The largest island in the Galapagos, Isabela Island is a wildlife haven and a fantastic place to visit while exploring the archipelago. The seahorse-shaped land mass provides a wonderful introduction into the islands’ wildlife scene. 

Isabela Island is a real natural haven home to flamingos, penguins, blue-footed boobies, sea horses and much more.  So, where is Isabela Island? This idyllic landmass lies 965 kilometres west of Ecuador and 186 kilometres from the popular island of San Cristobal.

Offering a tranquil escape and some of the finest things to do in the Galapagos Islands, Isabela is a must-visit for anyone exploring the archipelago. 

So, for anyone considering booking a trip and wondering what to do on Isabela Island, we have listed some of the finest attractions in this beautiful part of the world.

1. See Flamingos Grazing At Poza De Los Flamingos

Visiting Flamingo Lakes, also known as, Poza de Los Flamingos, is easily one of the best things to do in Isabela Island. It is a tranquil lake located in the western area of the town of Port Villamil where Galapagos flamingos are speckled as far as the eye can see. 

One of the world’s brightest species of pink flamingo, the creatures are certainly an eye-catching sight. Stroll along the boardwalk through the wetlands, gazing over at the marvellous stilted beauties to your left and right. 

These eye-catching birds are certainly one of the hottest of Isabela Island’s attractions and draw in plenty of admirers. For the best chance of spotting these creatures, try to visit in the early hours when they are most active.

Alternatively, the rose-hued marvels also like to stretch their legs in the evening. This can be a fabulous time to go if you choose to see them as dusk starts to fall and their beautiful pink feathers are backdropped by a sunset.

2. Snorkel at Concha Perla 

Translating to pearl oyster shell, Concha de Perla is a tranquil bay with calm transparent waters that perfectly lend themselves to snorkelling. Grab a snorkel and flippers and dive into this marine utopia where you will find a tremendous variety of undersea life. 

In fact, this is a fantastic area for seeing Isabela Island penguins, arguably the most popular animal on the Galapagos Islands. These adorable flightless birds are one of the smallest penguins in the world and endemic to the archipelago. 

On top of these little waddlers, you’ll be sharing the waters with tropical fish, turtles and sea lions. With such fascinating creatures to be seen, if you’re wondering what to do in Isabela Island, head to this tranquil cove and take a deep dive into the archipelago’s extraordinary biodiversity. 

3. Visit The Galapagos Tortoise Breeding Center (Centro De Crianza Tortugas Gigantes)

Another of the most popular residents are the Isabela Island tortoises and there are few better places to see these epic reptiles than The Galapagos Tortoise Breeding Center. Although you may cross paths with these chunky creatures in the wild, your best chance of seeing them is by visiting the facility. 

Probably the most famous of the Galapagos Island animals, the giant tortoises can be seen in their dozens at the centre. Unfortunately, the island was once brimming with these marvellous creatures, with a quarter of a million living across the archipelago.

The population has since declined to a few thousand. Thus, the breeding centres on the islands strive towards restoring the population by sourcing nests, collecting, hatching eggs and then caring for the babies. In doing so, they maximise the creatures’ chance of survival before releasing them into the wild. 

The Galapagos Tortoise Breeding Centre can be reached by taking the boardwalk by the lagoon from Puerto Villamil. The journey itself is lovely, with marine iguanas, ducks and flamingos frequently seen along the way.

4. Take A Snorkelling Trip to Los Tuneles

Los Tuneles is another of the best places to go snorkelling on the Galapagos Islands. This picturesque watering hole was formed by the lava that flowed from a nearby volcanic eruption into the sea, creating a maze of intricately connected canals and lava arches. 

The glimmering transparent waters provide the perfect conditions for investigating the local marine life and there is certainly a lot to see. The tiny cracks and crannies create the ideal conditions for a rich variety of marine creatures and nesting birds. 

The area is in fact renowned for being home to a large population of seahorses that are frequently spotted lying low amongst the rocks. Beyond these adorable creatures, you may be sharing the waters with sea turtles, sea lions and sharks. 

Investigating the marine creatures at Los Tuneles is easily one of the best things to do on Isabela Island. The mesmerising geological formations are adorned with cacti creating an otherworldly setting. 

5. Hike to the Wall of Tears 

Hiking to the Wall of Tears is certainly one of the best things to do in the Galapagos Islands. The harrowing rock formation was built by prisoners who were held in a prison colony on the island and ordered to build the wall after the Second World War, for little more reason than to keep them busy.

The striking 300 feet long wall now stands as a testament to the many who died in the process due to the dire conditions that they were forced to work in. If you’re partial to a bit of history and wondering what to do in Isabela Island, this should be at the top of your list. 

Follow the wall on a 5-kilometre journey to the top from where you will find glorious views over the island. 

On the descent, you have the option of stopping by the lagoon to hang out with flamingoes or head the other direction to get to two beaches: Playita and Olaya del Amor. 

Planning is key when embarking on this activity. Be sure to arrive equipped with appropriate gear such as comfortable footwear, water and sunscreen.

6. Go Snorkelling at Las Tintoreras Islet

Las Tintoreras are a wonderful cluster of tiny volcanic islets just off the southern shores of Isabela Island. Something of a wildlife haven, the waters surrounding the islands are flourishing with fascinating sea species, making it a fantastic place to go snorkelling. 

Expect to be sharing the waters with parrotfish, manta rays, sharks, sea lions, white tip reef sharks and a myriad of reef fish. You will also come across an abundance of sally foot crabs and marine iguanas in a surreal display of raw, wild nature.

Yet it’s not just the marine creatures that you’ll find on these islands, they offer a fantastic display of the wildlife of the Galapagos Islands with blue-footed boobies, penguins and blue herons. 

To get to Las Tintoreras, take a boat tour from Puerto Villamil. You can even visit on a Galapagos Island Hopping Tour that will take you to all of the finest sites on the islands of Isabela and San Cristobal.

7. Hike to Sierra Negra Volcano

One of the best things to do on Isabela Island is set off on a hike to the incredible Sierra Negro, also known as Cerro Negro. The striking rock formation is the only accessible volcano in the archipelago and one of the most active in the region.

The trek to Sierra Negra is 16 kilometers long and must be completed with the company of a guide. The journey is certainly not something that you’ll want to miss so if you’re wondering what to pack for the Galapagos Islands - do not forget the walking boots! 

Your expert guide will be able to tell you all about the origins of the volcano and its most recent eruption, all the while you gaze over the awe-inspiring landscape. Sierra Negra’s immense caldera boasts a diameter of 9 kilometres at its widest section, making it one of the largest in the world. 

The view from the rim of the crater is nothing short of spectacular. The smoke rising in the distance as you look down at the immense rock formation only adds to the spectacle, reminding you of the activity below.

8. Visit Puerto Villamil

A visit to the island of Isabela would not be complete without paying a visit to its main town, Puerto Villamil. A sleepy port village with sun-dusted streets, it has retained an authentic charm and is significantly less touristy than Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. 

Puerto Villamil has a chilled-out atmosphere with a few locally-run restaurants, hotels, bars and shops. Embrace the relaxed island way of life by picking up a few souvenirs and grabbing a bite to eat with the locals. 

A lot of tours also start here so you’ll likely need to visit this peaceful town several times during your stay. In fact, it is a good idea to pay a visit to a grocery store in Puerto Villamil to load up on some snacks before heading out on an excursion.

9. Elizabeth Bay (Bahía Elizabeth)

Elizabeth Bay is one of the best places to go to investigate Galapagos Island wildlife. Without any access points, a visit to this intriguing site is spent spotting creatures from the comfort of a boat. 

You can visit the bay by catching a boat tour, some of which bring kayaks that allow you to paddle up for a closer look. The rocky islets are flourishing in mangrove forests and thriving wildlife species. 

In fact, this is a fabulous place to visit to see Galapagos Island penguins. Along with these little waddling fellows, you can spot flightless cormorants, blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas. 

On the marine life front, marine turtles, sea lions, sharks and eagle rays are frequently seen in the area and there have even been reports of dolphins and humpback whales. 

You may also have the opportunity to snorkel in the waters close to the mangrove forest that is renowned for its vibrant population of reef fish, whitetip reef sharks, rays and turtles.

Summary

Isabela Island is one of the best places to go when vacationing in the Galapagos Islands. With the most active volcano on the archipelago, magnificent wildlife and dazzling natural landscapes, it is more than worthy of a place in your itinerary.

For anyone planning a visit to the Galapagos and wondering what there is to get up to, we have put together a list of the best things to do in Isabela Island. 

With so many marvellous landscapes and wildlife species, it can be difficult to know where to begin when planning a trip to the Galapagos Islands. Touring Galapagos has a wonderful selection of yachts and holiday packages on offer that glide you from one unforgettable site to another without a worry. Why not get in touch so we can organise the most incredible trip for you?