Chaski 03.25 Los Túneles Isabela

Islands of the Galápagos

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Overview and History

The Galápagos Islands are made up of 18 different islands formed from underwater volcanic eruptions over millions of years. They were first discovered by Fray Tomás de Berlanga, Bishop of Panama in 1535. The first humans that inhabited the archipelago were pirates as the location was strategically located near major trade routes. Early explorers named the islands after the Spanish word 'galapago' which means 'tortoise', reflecting the islands' most famous inhabitant; the giant tortoise. 

Only four islands are inhabited by humans: Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela and Floreana, and three are strictly off-limits to tourists for conservation purposes. The entire archipelago is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national park, with conservation efforts being of upmost importance to the islands.

The Islands

Chaski 03.25 Playa De Los Alemanes Puerto Ayora Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the the Galápagos and serves as the main tourist hub. With a mix of cities, beaches and mountains, this is a great starting point for a Galápagos Islands trip and is easily accessible from Seymour airport on Baltra island. 

The main city is Puerto Ayora on the South coast of the island and is a starting point for many tours. You can stay in the town and experience the local restaurants, shops and vibrant social life. On Santa Cruz alone, there is also plenty of wildlife including giant tortoises, iguanas, sea lions and blue-footed boobies.

Explore Santa Cruz

Chaski 03.25 Puerto Villamil Isabela Island

Isabela

This seahorse-shaped island is home to more wild tortoises than all the other islands combined, with a separate species on its six volcanoes. On Isabela, you can go on hiking excursions and spot penguins, iguanas, and plenty of seabirds. The nutrient-rich waters also make it the best place to see whales with 16 species being spotted.

There are two ways to get to Isabela island, by air or by water. You can take a ferry from Baltra island or a short inter-island flight to Isabela's airport in Puerto Villamil. The sleepy port town is peppered with bars and restaurants and is a starting point for tours and day excursions.

Explore Isabela

San Cristobal Golden Bay Lodge

San Cristobal

This easternmost island is made up of four fused volcanoes and boasts white sand beaches where playful sea lions like to hang out. The town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is the capital of the archipelago with daily flights connecting it to the mainland. With bars and restaurants on the waterfront, it is a great place to stay and has recently become a surfing hotspot.

The island is home to iguanas, giant tortoises, frigatebirds, mockingbirds and many other species. It also protects the last of a critically endangered flower called the Calandrinia Galapagosa.

Explore San Cristóbal

Chaski 03.25 Bahia Gardner Española (16)

Española

The southernmost island of the Galápagos, Española is one of the oldest estimated to be four million years old. Due to it being one of the most isolated islands in Galápagos, it has a large number of endemic species (species found nowhere else in the world). The Española mockingbird, the Española lava lizard and the waved albatross are just a few.

Española island is not inhabited by humans but can be visited as a day trip from San Cristobal via boat. It is great for hiking, snorkeling and relaxing on the beach.

Explore Española

Chaski 03.25 Mirador De La Baronesa Floreana (25)

Floreana

Floreana island is flamingo paradise, where the slender birds can be seem wading through the lagoon and catching shrimp. The island also has interesting an human history as it is the site of the first 'post office', established in 1793 by whalers, and the first human Galápagos resident at the start of the 1800s, an Irishman named Patrick Watkins.

Teeming with wildlife, green sea turtles nest on the beaches, rays glide through the shallows, penguins roam in the north and dolphins can be spotted from land. The easiest way to visit this flourishing island on a cruise, but day tours also operate from Santa Cruz.

 

Explore Floreana

Top Cruises

Top Land-Based

How to travel between Islands?

If you choose a land-based trip, you are able to stay on four of the inhabited Islands:

  • San Cristobal
  • Santa Cruz
  • Isabela
  • Floreana

The benefit of staying on one or two Islands is that you can decide what you want to visit, you aren't restricted to a specific route. Although remote, there are good connections between the Islands. 

Chaski 03.25 Speedboat Generic

Travelling by Speed Boat

  • San Cristobal to Santa Cruz  - 2 hours
  • Santa Cruz to Isabela - 2 hours

These depart daily once in the morning and once in the afternoon

  • Santa Cruz to Floreana* - 2 hours

*The local speedboat option to Floreana does not run every day of the week so be sure to speak to us about booking in advance

You can not travel directly from San Cristobal to Isabela 

01 Day San Cristobal Airport

Travelling by plane

Three of the Islands have airports that Interisland flights: 

  • Baltra, Santa Cruz
  • San Cristobal
  • Isabela

There is one departure per day and they take around 30-40 minutes:

  • Isabela to San Cristobal  - San Cristobal to Isabela 
  • Isabela to Baltra - Baltra to Isabela
  • San Cristobal to Baltra - Baltra to San Cristobal
Ocean Spray Exterior 5

Choosing a Cruise

Alternatively, choose a cruise trip that visits at the Islands you most want to see...

If you want to see more of the Galápagos, a cruise is the best way to explore. Ships can access remote islands that are out of reach for land-based trips, where you’ll encounter richer biodiversity, fewer visitors, and wildlife experiences that are often the most memorable.

Explore the Galápagos by Ship

Wildlife on the Islands

Chaski 03.25 Giant Tortoise Generic

Santa Cruz

Commonly found

  • Blue-footed Booby
  • Flamingo
  • Frigatebird
  • Galápagos Sea Turtle
  • Giant Tortoise
  • Humpback Whale
  • Sea Lion

 

Chaski 03.25 Marine Iguana Group Generic

Isabela

Commonly found

  • Flamingo
  • Galápagos Sea Turtle
  • Giant Tortoise
  • Lava Lizard
  • Marine Iguana
  • Sea Lion

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