Galápagos Islands Guide – Where To Go, What To See (2025)
The Galápagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, about 600 miles off Ecuador’s coast. Known for their unique wildlife and ecosystems, they were central to Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.
The archipelago consists of 18 main islands, each with distinct landscapes and wildlife. Visitors can see a wide variety of Galápagos animals from giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, and penguins.
Strict conservation laws protect the fragile environment, limiting tourism to designated areas. This guide helps you decide where to go and what to see in the Galápagos Islands, highlighting top destinations, wildlife, and must-visit attractions.
Santa Cruz Island
Around 70% of tourists arrive each year to Santa Cruz Island making it the most popular island in the Galápagos archipelago.
Puerto Ayora is where you would go first after flying to the airport in Baltra Island. It is the main town of Santa Cruz offering restaurants, shops, and a bustling harbor with opportunities for local cultural experiences. Such as visiting the fish market, where sea lions and pelicans gather for scraps.
Charles Darwin Research Station
It is a research and conservation facility in Puerto Ayora established in 1964, focusing on preserving the unique biodiversity of the Galápagos Islands. It includes laboratories, conservation programs, and an exhibition hall you can visit for free. It is an educational exhibition about the Galápagos animals and not a place for wildlife viewing.
However, the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center is the place to visit if you want to see multiple species of tortoises and baby tortoises in incubators. The center is named in honor of Fausto Llerena’s contributions to the giant tortoise breeding program, including his care for the most famous tortoise of the Galápagos, Lonesome George. You can visit the center via guided tour after paying USD 10 as entrance fee (2025 data).
Tortuga Bay (Bahia Tortuga)
Most of the visitors go the Tortuga Bay for its white sand beaches and turquoise waters. It is a paradise for swimming, kayaking, and sunbathing.
But it is much more than that. The beach is also home to some of the iconic Galápagos animals. Based on reviews, the most frequently spotted animals here are marine iguanas, sea turtles, tintoreras sharks and golden rays.
You can walk to the Bay from Puerto Ayora, which may take around 45 minutes. Or, you can also take a boat taxi in 20 minutes. The Bay has no tourist facilities since it is part of the Galápagos National Park.
El Chato Tortoise Reserve
El Chanto is a private reserve established more than 20 years ago. It is famous for its population of giant tortoises roaming freely in their natural habitat. Visitors can also explore hiking trails and lava tunnels. The reserve is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with species such as Darwin’s finches.
You can take a round-trip bus ride from Puerto Ayora for USD 20 (2025 data). Alternatively, choose the bus and cycle tour where you get to explore the towns of Santa Rosa and Bellavista, as well as a Tunnel of Lova on your way to the reserve for USD 35 (2025 data).
Other Things to Do in Santa Cruz Island
You can explore the Twin Craters (Los Gemelos) and nearby lava tunnels to experience the island’s volcanic history. You can also relax at the tranquil Garrapatero Beach. For adventure, head to Las Grietas, a crystal-clear crevice ideal for snorkeling and swimming.
San Cristóbal Island
30% of visitors arrive to San Cristóbal Airport to explore the easternmost island in the Galápagos. Its provincial capital is Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. You can reach it with a five-minute taxi ride (USD 2-4). If you are traveling light, you can also walk. The journey may take 20–30 minutes, depending on your exact destination.
In Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, explore the local markets, enjoy fresh seafood, or take a stroll along the waterfront, where sea lions and marine iguanas bask in the sun.
Gianni Arismendy Environmental Interpretation Center
Based on total number of visitors, this Interpretation Center and the neighbouring area are the most popular places to go on San Cristóbal Island.
The Center is a museum offering an in-depth history of the Galápagos, its geology, wildlife, and conservation efforts. It is free to enter and visitors usually spend 30 minutes to explore the exhibition.
It is located just outside Puerto Baquerizo Moreno approx. 1.5 miles from the marina. You can walk or take a taxi.
Tijeratas Hill and Punta Carola
A hiking path starts at the Interpretation Center and leads to Punta Carola, a sandy beach (15-20 minutes walk) and to Tijeratas Hill’s lookout point (15-20 minutes walk). The hill offers panoramic views of Kicker Rock to the west and Shipwreck Bay to the south.
It is also one of the few places where both species of frigatebirds (the Great Frigatebird and the Magnificent Frigatebird) nest in the same colony.
David Rodriguez Land Tortoise Breeding Center
The David Rodríguez Breeding Center, also known as La Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado, is in the southeastern part of island near Puerto Chino, approx. 14 miles from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. The journey takes approx. 40 minutes.
Visitors to the center can observe giant tortoises at various life stages, from hatchlings to adults. The facility includes an informative visitor center and a short hiking trail.
The breeding program involves raising tortoises until they are around 120 days old, at which point they are released into their natural habitat to enhance survival rates and support species recovery.
Other Things to Do on San Cristóbal Island
San Cristóbal Island offers a mix of adventure, wildlife, and scenic landscapes beyond its well-known sites. Hike up to El Junco Lagoon, the Galápagos’ only freshwater lagoon, where frigatebirds can be seen dipping in the water to clean their feathers.
For a unique coastal experience, visit La Lobería, a beach famous for its playful sea lion colony and great snorkeling. Playa Mann is another great spot to relax and watch the sunset alongside lounging sea lions.
For marine life encounters, take a boat tour to Kicker Rock (León Dormido), a dramatic rock formation that offers some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Galápagos, with chances to see hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, and rays.
Isabela Island
Isabela Island is the largest of the Galápagos Islands, covering approx. 1,771 square miles, more than half of the archipelago’s total land area. It is one of the youngest and most volcanically active island since five out of its six volcanoes are active.
Visitors can reach Isabela Island by air or by ferry (USD 35) from Santa Cruz Island arriving in Puerto Villamil, a small town located on the southeastern tip of the island. There is no direct air transportation between Isabela and mainland Ecuador.
Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center
Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center, near Puerto Villamil, is dedicated to the conservation of giant tortoises native to Isabela Island. Visitors can observe tortoises at various life stages, from hatchlings to adults, and learn about ongoing conservation efforts.
It is a small center which is free to visit and receives approx. 30,000 visitors per year, making it the most popular things to do on the island.
If you walk from the centre of Puerto Villamil, you will pass a small flamingo estuary (Flamingos Lake or Poza de los Flamingos) right along the boardwalk.
Circuito Muro
The second most popular things to do is hiking the Muro de las Lágrimas (Wall of Tears) trail. The Wall of Tears is a huge stone wall built by prisoners in the 1940-50s, located at the end of this 3-mile trail.
Visitors can reach the site by hiking or biking along a scenic trail that passes through diverse landscapes, including mangroves, beaches, and lagoons. They often recall spotting multiple giant tortoises along the way roaming free.
Sierra Negra Volcano and Chico Volcano
Sierra Negra is one of the most active volcanoes in the Galápagos, boasting one of the world’s largest volcanic craters, with a diameter of approximately 6 miles. Hiking to the rim provides panoramic views of the expansive caldera and the surrounding landscape.
The trail is a popular excursion for visitors interested in geology and natural history. Guided tours often provide additional insights into the volcanic processes that have shaped the archipelago.
A hike to Chico Volcano typically extends from the Sierra Negra trail, allowing visitors to experience a variety of volcanic landscapes in a single excursion. However, it is an almost ten mile long trail if you combine the two.
Fernandina Island
Fernandina Island, the westernmost and youngest of the Galápagos archipelago, remains uninhabited and is accessible only by boat.
The island is dominated by La Cumbre volcano, which features expansive lava flows and sparse vegetation, including resilient lava cacti.
The primary visitor site, Punta Espinosa (or Espinosa Point) where visitors can observe large colonies of marine iguanas, Galápagos penguins, and the unique flightless cormorants. The area also hosts sea lions, lava lizards, and various seabirds.
Santiago Island
Santiago Island, also known as James Island, is the fourth largest in the Galápagos archipelago. Uninhabited by humans and only accessible by boat, it features diverse landscapes shaped by volcanic activity, including black pahoehoe lava flows, tuff cones, and craters.
Sullivan Bay and James Bay are the two most well-known location on the island. Wildlife enthusiasts can observe multiple species of Galápagos animals like fur seals, marine iguanas, and a variety of bird species, including Darwin’s finches and Galápagos hawks.
Key visitor sites include Puerto Egas with its black sand beaches and tidal pools, Buccaneer Cove, historically a refuge for pirates and now a site of impressive cliffs and seabird colonies; and Espumilla Beach, a nesting site for sea turtles.
Bartolomé Island
Bartolomé Island is small island (only 0.5 sq miles) located east of Santiago Island. It was named after Sir Bartholomew James Sulivan, a friend of Charles Darwin. The island’s most famous feature is Pinnacle Rock, a distinctive volcanic formation that has become a symbol of the Galápagos.
Visitors can hike the 0.4-mile trail to the 374-foot summit for stunning views or swim and snorkel at the beaches, where green sea turtles nest. The clear waters offer great chances to see Galápagos penguins, sea lions, and tropical fish.
Access to Bartolomé is typically via authorized Galápagos cruises or day tours from nearby islands. Due to its popularity and ecological significance, visitor numbers are regulated, and activities are guided to minimize human impact.
Española Island and Gardner Island
Española Island is one of the most isolated and oldest Galápagos island. Due to its isolation, it has developed a high number of endemic species, including the Española mockingbird, the Española lava lizard, and the waved albatross.
This 37-square-mile island features two main visitor sites, which are accessible only by authorized cruises and day tours.
Punta Suárez is known for its wave albatross bird colonies (estimated 25,000-30,000) nesting between April to December over its dramatic cliffs.
Gardner Bay, famous for its white sand beach and opportunities to observe sea lions and green turtles in abundance. Gardner Island, also known as Gardner Islet, is a small, uninhabited islet located just off the bay.
Floreana Island
Floreana Island, also called Santa María, is in the southern Galápagos. Spanning 67 square miles, its highest point, Cerro Pajas, rises 2,100 feet. It was the first Galápagos island colonized by Ecuadorians in 1832 and has a history of pirates, whalers, and a penal colony. Today, about 100 residents live in Puerto Velasco Ibarra that is only accessible by boat and via authorized day tours.
Punta Cormorant is where visitors can see the island’s green beach and its nearby lagoon frequented by flamingos and other seabirds. Green turtles also nest here from December to March. There is a short 30-min, easy trail to explore the area.
Devil’s Crown is an underwater volcanic cone off the northeast coast, which became a renowned snorkeling spot due to its abundant marine life, including sea turtles, sharks, and vibrant tropical fish.
Post Office Bay provides a glimpse into maritime history with its centuries-old mail barrel, where travelers can leave and collect postcards without postage.
North Seymour Island, Mosquera Island, and Baltra Island
North Seymour Island is a wildlife haven and one of the best places to see blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds up close. During breeding season, male frigatebirds inflate their bright red throat pouches to attract mates, creating one of the most iconic sights in the Galápagos.
Mosquera Island is tiny sandbar between Baltra and North Seymour and known for its large sea lion colony. Its pristine white sand beaches make it a great stop for snorkeling, often with rays and reef sharks in the surrounding waters.
Baltra Island is a small barren island but important since it is the location of the main Galapagos airport.
Other small islands
Genovesa Island – Known as “Bird Island,” it’s a seabird paradise, home to red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, and great frigatebirds. The island’s horseshoe-shaped volcanic crater forms a stunning natural bay, offering one of the most unique landscapes in the Galápagos.
Rábida Island – Known for its deep red sand beaches, Rábida is one of the most photogenic islands in the Galápagos. The island has a saltwater lagoon often visited by flamingos, and the dramatic red volcanic landscape contrasts beautifully with its turquoise waters.
Pinta Island – Famous as the former home of Lonesome George, the last known Pinta Island tortoise, this island was heavily affected by invasive goats, which were removed in a massive conservation effort. Today, it is slowly recovering and remains an important site for scientific research and conservation.
Pinzón Island – One of the best places to see giant tortoises in the wild, Pinzón is a success story of conservation, as rats were eradicated to protect hatchling tortoises. The island’s rocky shores also offer great snorkeling, with sea lions, marine iguanas, and reef sharks.
Santa Fé Island – Home to the Santa Fé land iguana, an endemic species not found anywhere else. The island’s giant Opuntia cacti provide a striking landscape, while its calm bay is a great place for snorkeling with sea lions and sea turtles.
Marchena Island – One of the least visited islands, Marchena is a restricted area with no official landing sites. The waters around it, however, are rich in marine life with sightings of hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and dolphins.
Where to Stay in Galápagos Islands
The Galápagos Islands offer a range of accommodations, from eco-friendly lodges to luxury hotels, with many committed to sustainability and conservation. Finch Bay Hotel is just one of the best sustainable stays in the Galápagos.
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Emese Maczko is a travel blogger behind Eco Lodges Anywhere. Having explored several destinations around Europe, the US, Indonesia, and Australia, and resided in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg, Emese possesses a keen understanding of diverse cultures and an appreciation for the beauty of each destination she visits. She advocates for sustainable travel and ecotourism.