Bartolome (San Salvador)
Bartolome is a small island off James that offers beautiful white sand beaches fringed by luxuriant green mangroves.A recently volcanically active island,Bartolome Island has a moon-like landscape and volcanic cones.The view from the top of Pinnacle Rock is perhaps the most famous in the Galapagos with the opportunity to see up to 28 islands if visibility allows.On the beach watch for the endemic Galapagos penguins,the only penguins in the world found north of the equator.As you walk along the white sand beach you might catch a glimpse of them swimming along side marine turtles a variety of brighty colored tropical fish and white-tipped reef sharks,while the Galapagos Hawk files overhead.Marine turtles come ashore to nest here between January and March.
Cerro Dragon (Santa Cruz), Galapagos
The Dragon Hill is located in northwestern Santa Cruz Island and consists of a trail that runs through three different environments at just 1600metres long.In the lagoons there are shrimps,the same as is the food of the flamingos at certain times of year they are more abundant and therefore the population of these birds is larger.During rainier times the water of the lagoons become too sweet and therefore shelfish populations decline,and shorebirds also become scarce.The beach is very rocky.At high tide it's a nice place for snorkeling.
Elizabeth Bay, Isabela island
Elizabeth Bay is located on the east coast of Isabela Island. The bay contains many islets, which can be visited by dinghy. Penguins and blue-footed boobies can be spotted on the rocky islets. With an abundance of marine life and clear water, the area is perfect for snorkeling and viewing schools of colorful fish, sea lions, and perhaps even sharks.
Tagus Cove (Isabela)
Tagus Cove is located on Isabela Island in the Galápagos and is a natural harbor that once served as an anchorage for pirates and whalers in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today it is a popular stop for visitors to the archipelago, offering views of Darwin Volcano, hiking trails with striking volcanic landscapes, and a saltwater lagoon often frequented by flamingos and other birds. Along the cove, one can also see names of ships carved into the rocks, a reminder of its rich maritime history. The area is ideal for hiking, birdwatching, and exploring the volcanic scenery.
Post Office Bay (Floreana)
Post Office Bay on Floreana Island in the Galápagos is famous for a tradition that dates back to the 18th century. Sailors and whalers once left letters in a wooden barrel, which other travelers would collect and deliver to their destinations. This informal postal system continues today, with visitors leaving postcards and taking others with them to deliver, keeping a unique historical custom alive. Beyond this distinctive tradition, the bay also stands out for its natural beauty and the rich wildlife of the Galápagos.
Punta Cormorant (Floreana)
Punta Cormorant is located on Floreana Island in the Galápagos and is known for its unique beaches and rich wildlife. On one side lies a beach with greenish sand, colored by olivine crystals, while on the other there is a white coral beach where sea turtles often come to nest. The area also features a brackish lagoon that hosts colonies of flamingos along with various seabirds. It is one of Floreana’s most distinctive sites, ideal for birdwatching and exploring unique landscapes.
Santa Cruz Highlands
The Santa Cruz Highlands are located on Santa Cruz Island, one of the largest islands in the Galápagos archipelago of Ecuador. This is a lush, elevated region that stands in contrast to the drier coastal areas of the island. Visitors will find rich vegetation, farms, volcanic formations such as Los Gemelos (two large craters), and the natural habitat where the famous giant Galápagos tortoises roam freely. It is one of the most popular destinations for visitors to Santa Cruz, as it offers a very different landscape from the “typical” island scenery—cooler climate, green expanses, and unique wildlife. The area combines natural beauty, geological interest, and ecotourism, making it a key stop for anyone who wishes to experience the remarkable biodiversity of the Galápagos.
Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz)
The Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, located in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos, is one of the most important conservation and breeding facilities for giant tortoises. It was established to protect endangered species of the archipelago and has played a crucial role in their survival through breeding and reintroduction programs. Visitors can see tortoises at different stages of life, learn about the history of conservation in the Galápagos, and understand the importance of protecting this unique ecosystem. The center is named after Fausto Llerena, the caretaker who looked after the famous tortoise “Lonesome George” for decades.
Champion Islet (Floreana)
Champion Islet lies just off Floreana Island in the Galápagos, Ecuador, and is a small yet highly significant destination for nature enthusiasts. Uninhabited and strictly protected as part of the Galápagos National Park, it is renowned for its rare wildlife. The islet is most famous as the natural refuge of the “Champion finch” (Charles Darwin’s finch), a unique bird species found nowhere else in the world. Surrounding its shores, the crystal-clear waters host abundant marine life, including sea lions, dolphins, turtles, and a wide variety of fish, making it a popular spot for snorkeling and diving. Although tiny, Champion Islet stands as a living example of the Galápagos’ extraordinary biodiversity, offering visitors a rare chance to witness an ecosystem almost untouched by humans.
Isla Guy Fawkes, Colombia, South America
Guy Fawkes is a small uninhabited island in the Galápagos archipelago, off the coast of Ecuador in South America. It is renowned for its exceptional marine life and is a popular spot for diving and snorkeling, with waters full of rays, sea turtles, sharks, and a wide variety of colorful fish. Although small and without permanent residents, it attracts visitors who wish to experience the wild beauty and biodiversity of the Galápagos.
Buccaneer Cove, Santiago
Buccaneer Cove is a popular destination located on the northwestern coast of Santiago Island in the Galapagos Islands. It is named after the pirates who frequented the area in the 17th and 18th centuries. The cove is known for its rugged beauty, with towering cliffs, jagged rock formations, and crystal-clear waters. Visitors can enjoy a range of water activities, such as snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding, and observe the unique wildlife of the area, including sea turtles, sea lions, and a variety of fish and birds.
Bolivar Canal Cruising
Cruising the Bolívar Canal offers a distinctive experience in Venezuela, as this waterway serves as the passage separating Margarita Island from the mainland. The waters are generally calm, with beautiful coastal scenery, while along the route one can see fishing villages, tropical vegetation, and beaches that give travelers an authentic sense of the region. A transit through the Bolívar Canal is not only a practical maritime connection but also an opportunity to witness local life from the sea, in a destination that blends the tranquility of the landscape with the vibrancy of local culture.
Kicker Rock (San Cristobal)
Kicker Rock, also known as “León Dormido” (the “Sleeping Lion”), is a striking rock formation off San Cristóbal Island in the Galápagos. It consists of two vertical cliffs rising about 150 meters high, separated by a narrow channel of turquoise waters. It is a popular destination for diving and snorkeling, as the area is home to hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, rays, and a wide variety of tropical fish. Kicker Rock combines impressive geological features with a unique marine ecosystem, making it one of the most iconic sites of the Galápagos.
Punta Espinoza (Fernandina)
Punta Espinoza is a narrow stretch of land in Fernandina Island, where hundreds of marine iguanas gather in large groups on black lava rocks. The famous Flightless Cormorant inhabits this island, as well as galapagos penguins, pelicans, galapagos land iguanas, rice rats, and sea lions. Mangrove forests also abound on the island.
San Cristobal, Ecuador
San Cristobal is the easternmost island in the Galápagos archipelago, and one of the oldest geologically. Its name comes from the patron saint of seafarers, St. Christopher. "Kicker Rock" is a worth-visiting area that represents the remains of a lava cone. It is a magnificent island in the middle of the sea. For those who adore sea activities,the island offers an amazing snorkelling and diving experience. The sea life you see there is unbelievable! You will have the chance to experience swimming with sharks, turtles, dolphins and rays.
Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela
Isabela is the largest island of the Galapagos islands and Punta Vicente Roca is large,magnificent bay with amazing sea life. The whole place is a result of a volcanic eruption and that makes the scenery just beautiful. You will be amazed by the rare sea creatures that live here. Penguins, sea lions, sea turtles, cormorants and rare species of fish are very common here. The crystal blue waters are ideal for water sports such as scuba diving and snorkelling! It is certainly a paradise on earth and a nice chance to watch and get in touch with this special sea nature!
