The Galápagos Islands are an archipelago of volcanic islands in the Eastern Pacific, located around the Equator 560 mi west of the mainland of South America. San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, and Isabela are the three most populated islands in the chain. The Galápagos are famous for their large number of endemic species, which were studied by Charles Darwin in the 1830s and inspired his theory of evolution by means of natural selection. All of these islands are protected as part of Ecuador’s Galápagos National Park and Marine Reserve. These endemic species, isolated on islands, developed and adapted to the environment and are quite unique.

Most of people fly to the main airport on Baltra Island. Once you are there, you can island-hop by public ferry or plane. Some people chose to take a cruise on a fixed itinerary. I found island-hopping permits more flexibility and allows more time on touring as you don’t need to follow the cruise schedule. Island-hopping by yourself is also cheaper.

Each island in the archipelago has different concentration of certain species due to evolution and natural selection as well as geography and climate environment. These are the islands in Galapagos. You can choose 2 to 3 to visit depending on your time, transportation, species, etc.

Isabela Island
Wolf Island
The Daphnes
Santiago Island
Sante Fe Island
Santa Cruz Island
San Cristóbal Island
Rábida Island
Plaza Islands
Pinzón Island
Pinta Island
North Seymour Island
Marchena Island
Genovesa Island
Floreana Island
Fernandina Island
Española Island
Darwin Island
Bartolomé Island
Baltra Island

Santa Cruz Island

We stayed on Santa Cruz Island, the main hub for tourism, and took a day trip to Isabela Island which offers an ideal Galapagos Islands experience that combines education and adventure. Explore Isabela Island’s diverse flora and fauna during a ground tour, spotting land turtles, flamingos, and zarapitos. Later, enjoy swimming and snorkeling at las Tintoreras with tropical fish, penguins, and turtles for the ultimate wildlife excursion. Snorkeling at Tintoreras is very nice on shallow water. The boat had to catch the waves and timed it correctly to get to the snorkeling site. That experience is very cool.

Santa Cruz Island also offers easy access to a variety of wildlife including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and diverse bird species, as well as notable features like lava tunnels, the Charles Darwin Research Station. A walk on the black beach you will run into salt water iguanas, very cool!

Sante Fe Island

We flied to Sante Fe Island and stayed there for a few days. Santa Fe is home to two species endemic to the island: the Santa Fe Land Iguana (Conolophus pallidus) and the Santa Fe Rice Rat (Oryzomys bauri). We loved the Blue-footed booby on tour on this island. You can find the Galapagos equator penguins that are living northmost closer to equator.

Did another day trip to South Plaza which is home to the beautiful succulent Sesuvium, which changes from bright green in the rainy season to red, orange, and purple during the dry season, and the landscape is dotted with prickly pear cactus trees.

There are wild and endemic species everywhere on the islands. There is no shortage of snorkeling, diving, and endless tour options. Just watching the sunset in the evening on black beach will make you feels peaceful and otherworldly. Many other islands are also worth visiting. Bartolomé Island has a unique geographic feature, good for photo opportunities. Española is probably most well-known for being the sole breeding ground for the entire population of the world’s Waved Albatrosses. You can easily spend a week island-hopping.