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Galapagos wildlife map & highlights

There are around 20 islands in the Galápagos archipelago that are significant to wildlife watchers and small boat cruises will be able to hop from one to the next or observe life at sea. Land based animal lovers won’t be tied by the tides, however. Find out more by checking out our Galápagos wildlife vacations map and highlights that offer every excuse to explore around 1,000 klicks west of Ecuador.

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GALÁPAGOS WILDLIFE MAP & HIGHLIGHTS

The Galápagos could traditionally only be toured by boat, but a growing number of hotels, plus inland and coastal camping options, are opening up new – and ultimately more affordable – ways to see the islands. Tours last from three to 14 nights, though seven is optimum for seeing the main Galápagos wildlife highlights without spending too much time at sea. The eastern islands are more commonly visited than the less accessible western ones, while the far-flung northern and southern islets tend to be reserved for birders and divers. Don’t make the mistake of thinking all the islands are the same; they vary wildly in geography and biology, so do your research to plan your perfect tour.

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Our Galapagos wildlife Vacations

1. Galápagos penguins
2. Charles Darwin Research station
3. Española (Hood) Island
4. Floreana (Charles) Island
5. Nazca & red-footed boobies
6. Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre
7. Isabela (Albermarle) Island
8. Snorkelling at Los Túneles
9. Puerto Ayora
10. Blue-footed boobies
11. Santa Cruz Island
12. Tintoreras Islets

Galápagos penguins

1. Galápagos penguins

Bartolomé is one of the few habitats for the Galápagos penguin – the only penguin species to live above the equator. The island is just over a square kilometre and is covered in vivid volcanic formations – the most famous of which is Pinnacle Rock. Climb to its 114m summit for phenomenal views of the eastern isles, and swim around its base with the penguins.

Galápagos penguins

Charles Darwin Research station

2. Charles Darwin Research station

The conservation of the islands’ unique and rare species is centerd on this research station, where giant tortoises, land iguanas and endemic plants are bred for research and reintroduction. The exhibits and concrete enclosures seem rather dry in comparison to the Galápagos’ main attractions, so come at the beginning of your trip to set the scene for what you are about to experience.

Española (Hood) Island

3. Española (Hood) Island

The archipelago’s southernmost island is also one of its oldest, at almost 4 million years. Despite its diminutive size, it contains a phenomenal variety of wildlife – even by Galápagos standards. Sights include heaps of snoozing red and turquoise splashed marine iguanas, as well as the “albatross airport”, where these enormous birds line up to launch themselves off the cliff.

Española (Hood) Island

Floreana (Charles) Island

4. Floreana (Charles) Island

One of the first islands to be inhabited, Floreana offers a unique glimpse at the human stories of the Galápagos. Baronesses, pirates, murders and disappearances have all shaped the island’s history, and descendants of the pioneer families continue to live here today. You can also snorkel with sea lions, penguins, rays and reef fish, and visit a giant tortoise reserve.

Nazca & red-footed boobies

5. Nazca & red-footed boobies

Remote Genovesa Island, the remains of a collapsed caldera, is known as Bird Island thanks to the huge numbers of Nazca and red-footed boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, mockingbirds and more which nest here. Hikes take you up to a forest-crowned plateau, or across into powdery sand beaches and mangroves. This is one of the best spots for snorkelling with hammerhead sharks.

Nazca & red-footed boobies

Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre

6. Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre

Almost 1,000 tortoises live in this center, and you can see them in all stages of development as they remain here until they are large enough to survive in the wild alone. While the islands generally each have one native tortoise species, Isabela has five, as a result of habitats being divided by the island’s many volcanoes.

Isabela (Albermarle) Island

7. Isabela (Albermarle) Island

The largest island in the Galápagos is also one of its youngest – and it is still being formed, thanks to its six active volcanoes – which make it the second most volcanically active place in the world. Lush, flamingo-filled mangroves line the coast, along with Sally Lightfoot crabs, penguins, marine iguanas and flightless cormorants. Hike across eerie, barren lava fields and up the volcanoes.

Isabela (Albermarle) Island

Snorkelling at Los Túneles

8. Snorkelling at Los Túneles

Snorkelling at Los Túneles, an hour’s boat ride from Puerto Villamil, has been described as snorkelling in an aquarium. This maze of lava tubes, which flowed from two volcanoes into the ocean, hides schools of colourful angelfish, sea turtles, manta rays and harmless sharks. It’s not a cheap add-on, but it’s a real highlight for many visitors, and unlike anywhere else you’re likely to see.

Puerto Ayora

9. Puerto Ayora

With around 12,000 residents, Puerto Ayora is the ‘urban center’ of the Galápagos. If opting for a land-based tour, you’re likely to find yourself staying here, and mingling with tourists and locals in the town’s many markets, gift shops, restaurants and bars. A 40-minute hike through a dry, prickly pear forest takes you to Tortuga Bay – one of the archipelago’s finest beaches.

Puerto Ayora

Blue-footed boobies

10. Blue-footed boobies

The easternmost and oldest island, San Cristóbal, is a great spot for watching blue and red-footed boobies wobble from leg to leg, and striking frigate birds inflating their scarlet air sacks. It has one of the Galápagos’ two airports, as well as the Galapaguera tortoise breeding ground, numerous surf spots and a freshwater lake sitting in a 600m high crater.

Santa Cruz Island

11. Santa Cruz Island

The Galápagos’ tourism hub contains its largest town as well as the Research Station, and is close to the Baltra airport. You can still escape the modern world here though – in the wildlife-filled mangroves, as well as idyllic Tortuga Bay, a short walk from the town. Ancient, giant tortoises roam the highlands – and birders should keep an eye out for the vermilion flycatcher.

Santa Cruz Island

Tintoreras Islets

12. Tintoreras Islets

These lava-smothered islands are crawling with marine iguanas, thanks to a lack of non-native predators. Hikes across the surreal landscape and mangrove swamps are usually followed by snorkelling expeditions into the lava tunnels to look for giant rays, puffer fish, sea lions and the elusive white-tipped sharks which gives the island its name.

Travel Team

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GALÁPAGOS TRAVEL TIMES

The following times give you a rough idea of the cruising times between the main Galápagos highlights, and the flight time from mainland Ecuador.

Santa Cruz - Floreana = 2hrs by boat Santa Cruz - Isabela = 2hrs by boat Floreana - Isabela = 2hrs by boat Baltra - Santa Cruz = 10 mins by boat Guayaquil (mainland Ecuador) - Galápagos = 1hr 30 mins by plane

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Written by Chris Owen

ABTA member P7085 so you are fully protected

Photo credits: [Page banner: pantxorama] [Bartolome island: Aaron Logan] [Darwin research center: Triiiple Threat] [Espanola Island: Patty Ho] [Floreana Island: A.Davey] [Red-footed boobies: Brian Gratwicke] [Giant tortoises: Michael R Perry] [Isabela Island: Dallas Krentzel] [Los Tuneles: Thomas BONNIN] [Puerto Ayora: Dallas Krentzel] [Blue-footed boobie: Vince Smith] [Santa Cruz Island: claumoho] [Tintoreras Islets: queulat00]

Galapagos wildlife map & highlights