Travel Galapagos Islands, information on Galapagos travel, Galapagos cruises, Galapagos tours, galapagos diving and island hopping.

The history of Santa Cruz is similar to that of the other inhabited islands of the archipelago. The islands were officially discovered on March 10^th of 1535 by Tomas de Berlanga, Bishop of Panama. They were later used by buccaneers and whalers until the Ecuadorian Government took possession of the islands in 1832. However, the colonization of Santa Cruz is recent. This is probable due to the inhospitable conditions that the island offered to its prospective inhabitants. An attempt to colonize the island was made in 1932 by a group of Norwegians who established in the highlands. After this date, other settlers came from different parts of Ecuador as well as from Germany, England, and Switzerland and by the early 1970´s the tourism industry started to prosper in Santa Cruz.

Highlights

Santa Rosa and El Chato

In this sector, located 30 minutes from Puerto Ayora, you will find Galapagos tortoises in their natural environment, while taking a walk or riding a horse. Plus you can’t miss the lava tunnels, amazing natural monuments, forged by the rivers of lava that left in their passage some fascinating geological formations of great length and size.

Los Gemelos

These are two volcanic craters that where formed from a mechanical sinking of the flora. They are surrounded by vegetation that includes orchids and ferns.

Isla Seymour Norte

Located north from Santa Cruz, approximately an hour away from Puerto Ayora. In this island you will find a big population of blue footed boobies, seagulls, frigates and iguanas.

Activities:

- Snorkeling

- Diving

Garrapatero

White beach sand, where you can find iguanas and do some snorkeling. Some small leftovers of volcanic rock may be found on the beaches.

Activities:

- Snorkel

Punta Estrada y Lobería

Punta Estrada is 15 minutes away from the port. It is a small coral reef where you can find sharks, sea lions, and turtles. Loberia is a small island, 10 minutes away from the port, where a great population of sea lions found a place to rest.

Activities:

-  Snorkeling

-  Diving

Tortuga Bay

It is a white sand beach only a 45 minute walk from Puerto Ayora. One of the most visited because of its crystal clear waters on the side of Mansa (calm) beach, perfect for snorkeling; and for the excellent waves on the side of Brava (furious) beach. You will also find iguanas and tropical dry forest, endemic to Galapagos.

Activities:

- Snorkeling

Foundation and station, Charles Darwin

The Charles Darwin foundation for the Galapagos Islands (FCD) is an international organisation, with the purpose of providing scientific investigation, assistance and technical information, to ensure the conservation of the Islands.

Here you will find a center for raising giant tortoises and iguanas. The most famous inhabitant of this center is “el solitario Jorge” (the lonesome Jorge), name given to the last know specimen of the Geochelone Nigra Abingdonii species, a subspecies of the Galapagos Tortoise, native of the Islands.

Plaza Sur

This island is located east from Santa Cruz, 30 minutes away of puerto Ayora. The flora of Plaza Sur includes cactus Opuntia and Sesuvium, which form a red carpet over the lava formations. Iguanas are found at every step as well as a variety of birds that inhabit the rock walls on the south end of the beach, including tropical birds and seagulls.

Activities:

-  Snorkeling

-  Diving

Isabela Island is the largest in Galapagos with an area of 4,580 Km2. It is also one of the four inhabited Islands in Galapagos, the other three inhabited Islands are Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, and Floreana.

Isabela is the result of six large volcanic domes combined together. Wolf volcano is located here with an altitude of 1,700 mts. and is the highest point in the Galapagos Islands. You can find on this Island a large number of Galapagos tortoises.

Highlights

Sierra Negra Volcano

Last erupted in October 2005, boasts the world’s second largest volcanic crater and can be viewed either by hiking or on horseback.

Las Tintoreras

Is a marvelous location, where you can spot White – tipped reef sharks, penguins as you stroll along the National Park trail.

The wetlands in Isabela

It is considered one of the largest in the world. They offer 6 km. network of paths where you can observe different species such as flamingos, Galapagos Pintail ducks and fish in their natural habitat which inhabit this ecosystem.

Concha de Perla

Here you can explore the abundant submarine world, including sea lions, manta rays, and marine turtles.

The Giant Tortoise Breeding Center

Was developed in order to protect and recover the wild population of tortoises from the different volcanoes of this large island. Furthermore it is also an Interpretation Centre which should not be missed.

Puerto Villamil

Is the last natural Paradise of the Galapagos Archipelago. Sandy streets and swaying palm trees will allow you to relax completely and enjoy the peace and harmony of the islands spectacular nature.

The fifth largest of the Galapagos Islands in terms of size, Isla San Cristobal has the second largest human settlement of this volcanic island chain. Also known as Chatham Island, Isla San Cristobal is important because it is home to the provincial capital of the Galapagos, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

Home to quite a few endemic wildlife species, this island’s claim to fame is that there is a lot to see and do here. With spectacular landscapes, San Cristobal has the only freshwater lagoon in the Galapagos. El Junco lagoon sits in the highlands about 700m above sea level. A rain filled crater around 6m deep, there are a lot of endemic trees and ferns surrounding the lake, making the views from here quite breathtaking, with some exceptional bird watching opportunities.

Highlights

Cerro of earwigs:
Its located at 2 km from the Interpretation Center, you can see the beautiful frigate and Wreck Bay and the city. Great for swimming and snorkeling practice.

Laguna El Junco:
Located a half hour drive east of Puerto Baquerizo, a freshwater lagoon which is located at 700m unique throughout the archipelago, there is also a wonderful view to the coast.

Isla Lobos:
Island located a half hour boat ride northeast of Puerto Baquerizo is known exactly for what the name suggests. Here you find a large amount of sea lions.

Leon Dormido:
Located two hours by boat to the northeast of the port, also known as Kicker Rock, this rock is not possible to access shows a landscape ideal for special photographs.

Caleta Sappho:
Mangroves can be seen here in all its glory

La Galapaguera Natural:
Located on the north side of the island, here you can see giant tortoises living freely.

Punta Pitt:
Farther northeast you will find the tip of a volcano known as Punta Pitt. As you approach this marvelous site you can observe numerous species of birds flying over the sea in seach for food. Some of the species you will see are: blue-footed boobie, masked boobie, frigate, among others

This is the smallest and least populated island of the Archipelago. It populates only around 100 habitants. This fascinating island was the one in which the famous whale hunters and pirates left their letters and messages for the next explorers.

The Island continues to be one of the most famous and isolated in the world and is known to maintain the fantasy in which its famous legends and mystery can still be felt in the air.

Highlights

Punta Cormorant

Found west of Floreana, Punta Cormorant has a beautiful dark green beach due the large quantitites of Olivino crystals which adorn it.

At the extremes of the rocks and between them you can see lots of crabs, marine iguanas and sea lions. On the outskirts of a beautiful crater above the Palo Santo trees, you can see frigate birds and pelicans.

Devils Crown

This was once a satellite islet of Floreana Island. Today it is just a circle of rocks that looks like a crown due to the constant erosion from the sea.

It ia considered one of the best places for snorkeling and diving in both the interior and exterior of the crown because of the great variety of fishes of all shapes, sizes and colors which are all found under the crystal clear water. It is also an excellent place to see whilst navigating around its exterior by boat.

Flamingo Lagoon

A salt water lagoon fed by the sea where flamingos, ducks, waders and other migratory birds come to nest. The lagoon is surrounded by mangroves and other plants that are unique on this island.

Post Office

Found on the north side of the island, its name originates in 1793 when Captain James Colnett placed a mailbox to serve as a post office for the whalers that frequented the Galapagos Islands for some time.

Today visitors use the same post office to maintain the tradition.

Asilo de la Paz

This is a Hill, 450m high, which allows for excellent views of the island.

Its principal attractions are part of the story of Floreana, one is a cave used by pirates and the other is a fresh water well. Both sites are found at the base of the hill.

This cave is known to be the origin to the stories of where the first colonizers of the island took place.