Best Islands to Visit in the Galapagos Islands

13 Best Islands to Visit in the Galapagos Islands

ByJulia

Learn all about the best islands in the Galapagos Islands with this helpful guide. It will help you craft an amazing Galapagos itinerary!

The Galapagos Islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a fascinating place to explore. Made up of over 20 islands, each island has its own unique appeal, offering a range of landscapes and wildlife encounters.

Whether you’re interested in giant tortoises, snorkeling with sea lions, or hiking through volcanic terrains, each island has something special to offer. This means you’ll have to island-hop to see the best of the Galapagos Islands.

In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at the must-visit islands in the Galapagos so you can experience the very best of the area.

Disclosure: Some of the links below may be affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase.

Introduction to the Galapagos Islands

Let’s talk about the Galรกpagos Islands, an incredible place you’ve probably heard of once or twice in your life. These islands are located about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. They’re famous for being a real-life natural laboratory, where you can see evolution in action.

There are 21 main islands in the Galapagos archipelago, and they were formed by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. Because they’re pretty isolated and haven’t had a lot of human interference, they’ve become a hotspot for unique and diverse ecosystems. This of course draws in a lot of tourists. (Hello, yes, I’m one of those tourists!)

The most exciting thing about the Galรกpagos Islands is that they played a huge role in Charles Darwin’s groundbreaking theory of evolution. When he visited on the HMS Beagle in the 1800s, he observed all the different plants and animals here, and that’s what got him thinking about how species change over time.

Today, the Galรกpagos Islands are not only a living classroom for scientists but also a protected area, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an Ecuadorian National Park. You’ll find all kinds of amazing wildlife here, from giant tortoises and marine iguanas to blue-footed boobies. The underwater world is just as fascinating, making it a fantastic spot for snorkeling and diving.

So, join me as we take a closer look at the best islands to visit in the Galรกpagos Islands, along with how to visit them, what to expect while you’re there, and where to stay for each island.

Best Galapagos Islands to Visit

Let’s take a look at 13 of the most visited islands in the Galapagos as well as those that you will want to make sure to visit during your time in the Galapagos, Ecuador.

1. Santa Cruz Island (Inhabited)

Santa Cruz Island is one of the easiest places to get to in the Galapagos archipelago as it is home to one of the 2 main airports in the islands. It’s also famous for the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you can learn about ongoing conservation efforts and see giant tortoises up close.

If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, you won’t want to miss the highlands where you can spot these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Another must on Santa Cruz Island is snorkeling at Tortuga Bay. This is where you can swim alongside playful sea lions and colorful fish.

Remember to pack comfortable walking shoes, a hat, and sunscreen to fully enjoy your stay here. It’s one of the more spread out islands and there is a lot to see!

  • How to Get to Santa Cruz Island: You can fly into the Seymour Airport on Baltra Island from mainland Ecuador and take a short ferry ride to Santa Cruz Island. You can also get to Santa Cruz Island from Isabela Island and San Cristobal Island via inter-island ferries.
  • Best Tour of Santa Cruz Island: The Giant Tortoise Experience | Lava Tubes + Los Gemelos – Check availability now.
  • Highlights of Santa Cruz Island: Charles Darwin Research Station, Giant Tortoise Breeding Center, Tortuga Bay, Los Gemelos, Lava Tubes
The blue water of the Galapagos Islands
Puerto Ayora Waterfront

Learn all about the best tours from Santa Cruz!

2. Isabela Island (Inhabited)

Isabela Island is the largest island in the Galapagos and boasts some incredible sights. One of the highlights on Isabela Island is the Sierra Negra Volcano with its otherworldly landscapes and expansive views. You can even join a hiking tour to walk up to the rim and witness a lava field from a previous eruption.

On the coast, Tintoreras Islet and Concha de Perla are perfect for snorkeling among penguins, marine iguanas, and sea turtles. For those who enjoy wildlife, you’ll also want to visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center.

Keep in mind that the weather here can be unpredictable, so bring layers and rain gear.

  • How to Get to Isabela Island: You can get to Isabela Island on a day trip via boat from Santa Cruz or on the inter-island ferry from Santa Cruz. Alternatively, you can take a short domestic flight to Isabela Island from Baltra Island (off the coast of Santa Cruz) or San Cristobal.
  • Best Day Tour to Isabela from Santa Cruz: Day Tour to Isabela Island with Tintorera Islet, Snorkeling Wetlands & Flamingos – Check availability now.
  • Highlights of Isabela Island: Sierra Negra Volcano, Tintoreras Islets, Concha de Perla

3. Floreana Island (Inhabited)

Floreana Island offers a more tranquil Galapagos experience as it is the smallest of the four inhabited Galapagos Islands.

While you’re there, you’ll want to visit Post Office Bay, a historic site where you can leave and collect postcards in a centuries-old barrel. You’ll also want to snorkel at Devil’s Crown. This amazing sight is a submerged volcanic crater and offers a plethora of marine life.

As Floreana is less developed, if you plan to stay on the island, make sure to plan ahead for accommodations and dining options. Also bring some cash, as ATMs can be scarce on the island.

  • Best Tour to Floreana Island from Santa Cruz: Day Tour to Floreana Island with snorkeling and fishing – Check availability now.
  • Highlights of Floreana Island: Post Office Bay, Devil’s Crown, Punta Cormorant

4. Bartolomรฉ Island

Bartolomรฉ Island is a small but stunning destination known for its iconic Pinnacle Rock. Here you can hike to the summit for a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding islands and crystal-clear waters.

Snorkeling around Pinnacle Rock is also an opportunity to swim with playful Galapagos penguins and encounter sharks and rays. Be aware that there are no accommodations on Bartolomรฉ, so it’s often visited as a day trip from Santa Cruz.

It’s also wise to double-check your camera gear before setting out as you won’t want to miss capturing the breathtaking views.

  • Highlights of Bartolome Island: Pinnacle Rock, hiking to the summit

5. Pinzรณn Island

Pinzรณn Island is a hidden gem in the Galapagos. It offers a unique adventure for nature enthusiasts to explore rugged landscape and volcanic formations. It provides a stellar backdrop for wildlife encounters.

As you snorkel in the crystal-clear waters surrounding Pinzรณn, you may find playful Galapagos penguins darting past and can admire the graceful movements of sharks and rays.

Please note that Pinzรณn doesn’t have accommodations. This makes it an ideal day trip destination and certainly not crowded!

  • Best Tour to Pinzรณn Island from Santa Cruz: Day tour to Pinzรณn Island and La Fรฉ/Palmitas Bay with snorkeling and fishing – Check availability now.
  • Highlights of Pinzรณn Island: La Fรฉ Bay, Las Palmitas Bay, snorkeling opportunities
Blue Footed Booby Bird
Blue footed booby bird in the Galapagos Islands

6. Espanola Island

Espanola Island is one of the best Galapagos Islands for bird lovers, particularly albatross. One of the best places to find them is Punta Suรกrez. It offers an opportunity to spot waved albatrosses during their breeding season.

Additionally, Gardner Bay boasts pristine beaches where you can relax or snorkel alongside sea lions and colorful fish. The Nazca Booby colonies here are also a unique sight. The best time to visit Espanola is from April to December when albatrosses are present.

If you’re headed to Espanola Island to bird watch, make sure to bring binoculars and sturdy walking shoes.

  • Highlights of Espanola Island: Punta Suรกrez, Gardner Bay

Concerned about cost?
Get a realistic view of how much a trip to the Galapagos Islands cost.

7. Santiago Island

Santiago Island’s Sullivan Bay is known for its surreal, moon-like landscapes created by recent volcanic eruptions. It’s a unique place to hike and explore.

Nearby, you can also find fantastic snorkel at Cousin’s Rock. Here you’re likely to see sea turtles, sharks, and tropical fish.

When visiting Santiago, remember that there are no facilities or shops on the island. You’ll need to pack all essentials, including water, snacks, and a sense of adventure.

  • Best Tour to Santiago Island from Santa Cruz: Full Day Bartolome Island & Sullivan Bay – Check availability now.
  • Highlights of Santiago Island: Sullivan Bay, Cousin’s Rock

8. Genovesa Island

Genovesa Island, often called “Bird Island,” is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Being one of the best islands in the Galapagos for birdwatching, you’ll want to ensure you visit Darwin Bay to witness red-footed and Nazca boobies nesting on the cliffs.

Another awesome destination is Prince Philip’s Steps. This is where you have the opportunity to see frigatebirds and storm petrels. The island’s horseshoe shape also creates a sheltered anchorage, making it a prime spot for Galapagos cruises.

When headed to Genovesa Island, bring a good pair of binoculars and a sturdy camera with a telephoto lens. They will help you capture the abundant birdlife.

  • How to Get to Genovesa Island: The only way to visit Genovesa Island in the Galapagos is on a cruise or liveaboard.
  • Best Tour to Genovesa Island: Galapagos Islands 5-Day Northern Cruise aboard Yacht Isabela II – Check availability now.
  • Highlights of Genovesa Island: Darwin Bay, Prince Philip’s Steps

9. North Seymour Island

North Seymour Island is also known for its abundant birdlife and unique landscapes. On North Seymour, you can witness blue-footed boobies performing their courtship dances, spot land iguanas, and observe frigatebirds in their natural habitat.

The island’s arid terrain offers an interesting contrast to the lush highlands of other islands. While hiking, be mindful of your step, as the ground is covered with bird nests during nesting season.

  • Best Tour to North Seymour Island: Day Trip to North Seymour Island from Puerto Ayora – Check availability now.
  • Highlights of North Seymour Island: Abundant birdlife, including blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds
Sunset in the Galapagos Islands
Sunset on Isabela Island in the Galapagos

10. Rรกbida Island

Rรกbida Island, also known as Jervis Island, stands out with its striking red sand beaches and cliffs. The unique coloration of the sand and rocks on Rabida Island are due to the high iron content.

Snorkeling in the surrounding waters allows you to swim with sea lions, sea turtles, and a variety of fish species. You can also take a short hike to visit a lagoon nearby that is frequented by flamingos. It’s quite cool to see the color contrast of the flamingos and the island’s red terrain.

  • How to Get to Rabida Island: The only way to visit Rabida Island is on a Galapagos Cruise.
  • Highlights of Rabida Island: Red sand beaches, snorkeling opportunities

11. Fernandina Island

Fernandina Island is one of the most pristine and untouched islands in the Galapagos. It’s also home to the youngest and most active volcano in the archipelago, La Cumbre.

While the island lacks visitor sites, it’s a must-see for its raw, volcanic landscapes and incredible opportunities for wildlife photography. Keep your camera handy, and be prepared for rough seas when approaching Fernandina.

  • How to Get to Fernandina Island: The only way to visit Fernandina Island is on a Galapagos Cruise.
  • Best Tour to Fernandina Island: Galapagos Islands 7-Day Western aboard Yacht La Pinta – Check availability now.
  • Highlights of Fernandina Island: La Cumbre Volcano, pristine landscapes

12. Santa Fe Island

Santa Fe Island offers a unique chance to observe the Galapagos’ distinct species, including Santa Fe land iguanas and the Santa Fe rice rat. You’re unlikely to find these species elsewhere in the Galapagos.

The island’s beautiful bay sldo provides excellent snorkeling opportunities, with playful sea lions and various fish species. If you plan to snorkel here, make sure to wear water shoes or fins to protect your feet from the rocks when entering the water on Santa Fe Island.

  • Best Day Tour to Santa Fe Island from Santa Cruz: Day Tour to Santa Fe Island and Hidden Beach with snorkeling and fishing – Check availability now.
  • Highlights of Santa Fe Island: Santa Fe land iguanas and rice rats, snorkeling opportunities

13. San Cristobal Island (Inhabited)

San Cristobal Island is a must-visit in the Galapagos with its blend of natural beauty and wildlife encounters. One of its standout attractions is Cerro Brujo, a pristine white sand beach framed by turquoise waters. Here, you can often spot sea lions lounging in the sun and seabirds soaring overhead.

Make sure to visit to the Interpretation Center on San Cristobal. It is one of the best ways to learn about the Galapagos history and conservation efforts. Also you don’t want to miss a trip to Kicker Rock. This dramatic rock formation provides excellent snorkeling and scubadiving opportunities alongside turtles, rays, and various fish species. It’s where I saw my first hammerhead shark!

Keep in mind that the island’s weather can be unpredictable, so pack accordingly with layers and waterproof gear to make the most of your adventure on San Cristobal.

  • How to Get to San Cristobal Island: You can fly into San Cristobal Island from mainland Ecuador. You can also get to San Cristobal Island from Santa Cruz Island via inter-island ferry.
  • Best Tour of San Cristobal Island: Full Day Tour 360 San Cristobal – Best of the Island – Check availability now.
  • Highlights of San Cristobal Island: Cerro Brujo’s pristine white sand beach and abundant wildlife
Galapagos Islands Seals
Sea lions on Cerro Brujo Beach, San Cristobal Island

Where to Stay in the Galapagos Islands

Accommodations in the Galapagos Islands are primarily found on the four inhabited islands: Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela, and Floreana.

This means all of the rest of the islands in the Galapagos require day trips or cruises to visit. You cannot visit the other islands on your own. You will have to be part of a tour of some kind.

This means you have limited hotel options in the Galapagos Islands. Fortunately, there are accommodations to fit every budget, from hostels all the way up to resorts on some of the islands. Let’s take a closer look at the four islands you can stay on in the Galapagos Islands.

Santa Cruz Island

Neighboring Baltra Island, home to one of the major airports into the Galapagos is Santa Cruz Island (Isla Santa Cruz). Because of its prime location and the many tours from Santa Cruz, it’s one of the best places to stay in the Galapagos Islands.

In Santa Cruz, you’ll find a wide range of accommodations in the main city of Puerto Ayora. Here you can choose from hotels, hostels, and eco-lodges. It’s the most developed island and offers the widest selection of hotels in the Galapagos.

Search All Hotels in Santa Cruz Island

Isabela Island

Next up is Isabela Island (Isla Isabela). It’s a short ferry ride from Santa Cruz and also a popular day trip location from Santa Cruz.

The town of Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island is the primary place to stay on Isabela Island. This town offers a small selection of hotels and guesthouses. Keep in mind that this town is relatively smaller and quieter than Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz, but it still serves as a great base for your Galapagos exploration.

I personally spent a couple of nights here to thoroughly explore Isabela with tours along the coast and inland at Sierra Negra Volcano. It has a very quaint “downtown” with restaurants, shops, and hotels.

Search All Hotels in Isabela Island

Floreana Island

The least populated of the inhabited islands in the Galapagos is Floreana Island (Isla Floreana). This also means that hotels on Floreana Island are limited – but available.

Here you can stay at small hotels or guesthouses in Puerto Velasco Ibarra, the island’s main settlement. Due to its limited population and services available, less people tend to stay on Floreana versus visiting Floreana Island as a day trip from Santa Cruz.

I ultimately chose to visit Floreana as a day trip from Santa Cruz simply because there are less things to see and tours to do from Floreana meaning it requires less of your precious time in the Galapagos. That being said, Floreana had the most playful sea lions during my snorkeling here, so I’m glad I made the trip!

Search All Hotels in Floreana Island

San Cristobal Island

San Cristobal Island (Isla San Cristobal) is another ideal place to stay in the Galapagos. Its vibrant town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno has numerous accommodations, including hotels and hostel along with many restaurants and shops.

It is also the other main entry point to the Galapagos Islands from mainland Ecuador. This makes it a busier island than most in the Galapagos – except of course Santa Cruz, the other island with a mainland connection.

Search All Hotels in San Cristobal Island

Remember that the availability and quality of accommodations in the Galapagos Islands can vary. It’s advisable to book well in advance, especially during peak travel seasons so that you have prime selection and location choices.

Another option, when visiting other islands on day trips or overnight tours, is that your tour operator may be able to help arrange accommodations as part of the package.

For remote islands like Genovesa, Santiago, North Seymour, Rรกbida, Fernandina, and Santa Fe, there are no permanent accommodations or residents. This means they must be visited on guided tours or cruise itineraries. When you set off on a multi-day cruise or tour, your accommodations will be provided onboard the vessel.

Explore More of the Galapagos Islands

As you can see, each Galapagos Island offers a diverse and unparalleled natural experience. This means you’ll want to visit as many of these best islands in the Galapagos as you can during your time there.

It’s the best way to get a true feeling for the area. In this way you’ll encounter more wildlife and stunning scenery to better understand what makes the Galapagos a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.

Continue planning your trip to the Galapagos with these helpful resources!

Lonely Planet Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands

Lonely Planet’s Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands is your essential guide to discovering the best of Ecuador.

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Best Galapagos Islands to Visit
Best Islands to Visit in the Galapagos, Ecuador
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Julia is the founder of The Cure for Curiosity, a North Carolina-based traveler with experience across 100+ countries, from the pyramids of Egypt to Everest Base Camp to the Blue Hole in Belize. After years of fast travel and slow travel, solo journeys and road trips, she now helps curious travelers understand how to choose destinations wisely, pace trips intentionally, and experience places beyond the surface.

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