Prepare for an adventure-filled exploration through the Galapagos Islands on this beautiful island. During World War II, the island’s airport was a US Military base protecting the Panama Canal from enemy attack. Surrounding the airport now you will see land iguanas indigenous to the island.

Only 525 feet wide and less than a half a mile long, Mosquera Islet may be tiny, but it’s home to the one of the largest sea lion populations in the Galapagos. This narrow sandy expanse is situated in the channel between Baltra and North Seymour Island and offers a perfect opportunity for sea lion watching. Step ashore and you’re sure to see a sea lion or 10, basking in the sun or frolicking in the water nearby. They’re a playful bunch and very entertaining to watch. Just don’t get too close. The males can be aggressive if they think you’re encroaching on their territory. Just offshore, you might catch a glimpse of an orca pod. They often cruise the area looking for snacks, which can sometimes include sea lions.

Dragon Hill (Santa Cruz)
Dragon Hill, or “Cerro Dragon,” is named after its population of land iguanas. The site offers a beautiful view of the landscape and two small brackish lagoons where flamingos and other shore birds occasionally feed. Along the trail, we’ll cross a beautiful “white forest” of Palo Santo (incense) trees and Galapagos cotton plants. Excursion options include a high-intensity hike with swimming/snorkeling at the beach, high intensity snorkeling from a zodiac followed by a short walk and a low-intensity Zodiac ride along the coastline with optional dry landing for animal observation

The landscapes of this small island are visually stunning. It’s the top of an old volcanic cone bathed in crimson. The rocks and sand are hued brilliant red and sit amid coves of clear aqua blue water. A short hike up a steep hill provides for several spectacular overlooks, while you search the high cactus for finches and other birds. A Zodiac ride along the coast is also an option, as guests look for sea lions, fur seals, and birds. A brackish lagoon just behind the landing site sometimes provides an extraordinary opportunity?to get up close and personal with flamingos—a photographer’s dream, when it happens. A swim off the beach or snorkel along the shore afterwards is just the way to end the day.

About one million years ago, six volcanoes (five of which are still active) coalesced to form seahorse-shaped Isabela, the largest of the Galapagos Islands. At 1,790 square miles, it’s larger than all of the other islands combined, and, because it’s located on the western edge of the archipelago near the Galápagos hotspot, it’s one the world’s most volcanically active places. While many of the Galapagos islands are home to wildlife only, Isabela had a robust population of 1,749 in the 2006 census. From Tagus Cove on the northwestern side (which sheltered whalers, pirates, and buccaneers in days of old) to the laid-back resort town of Puerto Villamil at its southern tip, the island offers visitors a dazzling variety of terrains, wildlife and experiences. The Cromwell Current hits the base of Isabela’s west coast, causing nutrient-rich water to up well creating the perfect feeding environment for ground for fish, whales, dolphins, and birds. Because 16 species of whales have been identified in the area (including humpbacks, sperms, sei, minkes and orcas), it’s regarded as the best place to see whales in the Galapagos. As is often the case in the region, animal species abound. Visitors can hope to see penguins, cormorants, marine iguanas, boobies, pelicans, Sally Lightfoot crabs, Galápagos land iguanas, Darwin’s finches, Galápagos hawks, and Galápagos doves. There are many and varied ways to encounter wildlife on Isabela: at Moreno Point, near Elizabeth Bay on the west coast, visitors traverse a lava path to find pools at which a wide variety of birds feed. Vicente Roca Point offers some of the most dramatic landscapes in the Galapagos and the opportunity to see the remains of Ecuador Volcano

Floreana Island was once a penal colony for Ecuador, the first capital of the Galapagos and where Charles Darwin met the viceroy of Galapagos. Your excursion options include a medium-intensity wet landing at Cormorant Point (or Punta Cormorant), where you may see two plant species found only at this particular site, as well as flamingos, stilts and whit cheeked pintail ducks. Or try advanced snorkeling in Devil’s Crown Volcanic Cone to spy grunts, groupers, chubs, spotted eagle rays, white-tipped reed sharks, sea stars, parrotfish and rainbow wrasse.

Another stop on San Cristobal Island brings the opportunity to explore a fascinating geologic landscape, beach, and satellite volcanic cone. Zodiac rides along the shore bring you to a huge natural cutout that makes for a unique photo opportunity and then swings into a natural cathedral of towering rocks that is nothing less than astonishing. Along the way crabs and shorebirds dot the volcanic landscape. Afterwards, you are brought to a fine white sand beach for a short walk and/or swim amidst a colony of sea lions. A sunset circumnavigation around the spectacular eroded volcanic cone of Kicker Rock is the perfect way to end the day.

Off the northwest coast of San Cristobal lies Kicker Rock, where thousands of years ago a volcanic eruption left behind enormous vertical rock faces that rise nearly 500 feet from the ocean. There are actually two volcanic rocks here, with a channel between where small boats can navigate. Nicknamed Sleeping Lion because of its shape, Kicker Rock is an important ecological monument as it’s home to many species of nesting birds including frigates and blue-footed boobies. It’s also magnificent for snorkeling as tropical fish are abundant and the water is crystal clear.

Named after its large colony of sea lions, this island usually allows visitors to observe sea lion pups, especially while snorkeling. In addition, we may see blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and even a glimpse at the second type of sea lion species found in Galapagos: The Fur Sea Lion. It is a seasonal nesting location for blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds.

A fifteen-minute stroll from one end to the other along Charles Darwin Avenue promises plenty of sights and sounds in this, the largest city of the Galapagos Islands. A charming seaside town, Puerto Ayora features Ecuadorian and international cuisine, local artisans and shopping as well as snorkeling and scuba diving.

Among the many sights of Isla Espanola is Punta Suarez, a rocky point of land where guests may observe various colonies of sea birds as well as fauna found nowhere else on the planet. Also on this island is Bahia Gardner, a beautiful beach offering an excellent opportunity to relax and swim.

Gardner Bay on Espanola’s northern side hosts one of the longest beaches in the Galapagos, and a beautiful way to start the day. During a morning walk along a soft white sand beach, you’ll visit a sea lion colony, look for pups playing in shallow water pools, and search for the startlingly red Sally Lightfoot crabs, shorebirds, and marine iguanas. Afterwards, go for a swim, snorkel or just relax on the sparkling white sand.

The cliff shore of the island is home for sea lions, pelicans, blue footed boobies and tropic bird. In addition, large schools of fish can be observed from the zodiac rides.

Prepare for an adventure-filled exploration through the Galapagos Islands on this beautiful island. During World War II, the island’s airport was a US Military base protecting the Panama Canal from enemy attack. Surrounding the airport now you will see land iguanas indigenous to the island.