Description of the Islands
Isabela
Isabela has the largest coastal lagoon of the archipelago, which is one of the main reproductive sites of flamingos. Isabela is the largest and one of the youngest of the Galapagos Islands. Formed by six large volcanic domes fused together. Five of the six volcanoes are still active making it one of the most volcanically active places on earth. Even though the island is the largest of the archipelago, the town (called Puerto Villamil) has only 2000 inhabitants, most of them fishermen. Isabela's rich animal, bird, and marine life are beyond comparison. Isabela is home to more wild tortoises than all the other islands; apparently the creatures were unable to cross lava flows and other obstacles, causing several different sub-species of tortoise to develop. We will be able to see penguins, marine iguanas, mangrove finch, Galapagos hawk, brown pelican, pink flamingo, blue heron and much more species on Isabela.
Islote Tintoreras is a small island, a short distance from Puerto Villamil. Here a colony of white tipped sharks can often be seen resting in a lava canal. You can snorkel or swim in the unique habitat of these animals. Nearby hundreds of marine iguanas can be observed, as 'Las Tintoreras' is one of their main breeding sites. On the nearby sandy beaches, sea lions play and relax in the sun. This is one of Isabela's most beautiful visitor sites.
Santa Cruz Island
Santa Cruz island is the most important of the inhabited islands of Galapagos archipelago. Puerto Ayora is the largest town, 15,000 people live and work here mostly in the tourism. One of the attractions on this island is the Charles Darwin Research Station, where a nursery for young tortoises can be observed. The pristine white sand beach is absolutely stunning - a tranquil place with white surf accentuating the Caribbean blues of the deeper waters. There is an extensive mangrove lagoon where sea turtles enjoy swimming in the calm waters. A short bus ride will take the group to the lush tropical highlands where tortoises and the vermilion flycatcher are commonly observed.
Floreana Island
Floreana Island was visited by whalers and pirates due to its flat surface and supply of fresh water, and Charles Darwin in 1835 on his famous voyage on the HMS Beagle. There is an intriguing story to be told about the first settlers that arrived on the Galapagos Islands and the many mysterious disappearances.
At Cormorant Point, there is a green olivine beach where pink flamingoes and green sea turtles nest. There is a good chance of seeing sea lions, rays, sharks, and sea turtles in surrounding waters while snorkelling.
Post Office Bay provides visitors the opportunity to send post cards home without a stamp, like whales used to do, when it was established in 1793.
Española Island
Española Island is the only place where waved albatross nest in the islands each year. Española Island is the oldest of the Southern Islands and is the southernmost in the archipelago. Because of its remote location a unique range of endemic species evolved here.The area seems like a desolate wilderness as the waves crash on the jagged cliffs below and the blowhole shoots water 15-30 meters into the air. The sky above is full of sea birds including red-billed tropicbirds, American oystercatchers, swallow-tailed gulls, and audubon's shearwaters.
Gardner Bay is located on the northeastern portion of the island offers a magnificent long, white sandy beach, where colonies of sea lions laze in the sun, sea turtles swim offshore, and inquisitive mockingbirds boldly investigate. Further out towards Tortuga Rock and Gardner Island schools of large colorful tropical fish including yellow tailed surgeon fish, king angelfish and bump-head parrot fish swim along with an occasional manta ray gliding by and white-tipped sharks napping on the bottom.
San Cristobal
San Cristobal is the easternmost island of Galapagos and is also one of the oldest. Eroded volcanic peaks in the northern part of the island and rich vegetation in the southern portion characterize the island. This island hosts frigate birds, Galapagos sea lions, Galápagos tortoises, blue and red footed boobies, tropicbirds, marine iguanas, dolphins, and swallow-tailed seagulls.
Punta Pitt is on the north of the island. Volcanic tuff formations are characteristic to the area and the only area in the islands where all three boobies species can be seen together.
Isla Lobos is up the coast from Puerto Baquerizo across a small channel off the coast of San Cristóbal. The basalt island outcropping is home to a large and noisy colony of sea lions. It is also a nesting place for blue-footed boobies and an excellent spot for snorkeling.
Punta Suarez is found on the western tip of Española, Punta Suarez offers great wildlife such as sea lions, sea birds and the largest marine iguanas of Galapagos. This is one of the best sites in the Galapagos. The amount of wildlife is overwhelming. Along the beach there are many sea lions and large, colorful lava lizards and marine iguanas. As you follow the trail to the cliff's edge masked boobies can be found nesting among the rock formations. After a short walk down to a beach and back up the other side blue-footed boobies are seen nesting just off the trail. The Galapagos Dove and very friendly Hood Mockingbird are commonly found in this area. The nearby bushes are frequently home to the large-cactus finch, warbler finch, small-ground finch and large-billed flycatcher.
