The Best Islands to Visit in Galapagos!
Looking to discover and explore the Galapagos, but having trouble figuring out which islands to visit in particular? First things first: the Galapagos archipelago is pretty big, consisting of 7,880 square kilometers (3,040 square miles) of land (similar to the state of Mississippi or the country of Greece) spread out over 45,000 square kilometres (17,000 square miles) of ocean. In total, the archipelago is made up of 21 islands, 14 islands of which are visitable. It makes perfect sense that one might find it daunting at first to have so much land to cover, but that’s what we’re to help you out with in this blog.
It’s worth remembering that the islands and, consequently, Galapagos itineraries, are divided by region (Northern, Southern, Western, and Eastern 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 recurring island you’ll find on each itinerary is the island of Santa Cruz – home to the largest population of inhabitants (known as galapaguenos) in the archipelago. Otherwise, each itinerary offers its own distinct set of beautiful islands, all of which are definitely worth a visit. In order to help better plan your trip, we invite you to have a look at this blog that details the spectacular highlights offered by each Galapagos Island, allowing you to choose your itinerary accordingly.
Top 3* Must-see Galapagos Islands: Highlights
*As consistently rated by our Galapagos Experts, Expedition Leaders, Guests and Guides.
#1: Española
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:
- Overwhelming diversity of wildlife
- Amazing coastline consisting of dramatic cliffs
- Largest nesting colony of blue-footed boobies
- Only island with a colony of Galapagos albatrosses
- Ocean “blowhole” geological formation
- 7 out of 15 Galapagos BIG15 wildlife: Galapagos albatross (Española is the only island where you can see them!), Galapagos sea lion, Nazca booby, blue-footed booby, frigatebird (great and magnificent), Galapagos Hawk, marine iguana
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 (Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise), Southern Galapagos itinerary (Yacht Isabela II), and Eastern Galapagos itinerary (Yacht La Pinta).
#2: Fernandina
Size: 642 km2 (248 mi2)
Altitude: 1,476 metres (4,842 feet)
Coordinates: -0.280570, -91.438135
Estimated Age: Geologists estimate between 80,000 – 800,000 years old. Fernandina is the youngest of all the islands.
British Name: Narborough
Visitor Site: Punta Espinosa
Highlights:
- Youngest island (in geological terms)
- Surreal, volcanic landscape
- Occasional volcanic activity
- 7 out of 15 Galapagos BIG15 wildlife: Flightless cormorant, marine iguana, Galapagos penguin, sea lion, blue-footed booby, Galapagos sea lion, Galapagos fur seal, (great and magnificent), and Galapagos land iguanas (seldom seen in lower elevations)
Step closer, and you’ll find that tens, maybe hundreds, of marine iguanas are present.
Pinning almost the exact centre of the island is La Cumbre – a shield volcano made almost entirely out of fluid lava flows. This active behemoth stands at about 1,475 meters (4,842 feet) and dominates all other nearby volcanoes by being the most active volcano in the whole archipelago
Fernandina Island is exclusive to our Western Galapagos (Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise), Northern Galapagos (Yacht Isabela II), and Western Galapagos (Yacht La Pinta) itineraries.
#3: Genovesa
Size: 14 km2 (8.5 mi2)
Altitude: 64 m (209 ft)
Coordinates: 0.316142, -89.962869
Estimated Age: 2 million years old
British Name: Tower
Visitor Sites: Darwin Bay, Prince Philip’s Steps
Highlights:
- Relatively young lava flows on the flanks of the volcano
- Reputation as “Bird Island” for the large and varied bird colonies that nest here
- 6 out of 15 Galapagos BIG15 wildlife: Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos fur seals, Nazca boobies, frigatebirds (great), red-footed booby, marine iguana
Genovesa Island is exclusive to our: Northern Galapagos itinerary (for the Santa Cruz II Galapagos Cruise), Northern Galapagos itinerary (for Yacht Isabela II), and Northern Galapagos itinerary (for Yacht La Pinta).
Best Galapagos Islands Runner-ups
(in no particular order)
North Seymour
Size: 1.9km2 (0.73 mi2)
Altitude: 28 metres (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:
- Large colonies of frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies
- Nesting rituals depending on the time of the year
- 7 out of 15 Galapagos BIG15 wildlife: land iguanas, marine iguanas, frigatebirds (great and magnificent), Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos fur seals, blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies
You can visit this island on our: Eastern Galapagos itinerary aboard the Santa Cruz II, Western Galapagos itinerary aboard Yacht La Pinta, Central Galapagos itinerary aboard Yacht Isabela II.
South Plaza

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:
- Much of the island is the result of pillow lava (lava flowing and cooling under the surface of the sea)
- Despite its size, it is home to many species and an extraordinary array of fauna
- Home to one of the largest colonies of Galapagos sea lions in the entire archipelago
- Large colony of land iguanas
- 6 out of 15 Galapagos BIG15 wildlife: Galapagos sea lion, land iguana, marine iguana, frigatebird (great and magnificent), blue-footed booby, Nazca booby
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 sea floor.
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.
Isabela

Isabela Island
Size: 4,588 km2 (2,850 mi2)
Altitude: 1,707 m (5,600 ft)
Percent of island populated: 0.78%
Population: 3,568
Coordinates: -0.944888, -90.966880
Estimated Age: Approximately 1 million years old
British Name: Albemarle
Visitor Sites: Punta Vicente Roca, Urbina Bay, Tagus Cove, Punta Moreno, Elizabeth Bay, Sierra Negra*, Wall of Tears*, Tintoreras*, Puerto Villamil*
*Only available on island-to-island hopping programs
Highlights:
- Largest island in the archipelago
- Occasional volcanic activity
- 11 out of 15 Galapagos BIG15 wildlife: Blue-footed booby, marine iguana, Galapagos fur seal, Galapagos sea lion, Nazca booby, Galapagos penguin, flightless cormorant, land iguana, Galapagos hawk, frigatebirds (great and magnificent), Galapagos giant tortoise
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, Northern Galapagos itinerary aboard Yacht Isabela II.
Santiago

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:
- Contrasting, volcanic layers of age. Special point of interest for people interested in geology, volcanology or succession. Part of the island is very young (Sullivan Bay), part of it is very old.
- Diverse display of shorebirds
- High chance of seeing the rare Galapagos fur seal
- 6 out of 15 Galapagos BIG15 wildlife: Galapagos sea lion, Galapagos fur seal, marine iguana, blue-footed booby, Nazca booby, frigatebirds (great and magnificent)
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, and Central Galapagos itinerary aboard Yacht Isabela II.
Bartolome

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:
- “Postcard Island” – Incredible views and scenery
- Famous Pinnacle Rock
- 5 out of 15 Galapagos BIG15 wildlife: Galapagos penguin, Galapagos sea lion, Galapagos hawk, marine iguana, frigatebird (great and magnificent)
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, and Central Galapagos itinerary aboard Yacht Isabela II.
Sombrero Chino (Chinese Hat)

Sombrero Chino Islet
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:
- 400m trail along amazing landscapes
- Beautiful white sandy beach
- Opportunities to snorkel with white-tip reef sharks and tropical fishes, sea lions and penguins
- 4 out of 15 Galapagos BIG15 wildlife: Marine iguana, Galapagos sea lion, Galapagos penguin, Galapagos hawk
You can visit this island on our: Northern Galapagos itinerary aboard Yacht La Pinta.
Santa Fe

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:
- Endemic species of land iguana known as the Santa Fe iguana
- Large forest of giant prickly pear cactus in the whole archipelago
- Beautiful bay with turquoise waters
- 7 out of 15 Galapagos BIG15 wildlife: Santa Fe iguana, Galapagos hawk, blue-footed booby, Galapagos sea lion, frigatebird (great and magnificent), marine iguana, Nazca booby
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

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:
- Human history of the island
- Endemic flora and fauna (Floreana lava lizard, medium tree finch, Floreana Mockingbird)
- 6 out of 15 Galapagos BIG15 wildlife: American flamingo, Galapagos sea lion, frigatebird (great and magnificent), marine iguana, blue-footed booby, Galapagos penguin
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

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:
- Easternmost island in the archipelago
- Capital of the Galapagos province
- One of the two airports that connect to the mainland
- 7 out of 15 Galapagos BIG15 wildlife: Galapagos sea lion, frigatebird (great and magnificent), marine iguana, red-footed booby, blue-footed booby, Nazca booby, Galapagos giant tortoise
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

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:
- Distinctly coloured beach
- Excellent snorkelling site
- 6 out of 15 Galapagos BIG15 wildlife: Marine iguana, Galapagos hawk, blue-footed booby, Galapagos sea lion, Galapagos fur seal, frigatebird (great and magnificent)
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

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:
- Charles Darwin Research Station
- Giant tortoises in the wild
- Vegetation in the highlands
- 6 out of 15 Galapagos BIG15 wildlife: Galapagos giant tortoise, frigatebird (great and magnificent), land iguana, blue-footed booby, American flamingo, Galapagos sea lion
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.
With parents that worked for the U.S. Foreign Service up until he graduated from high school, Chris was raised to have the heart of a nomad throughout his life. He has resided in Honduras, Guatemala, Colombia, Panama and Ecuador throughout his years, and just recently spent the past four up in Canada finishing his Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy & English at the University of British Columbia.