Western Galapagos Exploration

Santa Cruz, the “Indefatigable”: Santa Cruz, the largest island in the Central Islands, is the home of many tourist attractions and Puerto Ayora, the most populous human settlement.

Galapagos Giant Tortoises in Santa Cruz’s Highlands: Galapagos tortoises are found in their natural habitat in Santa Cruz’s highlands.

Charles Darwin Station – Visit Charles Darwin Station’s research center and National Park Information Center. Charles Darwin Station is home to a land iguana and giant tortoise breeding program.

Floreana Island (Charles) is known for the colorful past of its buccaneers and whalers. It also has a rich history with convicts and early colonists.

Punta Cormorant – Punta Cormorant is a place with two beaches that are very different and an inland lagoon, where you can see pink flamingos.

Devils Crown is an excellent snorkeling spot located near Punta Cormorant. This site is actually a submerged volcanic cone that’s been eroded into a jagged-looking crown.

Asilo de La Paz: On the Floreana Island highlands, we’ll find a spring of freshwater where in the past pirates and whalers used to hide.

Post Office Bay is one of few places that are visited to learn about human history. See the wooden barrels where mail is dropped and collected and the ruins of the Norwegian fishing community.

Navigate during the day to see whales and Dolphins. Isabela Island is also a beautiful place to explore.

Isabela Island is the largest island in the Galapagos, formed from five volcanoes that have fused. Wolf Volcano, at 1707m high, is the highest point of the Galapagos.

Punta Moreno is located in the middle of Isabela Island’s southwest coast. This site offers spectacular views of the volcanoes Alcedo Sierra Negra Cerro Azul. Highlights include impressive lava flow, desolate landscape and unique arid zone plants.

Urbina Bay is located on the west coast of Isabela Island, at the base of the Alcedo volcano and the Darwin Volcano. The colorful Galapagos Giant Tortoises, the land iguanas and corals from 1954 are some of the highlights.

Isabela Island: Tagus Cove is a natural harbor, where whalers or pirates painted their names on the rocks centuries ago. The view is spectacular if you walk up the hill to Darwin’s Crater Salt-Water Lake.

Fernandina (Narborough Island) is the youngest volcano island still in active.

Punta Espinoza is a place known for the large colony of marine iguanas, as well as unique species such the Galapagos penguins, Galapagos Hawks, and Galapagos Snakes.

Santiago Island James: The island is situated between Isabela Island and Santa Cruz Island. The island is home to a variety of marine iguanas, fur seals, and seabirds.

Puerto Egas: Take a walk along the rugged coastline to see some of Galapagos best tide pools. A few highlights are the Sugar Loaf volcano, Fur Seals, Oystercatchers, Marine Iguana Colony and an Old Salt Mine.

Espumilla Beach – This beach has an amazing contrast of golden sand and green mangroves. This is a wonderful place to observe flamingos as well as pintail ducks nests of green sea turtles and Galapagos Hawks. This is a great place to cool down with a swim or snorkel.

Buccaneers Cove was Charles Darwin’s residence for nine days. Also, it was a place of rest for pirates and whalers. Buccaneers Cove has a rich and interesting history. Take a panga or snorkel to see Galapagos Fur Seals and Swallow-tailed Gulls.

Santiago Island: Sullivan Bay is a site of immense geological importance. Highlights include a 100-year-old field of lava flows, pahoehoe structures, and lava bubbles

North Seymour Island was formed by a flat, sloping piece of land thousands of years before. The island is small but packed full of animals.

This island has endemic Palo Santo Trees and is also home to blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and swallow-tailed gulls.

Mosquera Island is a small island located between North Seymour Island (also known as Baltra Island) and North Seymour Island.

A healthy colony of sea lions lives on this white-sanded beach.

Baltra Island: Return flight to Quito or Guayaquil