The best things to do in the Galapagos Islands

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There’s something Charles Darwin saw in this archipelago formed by 13 large volcanic islands 1.000 kilometers from the American mainland coast. How not to see it! The distance and the confluence of three major ocean currents meant that for millions of years the archipelago evolved on the fringes of the rest of the world and hence the result. There are many things to do in the Galapagos Islands, you’ll see!

Galapagos Islands animals are often the main protagonists of any visit, but there is much more because if there is a tour to Galapagos for 5 days, it must be for a reason!

Tour Tintoreras Bay on Isabela Island

Isabela Island is the largest of all the islands and by far, it occupies 60% of the territory! It has 6 volcanoes, 5 of them active. The highest volcano reaches 1,707 meters high and is called Wolf, it has the second largest crater in the world!

Tintoreras Bay is a group of small islands located near Puerto Villamil. Can you guess where the name comes from? Yes, you guessed right. In the narrow channels sharks and blue sharks are concentrated. If you like animals you will also enjoy seeing sea lions, penguins and iguanas.

Visit the Charles Darwin Station in Santa Cruz

To visit the Charles Darwin Station in Santa Cruz is to fall in love with the human work that is carried out. It has a breeding center where damaged turtles are cared for until they recover and are returned to their island. If you like the idea of seeing turtles, you can also visit El Chato Ranch.

In the morning between 8 and 11 am At the fishermen’s pier in Puerto Ayora there is a fish market where locals buy fresh fish and seafood, what a sight the lobsters look like! But better than lobsters is Tortuga Bay: absolutely white sand and a sea with a full range of blues. What better things to do in Galapagos Islands than just lie down on the beach and drink ice tea?

Dive in Santiago Island

Santiago Island is uninhabited and is the fourth in size among the islands of the archipelago. Its topography is dominated by a volcanic dome with small cones around it. One of its most interesting places is Sullivan Bay, with curious rock formations of great geological interest and areas for swimming and snorkeling. At this rate one week in the Galapagos Islands does not seem enough!

Follow Darwin’s footsteps on Cristobal Island

It has an area of 558 square kilometers and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the archipelago with about 6,000 inhabitants who would not hesitate to recommend Las Loberías beach to share a swim with sea lions, turtles, and colorful fish.

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is located in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the archipelago.

A crater houses the Laguna del Junco, the largest freshwater body of all the Galapagos. On this island is the first point of land that Darwin set foot on during his famous voyage. You’ll know you’re in the right place because a monument reminds you of it.

Recall stories of pirates in Floreana Island

Floreana Island is one of the oldest islands and the first to be inhabited. The island’s volcano favored by pirates, whalers, and settlers became extinct, and over time nutrient-rich soils have formed, making native flora abound.

It has beautiful populations of pink flamingos and sea turtles. In the Corona del Diablo, the cone of a submerged volcano, there are coral reefs with extensive biodiversity.

Discover the mystery of Marchena Island

Marchena Island is one of the best places to snorkel in the Galapagos Islands. Will you swim faster than scalloped hammerhead sharks? Stop! Before thinking about putting on your wetsuit you can’t miss the biggest mystery of the archipelago, we tell you about it!

In the late 1920s, Eloise Wehrborn, an Austrian woman nicknamed the Empress of the Galapagos, lived on Floreana Island. Eloise had several lovers, among them a German named Rudolf Lorenz who allegedly murdered Lorenz, whose body appeared mummified in Marchena Island.

Observe iguanas on Baltra Island

Baltra Island is probably one of the most visited islands and it’s not because of the curious blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, plus the characteristic land iguanas and beautiful sea lions. We know it sounds strange, but the reason is that it is home to one of the main airports of the Galapagos Islands.

Reach Mars at Rabida Island

Walking on reddish sand among seals doesn’t sound bad at all. We’re not saying your friends are seals, don’t get us wrong. We’re talking about the Rabida Island seal colony. And don’t be scared by the red color, it’s due to the high iron content of the lava that was produced on the island.

Meet the penguins of Bartolome Island

This island owes its name to Sir James Sulivan Bartholomew, a British naval officer and Darwin’s companion on his scientific adventure in the Galapagos. It is known for its large triangular structure, which comes from a volcanic cone, and is called Pinnacle Rock.

The most surprising thing about this small island, beyond offering you the unforgettable experience of swimming with penguins, is the varied color of its soils, with shades of red, orange, black and green.

Admire the Arch on Darwin Island

This small island is the tip of a submerged and extinct volcano, which rises 165 meters above the water. Less than a kilometer offshore is a rocky structure known as Darwin’s Arch. It is a paradisiacal place for those lovers of marine life. Fish, sea turtles, dolphins and even whales, what a date!

If you thought there was only one island, you were wrong, and if you thought that in one day you could get to know all its flora and fauna, you were even more mistaken. If you have time let yourself be carried away by its main islands and meet its magnificent inhabitants, but keep in mind that only in San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Isabela and Floreana are human. Do you already have in mind the things you would do in Galapagos Islands?