Only 14 islands of the Galapagos are open to visitors, guests traveling to the enchanted isles often find it somewhat difficult to decide on the best islands to visit in Galapagos. Hand-in-hand with that dilemma, of course, is figuring out which one of the Galapagos itineraries available is the best one to go on. That’s why we would like to present to you our list of the top 3 best islands to visit in the Galapagos, in no particular order, as voted by our own, aboard the Santa Cruz II Galapagos cruise. Note: All of these islands are home to a substantial number of our Galapagos BIG15 group of iconic species!
Make sure you visit the top best islands and more iconic landmarks of the Galapagos Islands!
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Genovesa Island: Just One of the Best Islands to Visit in the Galapagos
As isolated as it is enchanted, Genovesa Island has its appeal due to the remarkable experience it offers guests via the plethora of birds that are present and its surrounding scenery. This is one of the few islands that are located in the north of the archipelago and keep in mind that not all boats in Galapagos have this island included in their itineraries. Adding to the magnificence of said exclusivity is the fact that Genovesa is the only crater throughout the whole archipelago that ships can venture into. This is also why it’s regarded as one of the best islands in Galapagos – the beautiful bay that ships can anchor in making for a great excuse in its own right.
Why you should visit it: Reputation as “Bird Island” (featuring the rare, red-footed booby!). Geological beauty.
Fernandina Island
Both spectacular and mesmerizing at the same time, Fernandina Island is a beautiful collection of nascent Earth that’s peppered with a beautiful collection of equally mesmerizing creatures. From Galapagos penguins to the enigmatic flightless cormorants that hang around the black, lava rock coast (which is covered by a crowd of equally black marine iguanas), Fernandina rightfully earns its place among the best islands to visit in Galapagos.
Why you should visit it: Penguins & Flightless Cormorants. “Youngest island,” geologically speaking.
Española Island
Regarded by many to be the “Grand Central” of wildlife throughout the enchanted isles, it’s no wonder that Española makes it to the list of best islands to visit in Galapagos Islands. Located to the far south of the archipelago, this island gains recognition by virtue of the massive amount of wildlife it is home to. Fun Fact: It was the first island to be observed (but not walked on!) by Charles Darwin aboard the HMS Beagle in 1835.
Why you should visit it: Sheer quantity of wildlife, including the waved albatrosses, Nazca, and blue-footed boobies. Famous geological “blow hole” phenomenon.
