── the archipelago

The Galapagos islands

Thirteen main islands, each with its own ecology and character. Use the map to explore visitor sites, signature wildlife, and the best time to go — then read the in-depth guide before you book.

── island guides

Every island, in depth

Each guide covers the visitor sites, the wildlife calendar, snorkelling and diving conditions, and the practical details — written by people who have actually been there.

Central

Santa Cruz

The inhabited hub of the archipelago and home to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise highlands.

Giant tortoise Marine iguana Lava lizard Darwin’s finches

› Charles Darwin Research Station
› Tortuga Bay
› The highlands (tortoise reserve)
+ 2 more sites

Best time: Year-round

Read the Santa Cruz guide

Eastern

San Cristóbal

The easternmost island, known for its sea lion colonies and the iconic Kicker Rock dive and snorkel site.

Galápagos sea lion Red-footed booby Frigatebird Marine iguana

› Kicker Rock (León Dormido)
› La Lobería
› Punta Pitt
+ 2 more sites

Best time: Year-round

Read the San Cristóbal guide

Western

Isabela

The largest island, formed by six volcanoes, with the richest cold-water marine life in the west.

Galápagos penguin Flightless cormorant Marine iguana Giant tortoise

› Sierra Negra volcano
› Los Túneles
› Las Tintoreras
+ 2 more sites

Best time: Cool/dry season (Jun–Nov) for penguins & marine life

Read the Isabela guide

Western

Fernandina

The youngest and most volcanically active island, and one of the most pristine — no introduced species.

Marine iguana (largest colonies) Flightless cormorant Galápagos penguin Galápagos hawk

› Punta Espinoza
› La Cumbre volcano

Best time: Cool/dry season (Jun–Nov)

Read the Fernandina guide

Southern

Española

The oldest island and the only nesting site of the waved albatross, with dramatic Punta Suárez seabird colonies.

Waved albatross Blue-footed booby Nazca booby Española marine iguana (colourful)

› Punta Suárez
› Gardner Bay
› The blowhole

Best time: Apr–Dec for the waved albatross

Read the Española guide

Northern

Genovesa

Remote "Bird Island" — a sunken caldera that is one of the great seabird sites on Earth.

Red-footed booby Nazca booby Great frigatebird Short-eared owl Storm petrels

› Darwin Bay
› Prince Philip’s Steps (El Barranco)

Best time: Year-round

Read the Genovesa guide

Central

Bartolomé

A small volcanic island whose Pinnacle Rock is the archipelago’s most photographed landmark.

Galápagos penguin White-tipped reef shark Sea turtle

› Pinnacle Rock
› The summit viewpoint
› The beach (penguins)

Best time: Year-round

Read the Bartolomé guide

Southern

Floreana

Steeped in human history, from the wooden Post Office Bay barrel to its flamingo lagoon.

Greater flamingo Green sea turtle Sea lion Reef fish

› Post Office Bay
› Punta Cormorant
› Devil’s Crown
+ 1 more site

Best time: Year-round

Read the Floreana guide

Central

Santa Fe

Home to the endemic Santa Fe land iguana and a sheltered turquoise bay with a large sea lion colony.

Santa Fe land iguana Galápagos sea lion Galápagos hawk

› Santa Fe Bay
› The Opuntia cactus forest trail

Best time: Year-round

Read the Santa Fe guide

Far North

Wolf

A remote, liveaboard-only dive site famous for huge schools of hammerhead sharks and whale sharks.

Scalloped hammerhead Whale shark Galápagos shark Silky shark

› Liveaboard dive sites only (no land visits)

Best time: Jun–Nov for whale sharks

Read the Wolf guide

Far North

Darwin

The northernmost island and a bucket-list, liveaboard-only dive — among the best shark diving on the planet.

Whale shark Scalloped hammerhead Galápagos shark Dolphins

› Darwin’s Arch area (liveaboard dive only)

Best time: Jun–Nov for whale sharks

Read the Darwin guide

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