The Galapagos Islands

Plaza Sur (South Plaza)

One of a pair of small uplifted islands lying just off the eastern end of Santa Cruz, South Plaza has a unique sesuvium and opuntia landscape which provides some of the most interesting wildlife observation in the archipelago. Land iguanas are easily spotted resting in the shade of cactus bushes beside the trail, swallow-tailed gulls, which nest on the rugged southern cliffs of the island, are commonly seen, and the rocky seashore is prime habitat for a large and noisy colony of sea lions.

Principal attractions: sesuvium, land iguanas, sea lions
Other attractions: opuntia cactus, pelicans, frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls, Audubon’s shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds

Santiago (James)

Site: Bahía Sullivan (Sullivan Bay)
This site offers a unique opportunity to observe a recent lava flow, together with all its attendant structural characteristics. Typical of the barren, volcanic landscape of eastern James Island, this area is composed of relatively flat, black pahoehoe lava, dotted with a series of pyroclastic cones which were engulfed by the lava as it flowed toward the sea. Tiny, fragile mollugo plants can be spotted growing out of the fissures as they begin to colonize the arid and barren terrain.

Site: Bahía James (James Bay)
Hundreds of marine birds rest on the cliffs and pinnacles of this narrow spit of land off the western end of James Island. While admiring the natural beauty of this area, it is worth remembering that pirates used this site for maintaining their ships and for supplies of fresh water, meat and firewood during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Rabida (Jervis)

Behind the picturesque beach on this small island lies a salt-water lagoon where flamingos are often seen. A side trail offers a view of the island’s interior and the nearby cliffs serve as roosting sites for several species of seabirds. San Cristobal (Chatham)

Site: El Junco Lagoon
Located high in the island at an altitude of 700 metres, this lagoon is one of the few permanent bodies of fresh water in the Archipelago. The lake and its surroundings are typical of San Cristobal’s humid zone and form a beautiful landscape. Principal attractions: landscape, white-cheeked pintail ducks, common gallinules Other attractions: miconia bushes, endemic tree ferns

Site: Kicker Rock
A magnificent rock in the middle of the sea which has the shape of a sleeping lion. The rock is divided into two parts by a narrow channel which small boats are able to negotiate.

Site: Isla Lobos
Only an hour away by boat from Puerto Baqeurizo Moreno, this small island is separated from the main island by a narrow stretch of calm water. Upon its rocky shores, blue-footed boobies nest (in season) and sea lions rest and play. The atmosphere is one of tranquillity and scenic primitive beauty, in which the visitor can fully enjoy a typical Galapagos environment.

Principal attractions: sea lions, blue-footed boobies
Other attractions: landscape, lava lizards

Santa Cruz (Indefatigable)

Site: The Highlands
The highlands of Santa Cruz provide the best example of the miconia zone and the pampa zone (low vegetation) which typify the high areas of all the islands. The ‘twins’, an extraordinary pair of deep volcanic caldera, are one of the main attractions of this region, and there are wonderful panoramic views of rolling hills and extinct volcanic cones.

Principal attractions: the ‘twins’, typical humid zone vegetation, miconia bushes, scalesia trees
Other attractions: pampa (fern-sedge zone), extinct volcanic cones, vermilion flycatchers

Site: Charles Darwin Research Station
Although the great majority of Galapagos visitors come to observe and appreciate the area’s natural wonders, it is also interesting to learn how the protection and conservation of the islands is carried out. A visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station will increase one’s understanding of the work being done and stress the importance of maintaining the islands’ ecosystems, and the endangered species which comprise them, in their natural state so that future generations may enjoy them for many years to come.

Principal attractions: adult Galapagos tortoises in captivity, centre for raising young tortoises, Van Straelen Exhibit Hall

Site: Caleta Tortuga (Turtle Cove)
This impressive marine site consists of a deep maze of tranquil sea water inlets surrounded by mangrove thickets. The still and murky waters of the cove are a favourite resting (and mating) place for marine turtles, rays and small sharks.

Santa Fe (Barrington)

The small bay on Santa Fe’s north-east coast is an extremely picturesque anchorage and there is a choice of two trails available. One leads to a scenic clifftop viewpoint and an area where a species of land iguana endemic to the island can sometimes be seen; the other to an unusually tall forest of prickly pear cactus.

Principal attractions: forest of opuntia cactus, land iguanas
Other attractions: snorkelling off the beach, sea lions

Seymour Norte (North Seymour)

Located slightly to the north of Baltra, North Seymour is a low, flat island formed by the uplift of a sub-marine lava formation. It is covered with scrub and bush vegetation and contains the largest colony of magnificent frigate birds in the Galapagos. There is also a large population of blue-footed boobies when nesting conditions are right.

Principal attractions: magnificent frigate birds, blue-footed boobies
Other attractions: endemic palo santo, sea lions, fur seals (occasional), swallow-tailed gulls, brown noddies, mockingbirds