Galapagos Island Descriptions

The Galapagos National Park Service permits only particular sites to be visited within the park.This page includes text descriptions of the islands as well as a chart of where each tour vessel visits. Please consult the vessel itineraries themselves to see which particular sites are visited on the islands. All of the itineraries we offer are good ones which afford a thorough and thoughtful experience with the unique wildlife of these spectacular islands.

Following a walk on the island there is usually a stop for snorkeling and swimming on the beach on the northern shore. Penguins are frequently spotted in this area. The water is crystal clear and a wonderful place to swim and snorkel with schools of fish. On the southern side of the island we often see mating sea turtles and white tipped sharks close to shore.

Baltra Island
To the northeast of Santa Cruz, Baltra measures only 27 square kilometers and rises from the ocean to about 300 feet in elevation. This island has one of the two airports in the archipelago and there are daily flights on TAME Airlines. This is also a good spot to observe land and marine iguanas, as well as marine turtles.

Española Island (Hood)
Due to the variety of wildlife found here, this is one of the most popular islands in the Galapagos. The two visitor sites here are Punta Suarez on the western tip and Gardner Bay on the eastern side.

Punta Suarez: This rocky point of land sustains one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in Galapagos. As we land on the beach we are greeted by a noisy colony of sea lions and curious mockingbirds. Here we should see the Waved Albatross which in season performs a very strange mating ritual which we may be lucky enough to observe.
We will certainly see a great collection of other birds including colonies of Blue Footed and Masked Boobies, Darwin’s Finches, the Galapagos Dove, and Swallowtail Gulls nesting under the cliffs and also the beautiful Red-Billed Tropic Birds. Along its southern shore, 90 foot cliffs rise up from the sea offering a spectacular view of soaring birds. The walk along the cliffs also brings us in view of the island’s famous blow hole. This bizarre rock formation is the opening of a tunnel connected to the sea through which the surf spurts a column of spray 30 to 60 feet in the air.

We usually see a multitude of Blue Footed Boobies and Masked Boobies protecting eggs and young chicks. Here we should also observe sea lions and Marine Iguanas basking in the sun, and the largest Lava Lizard in the Galapagos. This species of iguana is found on Espinosa Island only and has red and green markings. They are usually found in company of the colorful Sally Lightfoot crabs.

Gardner Bay: This bay is located on the northeastern shore of Española and is a pleasant place to swim and snorkel. We walk also on shore along the brilliant white sand beach. The site is favored by nesting sea turtles and lazy relaxing sea lions. Nearby at Tortuga in Gardner Inlet passengers frequently snorkel from the launches.

Isabela Island (Albemarle)
The largest island in the Galapagos, Isabela was created by six volcanoes that flowed together. It is 60 miles in length and is narrow near its southern end. Five of the volcanoes are still active. At the mouth of the “sea horse’s head” that forms northern Isabela, the small promontory known as Punta Vicente Roca presides over a pair of jewel like coves. The coves lie on either side of the eroded remains of a tuft, or volcanic ash cone, called "tuff".

Tagus Cove: We walk a trail leading to a salt water lagoon with a great view of the lava fields, the volcanic formations, and the ocean. We scout the margins of the cove in search of the abundant marine life and Galapagos Penguins.

Fernandina Island (Narborough)
This the western most island in the Galapagos archipelago and the most volcanically active. Near the coast the slope of the volcano is gentle, but inland the mountain gradually steepens, rising to some 4,900 feet before it levels out at the rim of the 3,000 foot deep caldera. With its dark, rocky shores, black sand beaches, and frequent volcanic upheavals, Fernandina is in many ways the most forbidding and yet the most fascinating of the Galapagos islands. Its wildlife reflects Fernandina’s primeval character. Like hundreds of small dragons, enormous armies of marine iguanas guard the coastline, especially at Punta Espinosa, at the northeastern edge of the island.

Punta Espinosa: This point is rimmed at its base with a forest of green mangroves and a wide swath of lava and shell sand. Along the shoreline hundreds of marine iguanas bask in the sun – the largest colony in Galapagos. There is also a large colony of sea lions that includes several bulls, the enormous males. Flightless cormorants build their nests on the point and often Galapagos Hawks fly overhead. This is one of the most pristine islands and to date there are no introduced plant or animal species. Of interest here also is the black lava rock, mangroves, a variety of herons, Yellow Warblers, Pelicans, Frigates, the Mangrove Finch, petrels, shearwaters and, of course, the Marine Iguanas.

Floreana Island (Charles)
La Loberia: By launch we visit a very large sea lion rookery. This is often done at sunset.

Post Office Bay: In the days of sailing ships sailors would leave and collect their letters in a barrel to be delivered by ships coming or going to Europe and North America. The tradition continues – you can leave your postcard in the barrel and see how long it takes to be delivered.

Punta Cormorant: The beach where we land has shimmering green sand and is covered with sea lions and sea birds. The green sand is the result of magnesium and iron crystals thrown out by the volcano. We follow a short trail into the interior of the island where we will find a small brackish lagoon surrounded by Palo Santo trees. This should be a good opportunity to see pink flamingos (the pinkest in the world), Pintail Ducks and Common Stilts. Only about five hundred pink flamingos inhabit the entire Galapagos spread over several lagoons and ponds. They are rarely seen in groups of more than a few dozen at a time. A walk on the beach also affords a chance to see Manta Rays, Sea Turtles, Ghost Crabs and Sally Lightfoot Crabs.

Devil’s Crow: Just off the coast of Floreana is a shallow sunken crater that is one of the best snorkeling sites in Galapagos. It is an almost completely submerged volcano filled with crystal clear blue water and at times snorkelers can actually swim with sea lions. One must be a good swimmer as currents can be very strong, but the reward is a view of a brilliant array of colorful fish and coral.

Genovesa Island (Tower Island)
Darwin Bay: This bay is actually the caldera of an extinct, partially eroded volcano, with the surrounding cliffs forming the inner portion of the rim. We walk along the trail surrounded by a forest of salt bush and find colonies of nesting Great Frigate Birds and Red Footed Boobies. To attract mates the male Frigates flap their wings and inflate a bright red balloon-like sac in their throats. When a female flies over the colony, all of the mating males simultaneously inflate their red pouches and spread their wings hoping their desire will not go unnoticed. We walk along a trail past isolated tide pools where Swallow Tailed and Lava Gulls can be seen. Visits to Darwin Bay usually also include a swim and snorkeling for a short time off the coral beach.

Prince Phillips Steps: Access to this site is by a launch ride along the base of the cliffs. We see squadrons of Frigate Birds and Red Billed Tropic Birds flying back and forth overhead. Red Footed Boobies perch on branches of Palo Santo trees. We disembark and carefully climb the steep rock staircase. At the top, the trails lead to an open area of nesting Masked boobies and Great Frigate Birds. Storm Petrels are found in the open lava fields at the end of the trail which are prey for Short Eared Owls. From the edge of the cliff we are treated to a majestic view of the bay as well and great masses of sea birds hovering and circling near their roosts. If we are lucky we will also see fur seals.

Rábida Island (Jervis)
This small island is just 1.2 miles in width and is situated south of Santiago Island. Rábida is known for its unusual red colored beaches. The vegetation consists mainly of Opuntia Cactus, Palo Santo trees, and scrubby bushes. Visitors usually observe a variety of sea lions and after a short hike to the island lagoon, Flamingos and Pelicans.

San Cristóbal Island (Chatham)
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is the capital and administrative center of the Galapagos. There is a small naval museum, souvenir shops, and residences in the small village. This is the location of one of the two airports in the islands, operated by SAN Airlines. On approach to Puerto Baquerizo vessels often see dolphins leaping in the bow waves of the boats.

León Dormido (Kicker Rock ): This vertical volcanic cone formation rises abruptly almost 500 feet out of the ocean. Erosion has split the rock and given it its characteristic shape which some people see as a shoe and others as a sleeping lion (León Dormido in Spanish). We cruise near the formation in our launches and it is a spectacular spot to photograph. It is common to see roosting Blue Footed Boobies, Masked Boobies, and Frigate Birds on the cliffs and there should be heaps of sea lions resting on the shore. Vessels do not land here, but rather explore by launch.

El Junco Lake: Our visits to this lake are made by a bus ride into the highlands of San Cristóbal. It is the only sizable fresh water lake in the entire Galapagos. Here we can often observe interesting bird life including stilts, white-cheeked pintail ducks, and common gallinules. This is a good place to observe the typical highlands vegetation including the endemic tree ferns En route from the waters edge to the inland we pass through several vegetation zones and the farming community of El Progreso.

Isla Lobos: This small island is less than an hour from San Cristóbal. It is a seasonal nesting location for the Blue Footed Booby, although it is named for the sea lions found there. This is often a spot for snorkeling.

Playa Ochoa: Also about an hour from San Cristóbal this sandy beach is a wonderful place to swim and watch Pelicans and other sea birds fly overhead.

Cerro Brujo: A short trail at this site leads to a wonderful place to swim.

Punta Pitt: This point lies at the northeast point of San Cristóbal and is a formation of hardened volcanic ash. It is an important nesting site for many sea birds, including Blue Footed, Masked, and Red-footed Boobies, Frigate Birds, Swallow-tailed Gulls and Storm Petrels. Punta Pitt is not visited by many vessels and is considered by many to be an exceptional visitor site.

Santa Cruz Island (Indefatigable)
Puerto Ayora: This town has a population of about 10,000 and is the home of both the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park Headquarters. The research station has an international team of scientists that studies the biology and conservation of the Galapagos. We learn first hand of the conservation and research efforts in the islands. We can also see the tortoise hatchlings and breeding programs that have brought back several races of tortoises from extinction. For most visitors, this will be the only opportunity to see the giant tortoises for which the archipelago is famous. Visitors can also stroll through the town of Puerto Ayora where tourism, boat repair, fishing, and agriculture are the major trades. This is an opportunity to buy souvenirs.

Santa Cruz Highlands and Los Gemelos:
The trip to the highlands of Santa Cruz is made by bus. The scenery changes continuously as we ascend through all seven of the vegetation zones found in the Galapagos. We visit a pair of large pit craters or sinkholes called “The Twins” (Los Gemelos) and most trips walk through and astonishing lava tunnel. This may also be an opportunity to observe the bright red male Vermilion Flycatcher. Some trips visitors have been lucky enough to actually observe Galapagos Tortoises in the wild in their native habitat.

Cerro Dragon: The name Cerro Dragon translated from Spanish to English means “Dragon Hill”. This site lies on the northern tip of Santa Cruz and here are found the endemic land iguanas that were once part of the Darwin Station’s breeding program. These repatriated iguanas are orange-yellow in color and have large spines along their backs. Pink flamingos feed in the salt water lagoon. From the top of the hill, we can enjoy a panoramic view of the bay.

Black Turtle Cove: On the north coast this cove contains many small inlets where Pelicans and Lava Herons are often seen. Visitors at this site can often observe marine turtles and sometimes large rays and white tipped sharks.

Santa Fe Island (Barrington)
Here we walk through a forest of giant Opuntia Cactus to find the special land iguanas which are a species entirely different from the that found on South Plaza. Normally visitors snorkel and swim from the boat.

Santiago Island (James)
Sullivan Bay: Situated on the east side of Santiago, Sullivan Bay is famous for its conical volcano and for the study of various types of lava rock, some of which are from recent flows within the last 100 years.

Puerto Egas (James Bay): Named after Hector Egas, the owner of an ill-fated salt-mining company during the 1960's, Puerto Egas carves out a corner of James Bay, on the western shore of Santiago. Perhaps the single dominant feature of the Puerto Egas / James Bay region is a volcanic cone called Sugarloaf, which rises to almost 1,300 feet. To the north and east is a massive lava flow that was noted by Charles Darwin in his visit of 1835. The landscape surrounding Puerto Egas is a harsh one, covered primarily by a sparse forest of Polo Santa trees. There is a population of feral goats feeding in the area which are modifying the environment to an open savanna.

The shoreline south of Puerto Egas is composed of striated yellow, brown, and black cliffs of hardened volcanic ash ("tuffstone"). This has been eroded, molded, and polished by the sea into coves and elaborately patterned rocky beaches. Hikers on the coastal trail may be privileged to spot whales or dolphins cruising offshore or a feeding frenzy of hundreds of boobies or pelicans diving on schools of fish. At the end of the trail is a magnificent lava-walled grotto whose shady crevices shelter a small group of fur seals. Marine iguanas graze on exposed green algae and intertidal marine life is abundant. At this landing, visitors also see the remains of the old salt mine.

South Plaza Island
All along the low lying northern coast of this island there are large breeding colonies of sea lions. The southern side of the island, the less desirable from a sea lion’s point of view, is where the young bachelor males gather. There are sheer cliffs nearby that are home to the magnificent Swallow Tailed Gulls and the beautiful Red-Billed Tropic birds. The landscape is dominated by Opuntia Cactus trees and orange Sesuvium plants. A close look under each cactus tree usually reveals a solitary land iguana patiently waiting for a succulent cactus pad to fall. Snorkeling is a possibility here, though visibility is inconsistent.