Almost a thousand kilometers off the coast of Ecuador, in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, there is a paradise of crystal clear waters and unspoiled nature that awaits you with open arms. You are welcome to the Galapagos Islands, where the ecosystem is scrupulously preserved so that tourists can fully enjoy the local beauties. Today we will take you to discover some of the best islands in the Galapagos!
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is one of the reference islands for tourism in the Galapagos. Partly because it is truly amazing and partly because from here you can reach many other nearby islands such as Baltra, Seymour, Santa Fe, Isabela and Rabida. If you want to see the wild life of the Galapagos then you must come and go on one of the Santa Cruz tours or excursions. Take a trip to Tortuga Bay, a strip of white sand lined with dense vegetation.
Here you can admire the iguanas sunbathing, and if you head further to Playa Mansa you will also find the perfect place to swim with the whole family, including children. Do you like swimming? Don’t miss Garrapatero, 30 minutes from Puerto Ayora. This fabulous beach is often populated by tourists who want to swim, Pink flamingos and iguanas.
Bartolomé
Located east of the island of Santiago, Bartolomé is perhaps one of the most intriguing destinations in the Galapagos. The island owes its name to a friend of the famous naturalist Charles Darwin, Bartholomew James Sullivan. Despite being no bigger than a square kilometer, Bartolomé is a magical place worth a visit, especially if you are a born hiker or a great photography enthusiast.
In Bartolomé you can admire the caldera of an extinct volcano that made it emerge: according to biologists, in fact, the island is the most recent in the entire archipelago, and is no more than one and a half million years old.
Seymour
Welcome to Seymour, one of the most beautiful islands for bird watching. Not far from Baltra, it is an island of volcanic origin, characterized by lava rock formations and low but lush vegetation. The name derives from the English nobleman Hugh Seymour. Covering an area of 2 square kilometers, Seymour is the natural habitat of countless wonderful birds such as the blue-footed booby, the swallow gull, the great frigate and the great frigate.
If the weather is nice, as soon as you arrive on the island, you will be greeted by a herd of sea lions lazily dozing in the sun on the rocks. There is a path that runs through Seymour in its entirety, allowing you to visit just about anything. Follow it to learn about the local flora and fauna: if you are lucky, you will make an observation with the spectacular turtles that inhabit the place.
South Plaza
Despite being one of the smaller islands of the Galapagos, if you go to South Plaza at certain times of the year you will come across one of the most colorful shows in the archipelago. Located east of Santa Cruz, it is a very small island with a maximum height of 13 meters. Formed from the lava that emerged from the ocean, South Plaza is famous for its biodiversity and the presence of many beautiful species of animals and flowers.
Come and admire the red-billed phaeton and the swallow gull. The island is also an ideal breeding ground for land and marine iguanas. Depending on the season, the Sesuvius turns from green to red, creating a beautiful landscape that can be photographed.
San Cristobal
San Cristobal is probably one of the most popular destinations for travelers who choose to travel to the Galapagos, alongside Isabella and Santa Cruz. Despite being popular, Cristobal is also the quietest of the three, with a laid-back vibe you definitely don’t expect. There are lots of things to do in San Cristobal.
For example, let’s start by exploring local marine life, such as swimming with sea lions or iguanas. It is also a great idea to try snorkeling with turtles.
If you prefer a more cultural holiday, you must take a trip to the San Cristobal Interpretation Center, a center specialized in the dissemination of local history and culture that will explain with photos, finds and videos everything there is to know about flora and fauna locals. The tour also highlights the role of man in this delicate natural balance.
Santiago
Santiago Island is located in the center of the Galapagos Islands, northwest of Santa Cruz. It is one of the largest islands, with a maximum height of 907 meters at the highest peak. Initially, the island was to be called James Island, in honor of the English King George II.
The history of Santiago is rich and fascinating: in the past, pirates used it as a gathering point to stock up on food, mainly feeding on turtles. Then, first in the 1920s and then in the 1960s, Santiago hosted a salt extraction plant. The people of the Galapagos also tried to colonize the island, always without success.
Santiago is practically uninhabited until today. The coast of undisputed lava origin is a paradise that can be admired with an umbrella and a towel to spread on the soft sand.
