The TOP 8 Must-Visit Galapagos Islands!

You can only truly say you have been to the Galapagos Islands if you have visited at least two of the TOP 8 Galapagos Islands that Experts agree showcase the archipelago’s best features. This carefully-curated list of islands from one of UNESCO’s Natural World Heritage Sites is your definite guide to selecting the best itinerary aboard the top Galapagos cruise and yachts.  As long as you have a minimum of two in your Galapagos itinerary, you will be able to say you visited the islands.

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We present to you the list of TOP 8 Galapagos Islands! (In alphabetical order because there really isn’t one island better than the other):

1. Bartolome Island
2. Española Island
3. Fernandina Island
4. Genovesa Island
5. Isabela Island
6. North Seymour Island
7. Santiago Island
8. South Plaza Island

First things first: the Galapagos archipelago is pretty big, consisting of 7,880 square kilometers (3,093 square miles) of land spread out over 45,000 square kilometers (17,000 square miles) of the Pacific ocean. Its size is comparable to the state of Mississippi or the country of Greece! In total, the archipelago is made up of 21 islands, 14 islands of which are visitable. The Galapagos Islands and, consequently, Galapagos itineraries, are generally divided by region (Northern, Southern, Western, Eastern, and Southeastern Galapagos, depending on your vessel). Each region and itinerary is arranged into a specific number of days/nights (none which falls under the recommended minimum number of 5 days for properly experiencing the Galapagos). The only two recurring islands you’ll find on each itinerary are the islands of Baltra – where Galapagos’ main airport is located – and Santa Cruz – home to the largest population of inhabitants (known as galapagueños) in the archipelago.

This graphic will help you choose the itinerary in which you will see no less than two of the must-visit TOP 8 Galapagos Islands!

TOP 8 Must-See Galapagos Islands and how to see them

Now, read on and take a look at the spectacular highlights offered by each Galapagos Island!

Choose your itinerary and vessel according to your specific interests.

 

 

TOP 8 MUST-VISIT GALAPAGOS ISLANDS LIST: HIGHLIGHTS

(As consistently rated by our Galapagos Experts, Expedition Leaders, Guests, and Guides.)

1. Bartolome Island

Size: 1.2 km² (0.5 mi²)
Altitude: 114 m (374 ft)
Coordinates: -0.284136, -90.549907
Estimated Age: Approximately 2 million years old
British Name: Bartholomew
Visitor Sites: Beach, Hillside Viewpoint
Highlights:

This island is famous for several reasons, one of which is the monumental and iconic tower of raw earth that pokes out into the sky known as “Pinnacle Rock.” Leading up to this pinnacle is a relatively long stretch of sandy beach that offers visitors some great water to snorkel in (as does the beach on the other side of the peninsula).
Heading up the side of the hill that is Bartolome’s large volcanic cone, visitors can take a wooden staircase almost all the way to the top to get sweeping views of the gorgeous, surrounding scenery.  

You can visit this island on our: Northern Galapagos itinerary aboard the Santa Cruz II, Northern Galapagos itinerary aboard Yacht La Pinta, Central Galapagos, and South and Central combined itinerary aboard Yacht Isabela II. See it also through Yacht Isabela II’s new Western itinerary available from 2021.

2. Española Island

Size: 60 km2 (23 mi2)
Altitude: 206 m (676 ft)
Coordinates: -1.355524, -89.663035
Estimated Age: 4 million years old. Española is the oldest island still in existence.
British Name: Hood
Visitor Sites: Punta Suarez and Gardner Bay
Highlights:

Consider this the Grand Central Station of wildlife in the Galapagos. Located in the southern region of the archipelago, Española is an immensely popular destination due to the sheer variety and number of creatures that it is home to. Atop its pretty flat and dry terrain, you’ll find the island teeming with a wide amount of iconic species.
Fun Fact: Española was the first island observed by Charles Darwin during his epic voyage on board the HMS Beagle in 1835, although he never landed on it.

Española Island is exclusive to our Eastern Galapagos itinerary  aboard Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise, our Eastern Galapagos itinerary  aboard Yacht La Pinta, our Central and combined Southern and Central Galapagos itinerary aboard Yacht Isabela II, and our new Western Galapagos itinerary aboard Yacht Isabela II starting 2021.

6. North Seymour Island

Size: 1.9km² (0.73 mi²)
Altitude: 28 m (92 ft)
Coordinates: -0.397352, -90.285394
Estimated Age: 1.3 million years old
British Name: North Seymour Island
Visitor Sites: Trail through colonies of frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies
Highlights:

Small but packed with surprises! This is how North Seymour is best described. On this island, you’ll follow the trail through the nesting areas of frigatebirds (great and magnificent). Additionally, you’ll get a glimpse of the comings and goings of blue-footed boobies at one of the largest colonies you’ll get a chance to see during your trip. Everywhere you look, wildlife will be roaming around you. Talk about feeling the energy of the archipelago! North Seymour was formed by an underwater uplift, and not from volcanic activity.

You can visit this island on our Eastern Galapagos itinerary aboard the Santa Cruz II, Western Galapagos itinerary aboard Yacht La Pinta, Central Galapagos, Northern Galapagos itinerary aboard Yacht Isabela II, and Western and Northern Galapagos itineraries aboard Yacht Isabela II starting 2021. 

7. Santiago Island

Size: 226 km² (558 mi²)
Altitude: 906 m (2975 ft)
Coordinates: -0.259206, -90.840487
Estimated Age: Approximately 1 million years old, with lava flows that are around 100 years old and still forming on the southern part of the island
British Name: James
Visitor Sites: Puerto Egas, Sullivan Bay, Buccaneer Cove
Highlights:

This former large shield volcano looks more like a mountain range complete with hills, valleys and plenty of parasitic cones. A rugged and well-eroded coastline made of tuff stone lies above a black strip of lava flow. Serving as an archaeological site of sorts, Santiago Island still has remnants of its recent past strewn about. The majority of these remnants were left behind by the former salt miners that inhabited the islands for a while (back in the 1960’s), up until their whole operation went bankrupt.
Charles Darwin spent most of his (brief) time in the archipelago at Buccaneer Cove.

You can visit this island on our Northern Galapagos itinerary aboard the Santa Cruz II, Northern Galapagos itinerary aboard Yacht La Pinta, Northern and Central Galapagos itinerary aboard Yacht Isabela II. See it also through our Western and Northern itinerary aboard Yacht Isabela II starting 2021. 

8. South Plaza Island

Size: 130 m² (.08 mi²)
Altitude: 23 m (75 ft)
Coordinates: -0.584264, -90.160794
Estimated Age: 1-2 million years
British Name: N/A
Highlights:

Resting next to Santa Cruz like two discarded fangs of earth, North and South Plaza might be rather small islets but they still pack several treats. The northern half isn’t open to visitors, but the southern island offers a great little trail. You’ll arrive at the northern shore of South Plaza, which mainly consists of white rocks that have been polished by oily sea lions that have traveled up and down this portion of the island.
The trail on South Plaza will take you through a majestic array of fauna (that includes a decent number of opuntia cacti) up towards the biggest highlight – the bachelor sea lion colony. South Plaza was formed by an uplift of the seafloor.

You can visit this island on our: Eastern Galapagos itinerary aboard the Santa Cruz II, Eastern Galapagos itinerary aboard Yacht La Pinta, and Central Galapagos itinerary aboard Yacht Isabela II.

Read on! These are the other amazing and unique Galapagos Islands that are also included in the aforementioned itineraries!

The Galapagos Archipelago is composed of 21 islands, of which 14 are visitable. These are the remaining 6 islands you can visit through the itineraries of Galapagos’ top cruise and vessels. Each of these is home to magnificent landscapes, Galapagos wildlife, beaches and bays that will take your breath away!

 

Sombrero Chino Island (Chinese Hat)

Size: 0,208 km² (0,0803 mi² )
Altitude: 50 m (5.3 ft)
Coordinates: -0.370495, -90.583278
Estimated Age: Approximately 1 million years old
Highlights:

This cute little cinder cone is home to a beautiful moon-shaped white sand beach, perfect for swimming and snorkeling after an invigorating hike along its 400-meter long trail.  Enjoy some amazing views and get a first-hand understanding of how volcanic activity shaped this amazing archipelago.

You can visit this island on our: Northern Galapagos itinerary aboard Yacht La Pinta.

Santa Fe Island

Size: 24 km² (9.3 mi²)
Altitude: 260 m (850 ft)
Coordinates: -0.806916, -90.062273
Estimated Age: Approximately 4 million years
British Name: Barrington Island
Highlights:

In search of something rather unique and special? Santa Fe Island is sure to please visitors with its colony of pale-colored Santa Fe land iguanas. Guests hoping to take a load off can relax beside sea lions along the sandy shores of the turquoise bay. Studies suggest that Santa Fe Island might be the oldest Galapagos volcano, as there are sub-aerial rocks present that date back approximately 4 million years.

You can visit this island on our: Eastern Galapagos itinerary aboard the Santa Cruz II, Eastern Galapagos itinerary aboard Yacht La Pinta, and Central Galapagos itinerary aboard Yacht Isabela II.

Floreana Island

Size: 174 km² (67 mi²)
Altitude: 2099 m (640 ft)
Percent of island populated: 1.79%
Population: 310
Coordinates: -1.279436, -90.486362
Estimated Age: Approximately 3.5 million years old
British Name: Charles
Visitor Sites: Punta Cormorant, Post Office Bay, Champion Islet, Baroness Cove, Asilo de la Paz, Pat´s Landing
Highlights:

Teeming with human history and a handful of visitor sites, Floreana is known for its eccentric past. The presence of colonists and visitors on the island were just the beginning of a long series of events that would colour the island with history so dramatic that one might even think it came straight out a Hollywood script

You can visit this island on our: Western Galapagos itinerary aboard the Santa Cruz II,  Western Galapagos itinerary aboard Yacht La Pinta, and Southern Galapagos itinerary aboard Yacht Isabela II.

San Cristobal Island

Size: 557 km² (215 sq mi²)
Altitude: 730 metres (2,395 ft)
Percent of island populated: 15.04%
Population: approximately 8,393
Coordinates: 0.83°S 89.43°W
Estimated Age: 2.35 million years
British Name: Chatham Island
Visitor Sites: La Galapaguera, Cerro Brujo, Punta Pitt
Highlights:

The easternmost island of the archipelago, also home to the administrative capital, holds some of the islands’ most iconic scenic highlights. Combine this with the possibility of enjoying local hospitality in the picturesque town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, and you’ve got quite a town to check out. San Cristobal is the site of the first human settlement in the whole archipelago and is the island where Charles Darwin first disembarked in 1835.

You can visit this island on our: Eastern Galapagos itinerary aboard the Santa Cruz II, Eastern Galapagos itinerary aboard Yacht La Pinta, and Northern Galapagos itinerary aboard Yacht Isabela II.

Rabida Island

Size: 5 km² (3 mi²)
Altitude: 364 m (1204 ft)
Coordinates: -0.418461, -90.710215
Estimated Age: Approximately 2.5 million years old
British Name: Jervis
Visitor Sites: Red Beach
Highlights:

Like stepping off the boat and walking on the surface of Mars, Rabida’s strikingly colored beach serves as a refresher for the eyes. Rabida is made up of an interesting palette of colors that are split between turquoise waters, its maroon sandy beach, white trees, and lush green highlands.

You can visit this island on our: Northern Galapagos itinerary aboard the Santa Cruz II, Western Galapagos itinerary aboard Yacht La Pinta, and Northern Galapagos itinerary aboard Yacht Isabela II.

Santa Cruz Island

Size: 986 km² (mi²)
Altitude: 864 m (2,835 ft)
Percent of island populated: 11.55%
Population: 11,385
Coordinates: -0.661289, -90.365731
Estimated Age: Approximately 2 million years old
British Name: Indefatigable
Visitor Sites: Charles Darwin Research Station, The Highlands, and the Giant tortoise reserve, Los Gemelos (Pit Craters)*, Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill), Las Bachas, Tortuga Bay*
*Will depend on time/itinerary
Highlights:

Santa Cruz is the second largest island of the Galapagos archipelago and has all seven vegetation zones. In addition to this, Santa Cruz is home to the largest human population throughout the archipelago and, consequently, has the biggest town. From restaurants to bars all the way to banks and souvenir shops, Puerto Ayora in Santa Cruz is the closest thing you’ll get to a lively piece of civilization this far away from the mainland.

You can visit this island on our: Eastern Galapagos, Western Galapagos, and Northern Galapagos itineraries aboard Santa Cruz II. Eastern Galapagos, Western Galapagos and Northern Galapagos itineraries aboard Yacht La Pinta. Southern Galapagos, Northern Galapagos and Central Galapagos itineraries aboard Yacht Isabela II.