Which is the Best Galapagos Island to Visit?
Scattered across the Pacific Ocean, the beautiful Galapagos Islands are little havens for some of the planet’s most incredible natural creatures. From the biggest tortoise species in the world to the only penguin to be found north of the equator, prepare to be amazed by the wildlife you encounter during your stay.
Rather unsurprisingly, the Galapagos islands are one of the most biodiverse places in the world, which will quickly become apparent to you as you encounter sea lions on park benches and iguanas crossing the street. Yet, each island in the archipelago has a unique wildlife scene, each known for hosting particular residents.
So, you might be wondering, which is the best Galapagos island to visit for you? We have compiled a guide to the archipelago to help you decide which ones should make it on your bucket list of places to visit.
1.Santa Cruz Island
As the second largest of the Galapagos Islands, Santa Cruz offers an abundance of exciting things to get up to and has become a buzzing hub of the archipelago. This island strikes a wonderful balance between hustle and bustle and natural paradise.
In the island’s capital, Puerto Ayora, you will find a lot of the best hotels and restaurants on the island chain as well as supermarkets, shops and ATMs. Therefore, if you’re wondering which Galapagos island is best to stay on, you could be on the money with Santa Cruz.
Be sure to visit Tortuga Bay during your stay as it just so happens to be one of the best beaches in the Galapagos Islands. Along with being an idyllic stretch of coastline, it is also a fantastic place to do some wildlife spotting.
Tortuga Beach is known to be a prime spot for seeing brown pelicans, Sally Lightfoot crabs and marine iguanas. You will also be able to visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and see the incredible conservation work that the organisation is doing to protect the archipelago’s beloved wildlife species, particularly in restoring the Giant Galapagos tortoises.
Speaking of these remarkable creatures, if you’re wondering which Galapagos Island has giant tortoises, this is the one for you. Stop by the El Chato Tortoise Reserve to see these magnificent critters in action in the comfort of their natural habitat. If you’re wanting to see Galapagos island animals, Santa Cruz is a fantastic place to start.
2. Isabela Island
Now onto the biggest of the Galapagos islands - Isabela Island. The size of this landmass is certainly nothing to scoff at; it makes up 58% of the entire size of the entire archipelago. However, it is less populated and visited than Santa Cruz Island and is even home to the smallest town in the island chain.
That is not to say that Isabela Island doesn’t have anything to offer tourists. You will be able to see and learn about the history of the islands and their wildlife during your visit. It’s also considered the best island in the Galapagos to go snorkelling.
If you’re looking to investigate the island’s remarkable array of marine species, head to Concha de Perla where you can expect the waters to be mellow, clear and brimming with fascinating creatures. Along with tropical fish, you should keep a special eye out for tortoises and penguins who are commonly seen diving down in search of a bite to eat here.
As well as being a highlight reel of the archipelago’s underwater species, Isabela Island holds a slightly melancholy that you will hear all about during your visit. Head out to the Wall of Tears to learn about the sad history of the mistreated prisoners who built the wall between 1945 and 1959.
3. Bartolomé
Situated north of Santa Cruz, Bartolomé is home to one of the most famous attractions in the whole of the Galapagos Islands: Pinnacle Rock. Postcard-perfect, this volcanic formation is a fantastic point of fascination for the island’s visitors.
Tackle the 65 steps of the staircase to be rewarded with the most incredible panoramic views of the landscape. Don’t forget to pick up one of the lava rocks in the area, as their weight is sure to take you by surprise! Despite appearing dense and solid, most of them are chalked full of gas bubbles to the extent that they weigh barely anything.
At only a length of 0.5 miles, Bartolomé is a lot smaller than most of the other islands on the archipelago, but its appeal far extends beyond Pinnacle Rock. In fact, you have probably wondered which Galapagos island has the most penguins.
A colony of Galapagos penguins lives on the island, where these adorable creatures will be waddling around waiting for you by Northern Beach. Rays, green turtles and reef sharks are just a few of the other wonderful animals that you could be sharing these waters with.
4. Española
A common question from visitors is which Galapagos island is the oldest. At about four million years old, Espanola is certainly the pensioner of the group. Lying just two hours south of San Cristobal, it is a fantastic place to visit during a holiday on the island chain.
Espanola is the only place in the entire world where you will find a waved albatross nest. It is believed that this island is the breeding ground for all of the world’s 12,000 pairs of birds.
Not to be missed, these creatures have an 8-feet wing span. Be sure to aim to visit March until December to catch their mating season; one of the best times to visit the Galapagos Islands.
During this period, you might stumble upon their elaborate mating ceremony - certainly a fascinating spectacle to see. Picture a lot of waddling, bill circling and quirky noises emanating from these magnificent creatures.
What makes the procedure particularly special is the fact that waved albatrosses mate for life. So, you're catching a very intimate moment between two life partners. Beyond these love birds, you will also be able to laze alongside sea lions on the white-sand shores of Garden Bay.
5. Fernandina
The baby of the archipelago, Fernandina is the youngest of the Galapagos islands at only one million years old. During your visit, you might be left confused as to why, unlike some of the other islands, Fernandina does not have much in the way of plantlife, with only lava cacti and mangroves to contend with.
This is due to the aftermath of La Cumbre’s eruption in 2020, which unfortunately destroyed much of the land on the island. While this might have left you with the impression that Fernandina is not one of the best Galapagos islands to visit, you would be sorely mistaken.
Fernandina’s hot-tempered history has given the place the most magical and unique of appearances, with swirly dark rock as far as the eye can see. What’s more, this is a prime location to spot Marine and Land Iguanas.
The flightless cormorant is the real celebrity of the island, and you’ll have no trouble recognising this one even if you aren’t an avid bird watcher, as they are blessed with the most striking blue eyes. Being the most western of the islands, many miss out on seeing Fernandina, but many locals consider it the best Galapagos island for wildlife. Its waters are home to an abundance of sea lions, penguins, manta rays, sharks and, of course, iguanas.
6. Genovesa
Attention all bird-watchers, you’re going to want to listen to this one! Genovesa is an itty bitty horseshoe-shaped island in the north of the archipelago that will leave you utterly awestruck by its sensational abundance of unique bird species.
Nicknamed “Bird Island”, this destination is a sanctuary for the most unique birds in the Galapagos islands and some of the rarest in the world. Look out for incredible species such as red-footed boobies, short-eared owls, terns, frigates, wedge-rumped storm petrels, Darwin finches, lava and swallow-tailed gulls.
The fun doesn’t stop here. After spending a day admiring these glorious creatures, make your way to the tidal lagoon beyond Darwin Bay to find a nesting ground. There is also plenty to see underwater here, as this area is known to have hosted fascinating sea creatures such as hammerheads.
Genovesa is a significant distance from the inhabited islands in the Galapagos. As a consequence, you will have to book a cruise to explore this fascinating island. Fortunately, Touring Galapagos offers a wide range of packages that boast itineraries to suit everyone, from the foodies to the culture vultures.
7. Floreana
If you’re wondering which is the best Galapagos island if you’re interested in history, Floreana was the first of the islands to be inhabited by humans and you will be able to learn all about the island’s colourful past. Be sure to stop by Post Office Bay during your stay, the world’s most unusual post office.
Back in the day, whalers on Floreana had a stroke of genius and decided to create an early mail service. They set up a wooden barrel at what is now Post Office Bay and left their letters there. Sailors on passing ships would collect the mail if they were heading in the right direction and deliver it across the seas. This fascinating mailing system was very special for all of those who had left loved ones behind at home.
Not boasting much in the way of tourist facilities, Floreana only has a handful of hotels and restaurants that might fill up fast so be sure to make reservations well in advance of your visit. On the nature side of things, Floreana is a great island for spotting petrels who are primarily seen soaring along its waters. You will also be able to see the colourful sally lightfoot crabs lurking along the crevices of the coastline.
8. San Cristóbal
Another of the best islands in the Galapagos, San Cristobal serves up incredible wildlife alongside the hustle and bustle of the capital of the island chain, Puerto Baquerizo. It is also one of the most convenient to get to, as it is home to San Cristobal airport.
Having the second largest population in the island chain, you will find plenty of ATMs, restaurants and shops that make everything that much easier, especially if you haven’t got heaps of time to explore. Despite all of these tourist facilities, don’t be thinking that San Cristobal skimps on the wildlife department.
The island is full of sea lions and one of the best things to do in the Galapagos Islands is hang out with them at Loberia Bay. You definitely won’t be needing to send out a search party for these lazy creatures at this beach as they are frequently found soaking up some rays on its golden shoreline.
A swimming costume is essential for visiting Loberia Bay, as you are likely to have the unforgettable experience of having these playful sea lions as swimming partners.
Summary
The Galapagos Islands are the perfect destination for those wanting to catch a glimpse of nature at its very finest. Whether you are drawn in by the idea of the famous tortoises, breathtaking coastline or spectacular bird-watching opportunities, you are sure to have the most unforgettable time in this special part of the world.
Planning to head to the Galapagos Islands and looking for a tour provider that will give you the most unforgettable experience exploring the best parts of the island? Get in touch with us at Touring Galapagos and find out more about the cruises and holiday packages we offer.