How to see the islands

There are two ways to see the Galapagos, either by cruising on a boat or by staying in a hotel on one of the islands. Generally people chose to cruise, as this option offers more time ashore because you travel during the night and makes it possible to visit a wide variety of islands.
However, for those who don't like sailing the latter is a good alternative as you still get to see plenty of wildlife, or you could chose a walking tour based on the larger island of Isabela.

For a selection and prices of the yachts we can book please see our "Boats" page.

For a selection of Galapagos hotels and walking tours please see our "Hotels" page.

The Archipelago

The Galapagos archipelago consists of 18 main islands and 40 islets. Some of the most commonly visited include:

Hood (or Española)
Punta Suarez on Hood is a rocky point with one of the most impressive concentrations of wildlife on the Galapagos. For example, Blue-footed and Nasca boobies, mockingbirds, frigatebirds, waved albatross (usually April - December), Swallow-tailed gulls and finches can be seen here. Gardner Bay on Hood has a lovely sandy beach with sea lions and marine iguanas.

Fernandina
The most westerly island and not commonly visited on itineraries, it is the place to see flightless cormorants, said to be the rarest seabird in the world. The Galapagos hawk and many marine iguanas can also be seen.

Floreana (Charles)
Visitor sights include Punta Cormorant, a green beach (from olivine crystals) with a large lagoon where flamingos and great blue herons are often seen. At another beach nearby marine turtles can often be seen. Post Office Bay is a famous landmark because of the barrel which has served as a post drop since the 18th Century. Floreana has legends of murder and mystery which the guides will regail you with. The Devil's Crown is an eroded volcanic cone just offshore which makes a good snorkelling site. White-tipped and black-tipped sharks are seen here.

Tower (or Genovesa)
See the Darwin Trail, with Red-footed and Nasca boobies, frigatebirds, cliffs and tidepools. Prince Philip's Steps are a steep climb to the top of the cliffs. Lava gulls and the lava owl can be seen here.

Isabela
Elizabeth Bay is a narrow passage lined with mangroves with good wildlife spotting opportunities, including marine turtles, rays and flightless cormorants. Tagus Cove is opposite Punta Espinosa, where the cliffs are covered with graffiti going back hundreds of years that show the names of pirates and ships from another era. Dolphins are often seen here. The Villamil Experimental Station has the breeding programme for the local species of giant tortoise. Sierra Negra Volcano is a 10km crater, which can sometimes be visited on longer itineraries and is the second largest crater in the world. Fumaroles, finches, the vermilion flycatcher and wild horses are seen here.

San Cristóbal
This island has a few small hotels, restaurants, and a Visitors Interpretation Centre. El Junco Lagoon is one of the few bodies of permanent fresh water in the islands. All three species of booby can be seen here and plenty of sea lions.

Santa Cruz
Visit Puerto Ayora which has the Charles Darwin Research Station, home to captive giant tortoises and interesting information on issues affecting the Galapagos. There are also hotels, guest houses and cafes here. Giant tortoises can often be seen in the wild (best October to May). Caleta Tortuga Negra is a mangrove-lined inlet on the northern coast, offering a wonderful view of turtles, rays and small sharks. Bachas Bay is a lovely white sand beach with two small lagoons. You can see flamingos, great blue herons and sea lions.

Santa Fé
A very pretty bay with two trails, one through tall prickly pear cactus and the other to a viewpoint on the top of a cliff. A unique land iguana can sometimes be seen here.

James (Santiago)
Puerto Egas has a beautiful rocky shoreline and natural cove once used by pirates. Yellow-crowned night herons, whimbrels, American oystercatchers, fur sea lions can be seen here. Espumilla is a small salty lagoon behind a long strech of swimming beach. See Darwin finches, ducks, turtle nests and occasionally flamingos. Sullivan Bay is one of the best sites to see a recent lava flow, (a 100 years old), with attractive red and black rock formations.

Seymour Norte
This island has the largest colony of red breasted frigatebirds, also blue-footed boobies, fur sea lions and iguanas.

Last Updated: Tuesday May 13 2008