Main Islands
Fernandina | Isabela | Santiago | Santa Cruz
click on map for enlarged view
Fernandina Island
The further west you travel in the Galapagos Islands, the younger in geological terms and more volcanically active become the islands. The visitor site is reached by a dry landing which is surrounded by mangroves. The area of the site is mainly black lava and dark grey sand. The lava is host to many clumps of lava cactus and there are a number of tidal rock pools in which turtles can often be seen.
There is an extremely large colony of marine iguanas and it is occasionally difficult to walk along without the risk of treading on them. On the shoreline are Sally Lightfoot crabs and sea-lions. Sally Lightfoot crabs are found in abundance on Fernandina and most other places in the Galapagos. They are difficult to miss with their very vivid colouring. Birds present include the flightless cormorant, pelicans, oystercatchers and blue herons and the yellow warbler.
Isabela Island
Here there is an opportunity to see penguins as well as marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs and sea lions. As with many sites blue footed boobies are in abundance.
After a dry landing one, can climb up the trail to oversee Darwin's Lake. This is below the slopes of Darwin Volcano and is, surprisingly, a salt water lake above sea level. It is said that the salt water is drawn up from below by adsorption through the porous volcanic rock of which this part of the island is formed. he waters of the bay are a good place to see turtles and rays and ashore is a short trail leading to a coral reef, which is evidence of an uplift from the sea which occurred in 1954. Marine iguanas, flightless cormorants and pelicans can be seen at this site. offer an excellent opportunity to see penguins. The end of the bay is notable for three species of mangroves, and rays and turtles can be found in the waters. It has five active volcanoes, Wolf, Darwin, Alcedo, Santa Tomas and Cerro Azul.
Santiago Island
This is long golden beach behind which are mangroves and saltwater lagoons. Turtles nest on the beach but the feral pigs eat many of the eggs and so breeding levels are low. One of the main features are the tidal pools which are populated by fur seals and Sally Lightfoot crabs. Birds include the Galapagos dove and Galapagos hawk, oyster catchers and night herons. As well as the tidal pools the beach has eroded low cliffs which have formed into interesting shapes. The lagoons are host to both vermillion and broad-billed flycatchers, and many of the species of Darwin finches.
Santa Cruz Island
Here it is possible to go with a guide and see giant tortoises in the wild. A trip starts from the settlement of Santa Rosa, about 3 km to the north of the reserve. Many land birds can also be seen.There are a number of other coastal sites around the island where turtles, pelicans, marine iguanas, herons and many other species can be seen. These are two large craters in the middle of the island, either side of the one road crossing the island. They are the remains of volcanic magma chambers which collapsed and the vertical sides are now covered with vegetation. Although many native plants have been overtaken by introduced species there are, nevertheless, many Scalesia trees. Vermillion flycatchers can be seen here, as well as the woodpecker finch and short eared owls.
Fernandina | Isabela | Santiago | Santa Cruz