Off the coast of Ecuador, scattered along the Equator, lie one of the most famous islands in natural history. The Galapagos Islands, an archipelago of volcanic islands 906 kilometers west of Ecuador, was made famous by Charles Darwin, who spent years recording the animals living on the islands. These days, the Galapagos Islands have become a favorite destination for travelers who enjoy wildlife. Various species of mammals, reptiles, and birds live on the Galapagos Islands, with each island containing distinctive species. Leafcanoer, Daijie, recently shared her experience exploring the Galapagos Islands in her leaf titled, “Explore Southern Islands of Galapagos On Boat”.
As many travelers to the Galapagos Islands can attest, there are many great locations to visit on a trip to the Galapagos Islands. Below is a list of ten places that are perfect for exploring the Galapagos Islands.
North Seymour Island
With an area of 1.9 square kilometers, North Seymour Island is relatively small, but is a great place to see birds. In particular, this island is home to the blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls, as well as frigatebirds. You can also see sea lions, who love to spend their time lounging around the island.
Tortuga Bay
Located on the island of Santa Cruz, Tortuga Bay is famous for its white sand beaches. Popular activities to do in this area include surfing on the beach or snorkeling around the nearby lagoons.
Las Loberias
Las Loberias is also a popular spot to see sea lions. On the island of San Cristobal, Las Loberias reportedly has some of the best snorkeling in the Galapoagos Islands.
Charles Darwin Research Station
For those interested in biological research, the Charles Darwin Research Station is an excellent place to start that exploration. Operated by the Charles Darwin Foundation, the research station continues to engage in scientific research and environmental education.
Las Tintoreras
Another popular snorkeling location is Las Tintoreras. Here, snorkelers can see and swim with Galapagos penguins, blue-footed boobies, and even sea turtles.
Sierra Negra
A large shield volcano located at the southern part of Isabela island, Sierra Negra is a well-visited destination for travelers to the Galapagos Islands. Even though Sierra Negra is an active volcano, guided tours are continually offered on a regular basis.
Cerro Bruijo
The beach at Cerro Bruijo is considered to be one of the nicest beaches in the Galapagos Islands. Like other parts of the islands, snorkeling is a common activity at Cerro Bruijo, and behind the beach is a lagoon where visitors can find egrets and blue herons.
Campo Duro
A safari camp located near Sierra Negra, Campo Duro focuses on eco-tourism and conservation. Campo Duro is also a nice place to see giant tortoises, who have a preserve located nearby.
Las Grietas
In Spanish, the word “grieta” means crevasse or crack. A popular activity to do at Las Grietas is to go swimming in the cool ocean water, surrounded by the tall cliffs of the island.
Leon Dormido
One of the most prominent landmarks in the Galapagos Islands is Leon Dormido, known as Kicker Rock in English. Leon Dormido consists of volcanic rocks formed into tall towers. It is located off the coast of Isla de San Cristobal.
These ten places for exploring the Galapagos Islands are an excellent starting off point for your own adventure in the Galapagos Islands. For more ideas of what to explore, read more of the “Explore Southern Islands of Galapagos on Boat” leaf. You can also download the LeafCanoe app to check out more travel ideas.