Where to go in the Galapagos Islands

The easternmost island in the Galapagos, San Cristobal can be visited on a cruise or by staying in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the archipelago, with direct flights from Quito into San Cristobal airport. This is the lushest of the Galapagos islands, with high grounds covered by Scalesia forests along with dense bush that make it an ideal habitat for the Galapagos giant tortoise. There’s also a freshwater lake and green highlands, while the coastal region features cactus, arid scrub, mangroves and coral beach. The island is also inhabited by plenty of wildlife in addition to the giant tortoise, including Galapagos sea lions, dolphins, and all sorts of birdlife, like red footed boobies and frigate birds. If you’re a diving enthusiasts and diving with hammerhead sharks is on your list, San Cristobal is home to one of the best dive sites to do so in the archipelago, Kicker Rock.

Santa Cruz is the central hub of the Galapagos, the most populated of the islands, with a population of about 15,000 residents. Most live in the main town of Puerto Ayora, although there are small settlements scattered across the island. The majority of tourists arrive and depart on tours and cruises here, with plenty to do, making it worth staying at least a couple of days. In town, there is vibrant social life, fine dining, and boutiques. This is also where the Charles Darwin Research Station is hosted, continuing Darwin’s scientific research and conservation efforts, with a tortoise breeding center. Visitors can enjoy spectacular landscapes that include beautiful reserves where giant tortoises roam, swimming holes with calm, brilliant blue waters for diving into, and huge volcanic craters. The unspoiled beaches are home to a variety of wildlife too, like the tortoise, sea lions, marine iguanas, lava lizards, and blue-footed boobies.

The westernmost of the Galapagos isles, Fernandina can only be visited on a cruise that includes the western islands. Due to recent volcanic activity, the island has a somewhat barren appearance, with little vegetation, mostly cacti that are able to survive in these conditions. As it isn’t inhabited by humans and is quite remote, it’s managed to stay incredible unspoiled, bringing the opportunity to witness the evidence of significant volcanic activity. There was a large eruption in 1968 that led to the collapse of the caldera, another eruption in 2005, and in 2009. It’s also possible to watch all sorts of unique wildlife like flightless cormorants which are only found in the western islands. Galapagos penguins, blue-footed boobies, land iguanas, fur seals, sea lions, Galapagos hawks, and Sally Lightfoot crabs can all be spotted here as well.

The southernmost island in the Galapagos, Espanola is typically visited on a cruise as there are limited options for day trips, although it may be possible from San Cristobal Island as it’s just a two-hour boat ride away, compared to 12 from Santa Cruz Island. Just 23-square-miles in size, it’s home to a surprising range of endemic species. One can spot the Espanola mockingbird, waves albatross, the Espanola lava lizard, and the Espanola giant tortoise which came close to extinction with only a handful left in the 1960s. Thanks to conservation efforts, there are now nearly 2,000 tortoises living here. There are also blue-footed and Nazca boobies, Galapagos hawk, and sea lions. Gardner Bay is a highlight with a white sand beach filled with sea lions soaking up the sun. Humpback whales inhabit the surrounding waters from June through October, bringing the chance to see them on your journey to the island.

Bartolome is considered a must-visit with its iconic volcanic landscapes that make it one of the most photographed islands. Head to the Bartolome viewpoint for a 360-degree panoramic view of the lush vegetation, golden sands, black and red lava, all contrasted by the sapphire blue sea. The island is often recognized by its landmark, Pinnacle Rock which looks like an arrowhead emerging from the land. It was spotlighted in Russel Crowe’s “Master and Commander” film in 2003, with the final battle taking place in Galapagos waters. Bartolome is one of the best islands for snorkeling, bringing the opportunity to swim around with friendly sea lions, penguins, rays, green sea turtles, colorful fish, and reef sharks. On the golden beaches, green sea turtles come to nest between January and March while Galapagos hawks can often be seen soaring above.