Travelers can start their explorations in Puerto Villamil, where a giant tortoise breeding center is surrounded by gorgeous lagoons filled with flamingos and bird life. A once in a lifetime experience can be found at the Concha Perla Lagoon, where travelers can hike the trail to the lagoon and swim with sea lions. On the west coast of Isabela visit Elizabeth Bay where the largest concentration of Galapagos penguins can be found. The island of Isabela is home to 95% of the Galapagos penguin population.

Penguins are just one of the many animals you will see on your trip to the Galapagos Islands.

Frenandina is another western Galapagos wonder, as it is an active shield volcano. Though this is the youngest of the Galapagos Islands, it is still a very popular tourist attraction. Visitors travel to view the wide variety of Galapagos animals that live here including the flightless cormorant, pelicans, penguins, and sea lions. Here you can also visit Punta Espionas where marine iguanas lounge on the lava rocks.

Navigate North:

Though most of the northern chain of the Galapagos Islands is closed to visitors the natural beauty found here is still a sight to see. One of the few islands that can be visited on a Galapagos cruise is Genovesa also known as Bird Island. The island provides views of thousands of birds; visit Darwin Bay where Swallow-tailed gulls, red-footed boobies, lava gulls, and Darwin finches can be spotted. Or make the journey up Philip’s steps which is a bird watching highland that rises 25 miles in elevation, providing excellent birdlife and views of the area.

Cruise to the Central Islands:

Observe fish, tortoise, and other marine life on your Galapagos adventures.

Santa Cruz: As the most developed and visited of the islands, it has the largest human population. Most travelers will stop in Santa Cruz, whether arriving at one of the airports or catching a cruise, it is the jump off point for many Galapagos expeditions. The island itself also provides a variety of activities. Visit Las Grietas which is a gorge with a pool of crystal blue water at the bottom, and is the perfect place to go snorkeling or swimming. Another great sight is Los Gemelos, which is comprised of two sunken volcanic craters which are located at the highest point of the island amongst the clouds.

Be sure to visit Bahia Tortuga, with one of the most beautiful beaches on the islands, travelers can view turtles which use the shores to lay their eggs. Another turtle hotspot is the National Park Tortoise Reserve. This is one of the few places where you can see the Galapagos turtles in the wild. The park is a must see on any trip to the Galapagos Islands.

Another central island is San Salvador or Santiago, which was the first island discovered by Christopher Columbus. Visit the island’s natural landmarks including Puerto Egas and Sullivan Bay. Puerto Egas is a lava shoreline home to a variety of wildlife and also a great place to snorkel. Sullivan Bay is perfect for travelers wanting to explore the hardened black lava flows and petrified lava bubbles.

The Galapagos Islands offer a beautiful Latin America vacation; explore the waters and wild life on one of the many islands. Learn more about the Galapagos Islands with this Galapagos Travel Guide!

Start planning your fully customized Galapagos tour by contacting one of our expert travel advisors at Latin America For Less. 

The Galapagos Islands, about 2 hours flight from Quito and Guayaquil, offer unparalleled and intimate interaction with the most exotic species of nature’s creation.

In 1835, Charles Darwin and his vessel, the HMS Beagle, landed on the shores of the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Darwin, an English naturalist, is perhaps best known for his controversial theory of evolution, a hypothesis about the development and existence of earth’s creatures including humans which he formulated heavily based on the work he conducted in the Ecuadorian archipelago. After detailed observations and research of the Galapagos’ diverse wildlife populations, particularly those of the tortoises, mockingbirds, and 13 tanager species now referred to as “Darwin’s finches,” he was able to concretely declare and note his findings, the majority of which continue to accurately hold true to this day.

Today’s visitors on a Galapagos cruise as part of their Ecuador trip or Peru vacation can follow Darwin’s steps although the exact path he took remains vague and inexact. More than 97% of the islands’ areas were declared protected national park lands by the Ecuadorian government in 1959, so much of it is as pristine as nature gets. Here are some of the main destinations on the string of islands that are sure to be highlights of your travel.

Lonesome George is the last tortoise species of his kind, although he and his friends could once be found all over Pinta Island.

Pinta Island (aka Abingdon Island)
This island is actually off limits except to the most credited of researchers, but its significance to the archipelago is undoubted. Lonesome George, the most iconic tortoise of the Galapagos, once lived here with his peers but due to the infestation of introduced goats, the tortoise populations on Pinta died out in 1972 because their food sources were challenged. With all the goats now gone, other tortoise species are now being brought back to the island. Lonesome George is the last of his kind and there have been difficulties trying to get him to breed with others. As such, he now lives at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island, established in 1964 to aid the efforts of the Charles Darwin Foundation.

Birdwatching throughout the Galapagos is an experience you won’t want to miss.

Genovesa Island (aka Tower Island)
With so many birds for watching, Genovesa Island is a nature lover’s boon. Visitors are permitted to set foot on its land, but the birds can also be easily seen from nearby waters. Red-footed boobies are a big attraction, as are various gulls, sea lions, fur seals, and peaceful sharks down below. The Galapagos Dove and short-eared owl are found only on this island and nowhere else in the world. As well, a number of “Darwin’s finches” can be spotted flitting about. Once docked, visitors can embark on a 750-meter trail that provides up close and personal opportunities to examine the animals up close.

How would you like to swim at Gardner Bay on Espanola Island alongside adorable sea lions such as this one?

Espanola Island
Espanola Island is the southernmost of the Galapagos Islands, and its removed location made it a premier spot for the rise of a number of endemic species. For example, marine iguanas are unique to the Galapagos as they are, but the ones on Espanola actually change color with the breeding season! Another delight is the Hood Mockingbird which has developed no fear of man and often approaches unsuspecting travelers. Gardner Bay is a fantastic place to fit in a swim on your Galapagos vacation, and Punta Suarez is one of the major wildlife watching spots in the entire archipelago.

If you get inspired by the richness of the Galapagos and wish to help with conservation efforts, there are a number of foundations to look into. However, be sure that the organizations are official and trusted before committing to a program!