Galapagos Islands . They are a set of 14 islands and a series of islets located 972 kilometers from the continental coast of Ecuador .
Charles Darwin landed on the island of San Cristobal , the easternmost of the Galapagos Islands, the 17 of September of 1835 wrote: “Like a slotted spoon were, the surface of the island is perforated by underground steam here and there. the lava, still malleable, swells, forming huge blisters that end up bursting and becoming caves and caves … I found two huge turtles .
Galapagos Islands
Darwin was intrigued by the different varieties of Galapagos that he found on each island he visited, hence his name. The biological colonization that developed in the newly emerged archipelago as a result of its volcanic eruptions and the fact that each island presented its own species or varieties, stimulated Darwin to discover his famous “Theory of Evolution.Turtles
The Galapagos Islands are considered a National Park and Natural Heritage of Humanity . A thousand kilometers away from the continental coast, it meets a series of conditions that make it unique: a volcanic past and a recent fauna and floral population that make it the ideal place to study how species are adapting to environmental conditions. A true paradise for naturalists. For the traveler, the most interesting of the area are its beaches and its fauna and an arid and volcanic landscape of fascinating beauty.
Archipelago islands
Santa Cruz Island
It is the second largest in the archipelago. It is located right in the middle of the archipelago, where Puerto Ayora, the largest city in the Galapagos, is located. A road crosses it from north to south, which makes the foray around the island easier. From Puerto Ayora you can make numerous excursions such as the Academy Bay, the famous port of the city, not forgetting the trip to the Charles Darwin Research Station. One of the most peaceful places on the island and you can visit even without a guide is Turtle Bay, where on fine sands and warm waters between the seas, placid iguanas and birds marinas, pelicans and flamingoes , even some shark they live in the calmest harmony. Another of the island’s attractions are excursions through the Lava Tunnels.
North of the town of Bellavista is the Tierras Altas National Park. There are craters called Los Gemelos and, near the town of Santa Rosa, a turtle reserve. Other places on the island are Ballena and Conway bays , with its flamingo lake; the Cave of the Black Tortoise , on the north coast, inhabited by a fantastic marine fauna; Bachas and Cerro Dragón beaches, which also have lakes dotted with flamingos.
From Santa Cruz you can navigate to the small islands known as Islas Plazas, which have incredible fauna. To the south, Santa Fe Island is full of cacti and unique iguana species.
Baltra Island
Separated by a strait from Santa Cruz Island, Baltra Island is home to the largest airport in the archipelago. Buses and ferries connect the island with Puerto Ayora in Santa Cruz. The most attractive thing about the island is its fauna.
From Baltra you can travel to Seymur Island , separated from it by a canal. In it you will be able to admire iguanas and sea lions, aquatic birds and in general an admirable wild fauna and flora. Between Baltra and Seymur is Mosquera Island, where a colony of sea lions rests on the fine sand. To the west of Baltra are the Daphne Islands, two volcanic islands that can also be visited.
San Cristobal Island
It is located in the eastern part of the archipelago. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno acts as the political capital of Galapagos, on the Ecuador line . It has an airport and several hotels. Nearby is the hill of the birds from where you can enjoy wonderful views. One of the most attractive excursions is the one that takes you to El Junco, a lake above sea level with permanent fresh waters.
On the northwest coast is Puerto Grande, which has excellent beaches. From Puerto Baquerizo Moreno you can reach Isla Lobos and the rocky island León Dormido . In the extreme north of the island you can see numerous tortoises in freedom in the place known as Los Galápagos . There are volcanic formations at Punta Pitt, where you will find the most fantastic geological structures in the world. Other places on the island are Cerro Brujo and Tortuga Bay, whose main attractions are the flamingos and the turtles that live there. In the south, Puerto Chino is also interesting.
Espanola Island
It is found further south of all the islands. where the albatross colony that nests there lives. One of the most important places on the island is Puerto Suárez in the extreme west. Gardner Beach, in the east, offers fine sands and warm waters.
Santa Maria Island
It is about the ancient Floreana, as Darwin baptized her. The base for expeditions around the island is Puerto Velasco Ibarra. From there you can see Asilo de la Paz, where a species of native finch resides, an endemic species of great value. Other places of interest within the island are Punta Cormorán , the most characteristic is its green beach because it contains minerals of that color, and the Cliff of the Devil, a space surrounded by rocks where the most colorful fish habitat of the island. Various tropical animals, small coral formations and a crater, in addition to the numerous fauna and flora typical of the islands, are the attractions of the Island of Santa María.
San Salvador Island
It is also known as Santiago or “James”. The most popular place is Puerto Egas. A line of black lava extends along its banks with ponds formed by lava, caves, and coves where a great variety of wildlife resides. The Azúcar Volcano, a crater in extinction, is located nearby. Espumilla Beach is another of the island’s destinations. Apart from the beach where you can swim and admire the marine fauna, there is also a lake full of fantastic birds that includes flamingos and finches. Another place, which can be accessed by boat, is the Bucanero Cave, the most spectacular are its cliffs where numerous species of birds nest. Finally visit Sullivan Bay, on the east coast of the island where black lava has also solidified on its shores.You will find typical plants such as cacti and volcanic geology of great value. From the bay you can access the islands Bartolomé, Sombrero Chino and Isla Rábida.
Isabela Island
It is the largest in the archipelago. There are numerous tourist attractions such as Isabela. One of them is the Alcedo Volcano. Traveling north you will find Punta García, where you can easily admire the Flightless Cormorant. Following the route you will find two volcanoes, the Wolf and Darwin Volcano. At the northern end of the island is Punta Albermale where you will also find flightless cormorants. You can also spot penguins, as well as numerous seabirds. Bordering the coast and descending towards the south there are two more stops: Punta Flores and Punta Vicente Roca. To the south at Punta Tortuga, a beach at the foot of the Darwin Volcano. Finches abound throughout the area. Further south is Cala Tagus, where sailors used to anchor.
Following the coastal route is the Urbina Bay where there are some coral formations inhabited by cormorants, penguins and iguanas. Descending, we stop again at Elizabeth Bay , where numerous sea turtles nest, while at Punta Moreno, further south, native flamingos, plants and insects populate the place. The small town Puerto Villamil, in the southeast of the island, is a good place to rest and visit Lake Villamil, which fills with migratory birds. We advise you to take a tour of the Wall of Tears.
In the south of the island rises the Santo Tomás Volcano . Between Isabela and Baltra is Pinzón Island, it is very difficult to land on it since most of its visitors are scientists.
Fernandina Island
It is the third largest island of the Galapagos Islands. One of the most popular places is Punta Espinosa, especially because of the colony of marine iguanas that is concentrated there. Other animals that you can admire are sea lions, flightless cormorants and Galapagos penguins among other species.
On the island you can make different excursions to the volcanoes. To the north of the archipelago is Genovesa Island, whose main sites of interest are the Barranco and Darwin Bay Beach with its coral formations and its important colonies of birds. Other islands are Isla Marchena and Isla Pinta. And two more small islands: Wolf Island and Darwin Island, without forgetting the more than fifty islets that make up the Galapagos Islands
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