The Main Galapágos Islands
There are some 35 islands in the archipelago, but here is some
more information about the main islands you will travel to.
Santiago Island (San Salvador, James)
The fourth largest island in the archipelago has some great places
for wildlife and marine life spotting. One of the best is Puerto
Egas, a long stretch of lava rock along the shoreline where eroded
rock formations host a wide variety of wildlife, including Sally
Lightfoot crabs in the tide pools, marine iguanas basking in the
sun and land iguanas feasting on exposed algae. If you follow
the path, fur seal lions can be found. Underwater snorkelling,
you can also see a number of different types of tropical fish
at this site.
Fernandina Island (Narborough)
This island is the youngest and most actively volcanic island.
It has a visitor centre at Puerto Espinosa where you can see the
unique species of the Galapagos, including the flightless cormorant
which has evolved to find food in the ocean by progressively adapting
its tail, wings and feet to swim. This area of the Island also
plays host to the largest gathering of marine iguanas you are
likely to see. They crowd the docking bay, and bask in the sun
on the sand.
Isabela (Albemarle)
The largest island in the archipelago is a string of five volcanoes,
including Negra which has the second largest crater in the world
after Ngorongoro in Africa. Touring the cliffs, you may see the
Galapagos penguin, the flightless cormorant and other birdlife.
Urbina Bay, at the foot of the Alcedo Volcano was uplifted from
the sea in 1954 and is the home to rays and turtles. The Galapagos
National Park bases its experiments on the reproduction of the
turtle on this island.
Santa Cruz (Indefatigable)
The Charles Darwin Research Station is based on Santa Cruz. Its
mission is to investigate and advise on ways to minimize the impact
of tourism on the islands. There is an information centre and
a museum, and a tortoise breeding centre which aims to reintroduce
the animals into their natural habitat.
The town of Puerto Ayora has the largest population and tourist
services of all the islands, and some hotels.
San Cristobal (Chatham)
The fifth largest island, but home to the second largest population,
San Cristobal has a number of commercial services in its provincial
capital Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on the southwest point of the
island. These include a bank, a telephone service, a post office,
a small airport and a hospital.
From this point, it is a one hour cruise to Isla Lobos, home
to blue-footed boobies (in season), sea lions and lava lizards.
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