Suarez Point

One of the finest birdwatching sites in the archipelago. The trail crosses dramatic lava terrain to cliffs where waved albatross nest (in season), alongside blue-footed and Nazca boobies, Española mockingbirds, and a spectacular blowhole.

Gardner Bay

A long white-sand beach with a large, playful sea lion colony. Excellent for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking in turquoise water, with Darwin finches and mockingbirds along the shore.

Cormorant Point & Devil’s Crown

Visit a flamingo lagoon set between volcanic hills, plus the unusual Green Beach colored by olivine crystals. Then snorkel at Devil’s Crown, a sunken volcanic crater sheltering a rich coral reef with rays, reef fish, and sea turtles.

Post Office Bay & Asilo de la Paz

The historic 18th-century barrel post office where travelers still leave letters for hand delivery. Continue to Asilo de la Paz, an area of early human settlement with giant tortoise habitat and lush highland vegetation.

Fausto Llerena Breeding Center

At the Charles Darwin Research Station, see giant tortoises of all ages raised for repatriation, and the exhibit honoring Lonesome George, the last of his subspecies. Learn about decades of conservation work.

Highlands

Travel into the lush highlands to see giant tortoises roaming wild in their natural habitat. Visit lava tunnels formed by ancient flows and the Los Gemelos pit craters surrounded by Scalesia forest.

Sierra Negra Volcano or Las Tintoreras

Hike to the rim of Sierra Negra, one of the largest volcanic calderas in the world, with sweeping views. Alternatively, visit Las Tintoreras, a marine reserve where white-tipped reef sharks rest in lava channels alongside sea lions and marine iguanas.

Wetlands & Tortoise Breeding Center

Explore a maze of coastal lagoons and mangroves that shelter flamingos, stilts, and migratory birds. At the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center, see young giant tortoises being raised for release into the wild.

Moreno Point

A stark, beautiful lava landscape with brackish lagoons where flamingos, pintails, and shorebirds gather. The rocky shore offers excellent snorkeling in clear, calm water.

Elizabeth Bay

A tranquil mangrove-fringed bay explored by panga. Watch for sea turtles, golden rays, flightless cormorants, Galapagos penguins, and herons fishing among the roots.

Urbina Bay

A shoreline lifted from the sea by uplift in 1954, leaving coral skeletons stranded on land. Walk among giant tortoises, land iguanas, and flightless cormorants in this unique setting.

Tagus Cove

A historic anchorage where 19th-century sailors carved graffiti into the cliffs. Hike past Darwin Lake to a viewpoint over the northern volcanoes, and look for Galapagos penguins along the shore.

Espinoza Point

On pristine Fernandina, the youngest island, walk across ropey lava among flightless cormorants, huge marine iguana colonies, sea lions, and Galapagos hawks, with a smoking volcano as backdrop.

Vicente Roca Point

A dramatic marine site beneath towering tuff cliffs. Snorkel with sea turtles in the cold, rich waters and watch for flightless cormorants, blue-footed boobies, and the tiny Galapagos penguin.

Egas Port

A black-sand beach with a colony of fur sea lions, marine iguanas, and the remains of a historic salt mine. The tidal pools and clear water make for rewarding snorkeling.

Rabida

Famous for its rust-red sand beach rich in iron. Sea lions rest on the shore, Darwin finches flit through the palo santo trees, and flamingos sometimes visit the lagoon behind the beach.

Chinese Hat

A tiny islet with a distinctive sombrero shape off Santiago’s coast. Snorkel alongside Galapagos penguins and sea lions, and walk among lava formations and cactus.

Bartholomew Island

Climb the wooden steps to the archipelago’s most iconic viewpoint, overlooking Pinnacle Rock and the surrounding islands. Snorkel at the base with penguins and reef sharks.

North Seymour

A flat, uplifted island with large nesting colonies of magnificent and great frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, land iguanas, and sea lions. A fitting finale before transferring to Baltra Airport for your onward flight.