The Islands of the Galapagos

Baltra (also known as South Seymour)

One of the smaller islands of the Galapagos, it is located near the center of the island chain.  Baltra is a flat, arid island created by geological uplift whose vegetation consists primarily of saltbushes, Pricly Pear cactus and Palo Santo trees.

Baltra was established as a US military base during WWII, which was given to Ecuador after the war.  It is currently the site of the major airport in Galapagos, where most passengers for the islands arrive.

Baltra is not within the boundaries of the Galapagos National Park, and has little wildlife short of the land iguana, which was reintroduced to the islands in the 1990s.

South Plaza Island

With an area of only .13 square km, this is one of the smallest of the Galapagos Islands, but it is home to a variety of animal and plant life.  Land and marine iguanas, sea lions, a variety of birds including Red-billed tropicbirds, Swallow-tailed gulls, boobies and others all live along the cliffs of this island.  Particularly during the dry season, the vegetation here can be quite colorful. Prickly Pear cacti and sesuvium grow on the uplifted lava that forms the island.

Santa Fe (Barrington Island)

Santa Fe is one of the oldest islands of the Galapagos. Santa Fe is populated with sea lions and a variety of bird life. Mockingbirds, Galapagos hawks, frigatebirds, doves, finches, and Galapagos flycatchers live here, along with the rare Santa Fe land iguana.  A forest of enormous Prickly Pear cactus makes a walk on this island interesting.

Española

Española is the oldest of the Galapagos Islands, with lava dated at nearly three and a half million years old.  Dry, flat and without fresh water, the island is not particularly hospitable to wildlife, but it is a haven for seabirds.  The largest known colony of Waved Albatrosses live here during their breeding season (April to December), along with marine iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, the long-billed mockingbird, finches, boobies, sea lions and lava lizards.

Floreana (Charles Island or Santa Maria Island)

This is one of the older islands in the Galapagos, but its volcano remains potentially active. It is also one of the few islands with a dependable fresh water supply. A flamingo lagoon lies tucked away on the island at Punto Cormorant, where other bird species can also be viewed.  Post Office Bay still has the wooden barrel mailbox placed there in 1894, where tourists can leave letters to be taken by other visitors to their destinations. Snorkeling at Devil’s Crown is above a submerged volcanic cone.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is the center of human activity in the Galapagos Islands, including the largest town in the Islands, Puerto Ayora.  There are more endemic plants on this island than on any other, but human occupation and invasive species have done damage to populations of many of these plants.  Inactive volcano cones and Galapagos tortoises in their natural habitats are some of the sights to be seen here.  In Black Turtle Cove, plenty of sharks, rays and sea turtles can be viewed.  The Charles Darwin Research Station and the National Park Headquarters are both located in Puerto Ayora.

Jervis (Rabida)

Red sand beaches are populated with sea lions, with a flamingo lagoon tucked away behind.  The land is dry and volcanic, covered with Prickly Pear cactus, Palo Santo trees and low bushes.

Bartolome

A barren volcano is the centerpiece of this island, with its unique and colorful moon-like landscape and an amazing view from the top.   Snorkeling in the bays of Bartolome around Pinnacle Rock is impressive as well; marine turtles, a wide variety of beautiful fish and the occasional shark can be seen in the waters.  The Galapagos penguin breeds here, and is often seen in the waters and on the rocky shores.

Chinese Hat (Sombrero Chino)

Named for its shape, this is a small island with an extinct volcano cone.  A good snorkeling location, where sea lions and Galapagos penguins can be seen.

North Seymour

Holds the largest colony of magnificent frigatebirds in the Galapagos.  A variety of other wildlife can be seen here as well, including land iguanas, sea lions, blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls.

Isabella

Nearly 4 times the size of the next largest island (Santa Cruz), this is the largest of the Galapagos island chain.  It is also one of the youngest; like Fernandina, it continues to be volcanically active.  Isabella is exceptionally rich in animal and bird life, and is home to more wild tortoises than any other island.  Further, natural barriers on the island have enabled multiple species of tortoise to develop there.  The island also contains populations of penguins, cormorants, Marine Iguanas, boobies, pelicans, plenty of Sally lightfoot crabs, land iguanas, finches, Galapagos hawks, and Galapagos doves.  Dolphins and whales can often be seen off the west coast of the island in the Bolivar Channel.  Puerto Villamil, located in the southeast, is the third largest settlement on the islands.

Fernandina

This is one of the largest islands in the Galapagos, whose centerpiece is one of the world’s most active volcanoes whose activity continues to form the island.  Along its shores, marine life abounds, with flightless cormorants, sea lions, pelicans, marine iguanas and crabs.

Santiago Island (James or San Salvador Island)

Santiago is the fourth largest island in the archipelago (after Isabella, Fernandina, and Santa Cruz), and like Isabella and Fernandina, one of the most volcanically active. At Puerto Egas (James Bay), the Galapagos Fur Seal can be seen playing in pools along the cliffs.  Birds such as the Galapagos hawk, the Galapagos dove and the vermillion flycatcher can also be seen here. Lava lizards, marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, and the blue-footed booby are also found here.

Genovesa (Tower)

Genovesa is a small island, but interesting for both its geology and biology.  This island is known for its diverse populations of bird species, many of which can be seen around Darwin’s Bay.  These include colonies of both blue-footed and red-footed boobies, lava gulls, frigatebirds, night herons, mockingbirds, and finches.  A bit to the east, a colony of storm petrels can be seen, along with red-bellied tropicbirds and boobies. Sea lions and fur seals also live here.

San Cristobal (Chatham)

San Cristobal has the only permanent stream in the Galapagos, and the oldest surviving settlement on the islands.  It was also the place where Darwin first landed in 1835.  Occasionally a point of departure for tourist yachts.