Which galapagos islands to visit

Things to note: the Galapagos archipelago is quite large. Its land mass measures 3, square miles 7, square kilometers and stretches over an area of 17, square miles 45, square kilometers in the Pacific Ocean, a size comparable to that of Greece! In total, the archipelago is made up of 21 islands, 14 of which can be visited. The Galapagos Islands and, by extension, expedition itineraries, are generally divided into different regions Northern, Southern, Western, Eastern, and Southeastern, offered via different vessels.

This graphic will help you choose the itinerary in which you will see no less than two of the TOP 8 Must-visit Galapagos Islands! Choose your itinerary and vessel according to your specific interests. Choose your Galapagos cruise Itinerary according to the islands you want to visit! Bartolome Island is one of the youngest islands you can explore in Galapagos. Size : 0. This is one of the most photographed places in the entire archipelago. Size : 23 mi 2 60 km 2 Altitude : ft m Coordinates : Located in the southern region of the archipelago, this is an immensely popular destination due to the sheer variety and number of creatures that inhabit it.

Fernandina Island Fernandina Island. Size : mi 2 km 2 Altitude : 4, ft 1, m Coordinates : Fernandina is geologically the youngest of all Galapagos Islands. This relatively young island is a volcanic canvas of recent lava flows that have painted its terrain, like abstract strokes and swirls of black, igneous rock. Sprinkled across this surreal landscape are clusters of semi-colorful lava cacti surrounded by what appear to be pieces of rock… with tails and feet.

Pinning almost the exact center of the island is La Cumbre—a shield volcano made almost entirely out of fluid lava flows. This active behemoth stands at about 4, ft 1, m and dominates all other nearby volcanoes by being the most active volcano in the entire archipelago.

Size : 5. The boats that do go such as ours! Genovesa is the only sunken crater in the whole archipelago that ships can sail into and anchor in. Isabela Island is the largest island of the archipelago. Size : 1, mi 2 4, km 2 Altitude: 5, ft 1, m Percentage of the island that is populated: 0. Isabela Island is the biggest island in the archipelago, home to one of the smallest towns in the Galapagos and one of the biggest craters in the whole world.

The island itself is the culmination of six shield volcanoes that have merged into one another, these are: Alcedo, Cerro Azul, Darwin, Ecuador, Sierra Negra, and Wolf. Discover more of the Galapagos Islands during land expeditions! Small, yet packed with surprises! In these islands, even something as simple as a cactus can teach some fascinating lessons about natural selection: Local tortoises evolved unique shells that allow their necks to reach high enough to eat the plant's pads.

The hawk, which is thought to be a newcomer to the islands it's only been here about , years , really doesn't like people. If a human touches a nest, the bird will abandon it. Interestingly, males are monogamous and do most of the nurturing—females can mate with as many as seven partners in a season.

Scientists call this arrangement cooperative polyandry. Humans call it something else. South Plaza sticks out in the memory and in the photo album because of its distinctive look: Opuntia cactus and Sesuvium carpet weed cover the lava rock like a distinctive red bedspread. This is the the only place in the islands where marine iguanas which dive for food and land iguanas which forage for cactus cohabitate. It's also where bachelor sea lions are banished, so it's important to avoid rogue males by heeding the instructions of your guide.

Because South Plaza is such a tiny island, stops here tend to be short and sweet. There's a North Plaza Island, too, but it's only for researchers.

This island is the bird's breeding ground—all of the world's estimated 12, pairs live here. They're away at sea from January to March and return to lay eggs in the spring.

Their elaborate courtship dance, a goofy but precise minute spectacle involving clacking bills, wiggling, honking, and whistling, is probably the most touted of all the animal mating rituals on the islands. You stand a chance of catching the routine whenever the birds are in residence, but October is the peak month.

Guides may also point out the way the sea surges through the island's impressive volcanic blowholes. Humans are allowed in the safer waters nearby for snorkeling, kayaking, and swimming—but allow us to be the first to warn you that the ocean runs cold in these parts, so you'll be much more comfortable if you wear a wetsuit check ahead to see if your boat will provide one—you'd be wise to bring your own snorkel, mask, and fins.

Are these the only notable creatures and plants? Are these the only places worth going? Absolutely not. So please accept this oversimplified celebration as it's intended, and use it to fire your desire to visit and learn for yourself. How to decide which islands to see? Santa Cruz Indefatigable and Puerto Ayora It's possible to come to Puerto Ayora and hit up the travel agencies along the main street pictured above until you find a discounted berth on a last-minute weeklong boat tour.

Floreana Charles Only four islands here are inhabited, and even those aren't built up much. Daphne Major Sooner or later, all visitors ask their guides where year-old Charles Darwin made his world-changing observation about the specific adaptations of the beak of the finch, a detail that eventually fueled his theory of natural selection.

Isabela Albemarle The biggest of the island group on maps, it's the one shaped like a seahorse facing west , the dry and harshly volcanic Isabela is more than 60 miles long. North Seymour Sun-battered North Seymour is all about seabirds. Santiago San Salvador or James Welcome to sea lion central: More than 50, of them live here—barking, bickering, sleeping, birthing, swimming, and stinking of fish. Santa Fe Barrington On Santa Fe, land iguanas can grow to be as large as 5 feet long, but don't be afraid.

South Plaza Plaza Sur South Plaza sticks out in the memory and in the photo album because of its distinctive look: Opuntia cactus and Sesuvium carpet weed cover the lava rock like a distinctive red bedspread. And don't be like Charles. Galapagos is a world-class destination for scuba divers because of the abundance of sharks, sea lions, fur seals, marine turtles, rays, mantas, marine iguanas, and reef fishes. The GNPD has granted permission to a select number of tour providers.

If you plan to dive on your trip, check with your provider to make sure the company is authorized to offer this activity. Although fighting to save some of the world s most iconic endangered Every donation you make through December 31 will be matched dollar for dollar to help us protect the endangered species and fragile ecosystems of one of the world's most incredible natural wonders. Planning a Trip. Connect with us: facebook tweeter instagram youtube.

The Galapagos Islands are governed by a Special Law that supports conservation and the preservation of its unique environment. The Galapagos Governing Council is responsible for the overall management of the Archipelago, working to ensure a balance between the populated areas and protected areas.

For this reason, the movement of visitors and inhabitants in and out of the Islands requires careful management. Click the links below for several important considerations for traveling to the Islands. Hotels and Day Trips Visitor Sites and Guides Diving in Galapagos Requirements to Enter Galapagos In June of , the government Ecuador announced that all national or foreign tourists must show the below documents prior to entering the province of Galapagos — however, these requirements have yet to be implemented.

We will update this page when those changes take place; the necessary documents that will be required are listed below for information purposes: Return airline ticket. Reservation in a hotel or with a cruise tour, that matches the dates of your return airline ticket, OR A letter of invitation to enter as a guest of a permanent or temporary resident in the Galapagos Islands for no more than 60 days per year a limit outlined in the Special Law for Galapagos.

Most live-aboard boats offer five- to eight-day itineraries, with set departure dates and routes. Your boat will provide a northern or southern itinerary sometimes called eastern and western itineraries , alternating weekly.

Some species are seasonal, and many exist only on specific islands. These birds just show up for mating in the spring and summer. The benefit of traveling on a smaller-capacity vessel is a more intimate onboard experience and faster transfer times between your main vessel and the rubber dinghies.

Smaller boats also tend to have more character and history. Ecoventura , which has several vessels that allow for up to 20 passengers at a time, is another excellent operator. In addition, two naturalists take guests onshore and explain every animal and plant in great detail.

The boats also offer some of the most eco-friendly options around, which are of growing importance to an area already seeing the negative effects of climate change. No matter when you go, the adventure is sure to be unique and wonderful. June through December are the cooler and drier months. Skies can be cloudy and gray. January through May are the warmer and wetter months, but the rain creates brilliantly clear blue skies between showers — great for photography. March and April tend to be the hottest and wettest months, while August tends to be the coolest time.

Meanwhile, water temperatures vary throughout the year because of the powerful ocean currents in the archipelago.

In the cool and dry season June through December , the colder currents dominate and the water temperature dips low. A wet suit likely provided by your boat or hotel may be required while snorkeling during these months.

However, the upside is that the cold current brings in huge quantities of plankton, which attract hungry marine life. Last-minute deals are sometimes available for travelers who can afford to spend a few days searching for sales after arriving.