Go South Adventures provides the following island & site descriptions in order to help passengers compare itineraries and learn more about the islands attractions.

Island visits are made with small transport boats or zodiacs, method of landing varies with each site:
Dry Landing - you will exit boat onto dock or other dry facility
Wet Landing – usually a beach landing, in which you will exit the boat into knee high water and walk onto shore and change into walking shoes.

MOST POPULAR GALAPAGOS ISLANDS (in alphabetical order)

1) BALTRA ISLAND
Baltra is a military base where the airport is located. Here all passengers must pay the Galapagos Entrance Fee ($100 USD per person) upon their arrival in Galapagos. Guides and transport will be waiting for passengers at the airport in order to begin the selected Galapagos cruises.

2) BARTOLOME ISLAND
Bartolome is a small island located east of Santiago Island. Bartolome is famous for its Pinnacle Rock, which is the distinctive characteristic of this island. It has two visitor sites. At the first one, you may swim and snorkel around Pinnacle Rock, where penguins are usually seen, or walk to the other side of the island to see sea turtles nesting (from January to March) and sharks swimming close to shore. (Dry landing)

At the other site, you can climb to the highest point of the island. On your way up, you will encounter different formations of volcanic origin including spatter and tuff cones, lava flows and lava tubes. Once on the summit, there is a spectacular view of the surroundings. On this island we also can see sea lions, Galapagos penguins, pelicans, Galapagos hawks, turtles, sharks, pioneer plants and landscape. (Dry landing)

3) ESPANOLA ISLAND (Hood)
Espanola is one of the most popular and attractive islands because it is one of the most isolated islands in the archipelago. The quantity and variety of wildlife here is remarkable, and it has a high proportion of natural fauna. On this island we will find waved albatrosses (April to December), blue footed bobbies, masked boobies, Galapagos hawks, Darwin finches, swallow-tailed gulls, Espanola mockingbirds, shorebirds sea lions, marine iguanas, lava lizards and an impressive blowhole.

Gardner Bay – Offers a great possibility for the visitor to enjoy some beach time in the Galapagos. At the beach you can walk and watch sea lions, or just lie down and relax. Or you can go swimming and snorkeling. The rocks in front of the beach are excellent snorkeling sites. (Wet landing)

Punta Suarez – When landing, young sea lions surf the breaking waves, while a few steps inland groups of the Española variety of iguanas bask in the sun. Farther inland, Masked and Blue-foot Boobies nest almost right on the trail, Galapagos Doves peck around unaware of visitors and finches go about their business in the bushes. The trail continues toward the cliffs and the blowhole, a fissure in the lava where water spurts high in the air like a geyser. (Wet landing)

4) FERNANDINA ISLAND (Narborough)
Fernandina is the youngest island in Galapagos. The most recent volcanic eruption in Fernandina happened in 2009. Volcano La Cumbre dominates the landscape, and from its base, lava fields extend towards the ocean.

Punta Espinoza – This narrow stretch of land where some of the most unique Galapagos species can be seen, including flightless cormorants, snakes, Galapagos penguins and Galapagos hawks. It is also one of the sites with the largest colonies of marine iguanas, and an excellent place to observe the behavior of the sea lions. Following the trail inland, two different types of lava flows can be seen and compared: an A’a (Hawaiian names for lava) lava flow and a Pahoehoe lava flow. Lava cacti also can be seen here. (Dry landing)

5) FLOREANA ISLAND (Charles)
Floreana is one of the most interesting islands in the Galapagos with early human inhabitants that date back to the 1930’s. Floreana has a colorful history of pirates, whalers, convicts and colonists.

Devil’s Crown – This site is a volcanic crater that has been eroded by the waves. The inside of the crown is a perfect environment for coral reef that attracts other marine life, making this one of the best snorkeling sites in Galapagos.

Champion Bay – This is a great place to see blue footed boobies, nazca boobies, sea lions, marine iguanas, tropical birds, lava gulls and others. Snorkelers can observe marine tortoises, mild sharks and a variety of fish.

Post Office Bay – This is one of the most intriguing sites because of a wooden barrel that was put there in the 18th century by a group of whalers. From that time, tourists and seamen have used it as a post office. Visitors sift through the pile of postcards and letters deposited inside the barrel, and if they find one that they can deliver personally to its destination, they take it with them. (Wet landing)

Punta Cormorant – At Punta Cormorant the landing is on a beach with green olivine sand. Several trails on the island allow you to explore and experience a brackish lagoon where long, skinny-legged flamingoes wade through the water, sifting shrimp with their curved bills. White-cheeked pintail ducks, stilts, and other shorebirds feed along with the flamingoes. The trail then goes over a hill to a stunning white beach consisting of ground coral where the green sea turtles nest. (Wet landing)

6) GENOVESA ISLAND (Tower)
Genovesa Island is formed by the remaining edges of a large crater that is now mostly submerged. Genovesa is known as “the bird island”. On this island we can find frigate birds, herons, mockingbirds, boobies, shorebirds, swallow-tailed gulls, red footed boobies, masked boobies, great frigate birds, storm petrels, red-billed tropicbirds, swallow-tailed gulls, short eared owls, Darwin finches, turtles, marine iguanas, sea lions, pioneer plants and lava fields.

Darwin Bay – Darwin Bay is filled with frigate birds and their bustling activity. Along the trail are pairs of swallow-tailed gulls, the only nocturnal gulls in the world and red-footed boobies, with their contrasting red feet and blue bills. Lava and yellow crowned herons, whimbrels and other birds feed near the shores of a tidal lagoon just beyond the rocky edge that faces the bay. (Wet landing)

Prince Philip’s Steps (El Barranco) – At Prince Philip’s steps, you climb to a plateau that is part of the stretch of land that surrounds Darwin Bay on its eastern side. Here you will come upon an incredible number of masked boobies and red-footed boobies. (Dry landing)

7) ISABELA ISLAND (Albermarle)
Isabela is the largest island in the archipelago with a total area of 1,771 sq. miles (4,588 sq. Km). Composed by six shield volcanoes that have merged into a single land mass, it also has the highest point in the islands, Wolf Volcano. Isabela provides habitat for five subspecies of giant tortoise.

Elizabeth Bay – Through the mangrove one can see rays, turtles, sea lions, and circling overhead, Galapagos hawks. A colony of penguins inhabits a rocky islet at the entrance to Elizabeth Bay. (View from boat)

Galapaguera/Giant Tortoise Breeding Center – Created with the aim of preventing the extinction of the threatened races of giant tortoises. Eggs are collected from natural nests and brought to the center for incubation, rearing and eventual release.

Humedales (Marshlands) – an elevated trail passes over tidal lagoons that include four mangrove species and provide habitat for flamingoes and numerous migratory birds.

Las Tintoreras – This is the best place to see marine life in the area, a handful of ragged, black lava grottoes poking out of the sea. From a natural dock the trail leads past scuttling marine iguanas up to a lagoon and a narrow channel, where the view allows you to see the sleek shapes of white-tipped reef sharks cruising back and forth. (Dry landing)

Puerto Villamil - A small port town on the southeast side of Isabela. It has about 2,000 inhabitants (1,619 in 2001), most of whom make their living from fishing. Puerto Villamil is one of the few sites of human population in the Galapagos. (Dry landing)

Punta Moreno - is on the southwestern side of Isabela. From here there is a spectacular view of the Alcedo, Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul volcanoes. Here there are a number of lagoons with different kinds of birds such as frigate birds, flamingoes and pelicans. (Dry landing)

Punta Vicente Roca - near the northwest tip of Isabela lies the remnants of an ancient volcano that forms two turquoise coves with a bay well protected from the ocean swells. The spot is a popular anchorage from which to take zodiac rides along the cliff that are the remains of the volcano or explore a partially sunken cave at the water’s edge. Masked and blue-footed boobies sit perched along the point and the sheer cliffs, while flightless cormorants inhabit the shoreline. (View from boat)

Sierra Negra Volcano - Sierra Negra rises to an elevation of nearly 1,500 meters (4,890 feet) and is located in the southeast of Isabela. It is the largest and one of most active volcanoes in the archipelago, with 11 known eruptions since 1813, the most recent in October 2005.

Tagus Cove - Tagus Cove was historically used as an anchoring site for pirates and whalers. You will see the names of hundreds of ships sculpted and painted on the high ridge (this practice is now prohibited). The trail will show the dry vegetation zone, the volcanic landscapes of Darwin volcano and Darwin Lake. At the top of the trail you will enjoy an incredible view of the whole area. On the dinghy ride along the coast, it is possible to see marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, pelicans, flightless cormorants, migratory birds and some marine invertebrates. (Wet landing)

Urbina Bay - is an easy landing on a gentle sloping beach. This area is very interesting in that it is a perfect example of the geological activity of the islands. In 1954 over 3 miles (5 kilometers) of the marine reef at the edge of the shore were uplifted by 13 feet (4 meters). (Wet landing)

Wall of Tears - between 1946 and 1959 Isabela was a penal colony, where prisoners were made to build a wall with huge blocks of lava as punishment. The wall is 100 meters long and 7 meters high. Due to the arduous labor and harsh conditions in which the prisoners lived, this site is known as the wall of tears.

8 ) LOBOS ISLAND
Lobos is a small island located north of San Cristobal. Across the channel, it is possible to watch the resident population of sea lions resting and barking on the lava shores. This site is also a nesting place for blue-footed boobies and frigates. This islet offers good snorkeling possibilities. (Wet landing)

9) NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND
North Seymour is a low, flat island located north of Baltra that was uplifted from the sea by underground seismic activity. On North Seymour we will see the following fauna: sea lions, pelicans, blues footed boobies, magnificent frigate birds, great frigate birds, shorebirds, swallow-tailed gulls, marine iguanas, indigenous Palo Santo. (Dry landing)

10) MOSQUERA ISLAND
Located between North Seymour and Baltra islands is the small island of Mosquera. The island consists of a long narrow stretch of white sand, rocks and tide pools. Created by geological uplift, the island has a flat look to it rather than the conical shape of the volcanically formed islands. At Mosquera a stroll down the beach permits views of the Brown Pelicans, Boobies and colonies of Sea Lions. Along the rocks and in tide pools Sally Light-Foot Crabs (Red Lava Crabs) scamper back and forth, skipping across small pools of water in search of food. (Wet landing)

11) RABIDA ISLAND (Jervis)
Rabida Island is well known for its amazing red color. This color is due to a high percentage of oxidized iron that is present in the lava. Salt-water lagoons on the island are the home to flamingos and white-cheeked ducks. Brown Pelicans also can be found in the salt brushes. Walking up to the southeastern part of the island, there is an observatory from which the startling red color of the beach and rocks can be appreciated. (Wet landing)

12) SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND (Chathan)
San Cristóbal is the easternmost island in Galapagos; on its southwestern side is the town of Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the province of Galapagos. Located here is the other airport in the Galapagos. Upon airport arrival, all passengers must pay the Galapagos Entrance Fee ($100.00 USD per person). Guides and transport will be waiting for passengers at the airport in order to begin the selected Galapagos cruises.

Cerro Brujo - This inviting powdery beach beside a turquoise waters is a great introduction to the islands offering your first opportunity to go snorkeling with the possibility of seeing rays, sea turtles and the archipelago’s playful sea lions. (Dry landing)

El Junco – El Junco is the largest fresh water lagoon in the Galapagos and is surrounded by ferns and sedges. Arriving at the top (700m), visitors will be rewarded by great views of the lagoon, surrounding hills and the Pacific Ocean. Many bird species are often seen flying around the lagoon. (Dry landing)

Interpretation Center - Opened to the public in 1998 by the Galapagos National Park, the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about the natural and human history of the islands. (Dry landing)

La Galapaguera – On the far southeastern end of the island is this protected area of dry forest, which is also a wild-tortoise habitat. A hike along the trails here is an excellent way to do some bird-watching and wildlife-viewing; you’ll also have the opportunity to see one of the endemic San Cristóbal giant tortoises in their natural habitat. (Dry landing)

Leon Dormido or Kicker Rock – Rising 500 feet straight from the ocean, this giant rock has the shape of a sleeping lion (Leon Dormido). It has a split with towering vertical walls on either side forming a narrow channel through which small vessels can navigate. (View from boat)

Loberia – Here you can see a big sea lion colony and marine iguanas.

Playa Ochoa - A small island just an hour from San Cristobal Island. A subtle introduction to the Galapagos Islands. It is an easy wet landing with a short trail leading to a sandy beach good for swimming. Pelicans and other Galapagos sea birds fly overhead. There is a small tidal lagoon behind the beach where sea birds can be observed as well as the rare Chatham mockingbird. (Wet Landing)

Punta Pitt – a unique volcanic formation of eroded cones on the northeast part of San Cristobal. The area is a nesting site for all three species of the Galapagos Booby and home to an endemic species of Lava Lizard. The view is impressive when you walk up to the high part of the island. Cerro Brujo and Turtle Bay, where flamingos and turtles can be seen, are often visited during trips to Punta Pitt. (Dry landing)

Tijeretas Hill – a hill with a lookout over the town with many species of birds. (Dry landing)

13) SANTA CRUZ ISLAND (Indefatigable)
Santa Cruz Island is the second largest island in the Galapagos. Puerto Ayora is a charming town on the southeast shore of Santa Cruz and is the economic center of this archipelago. On this island you will have the opportunity to visit the Charles Darwin Station and see how the conservation of the islands is conducted. Here the visitor will see the famous Galapagos or Giant Tortoises that give the name to the archipelago. The station is a tortoise breeding and rearing center, providing good opportunities to photograph tortoises of all sizes.

Las Bachas – On the north shore of Santa Cruz, Las Bachas is a white sand beach that is a major egg-laying site for sea turtles. Las Bachas refers to the indentations left in the sand by laying turtles or departing hatchlings. On the shore there are marine iguanas, and in the lagoon flamingos are common. While snorkeling you may encounter turtles, white-tip sharks and rays. (Wet landing)

Black Turtle Cove – is a mangrove swamp on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. This is a great place to see large schools of Golden Rays, Green Sea Turtles (they are on the rare and endangered species list), White-tipped Sharks, Galapagos Sharks, Lava Herons, Yellow Warblers and a variety of other bird species. (View from boat)

Charles Darwin Research Station (Puerto Ayora) - The Darwin Station is located near the south shore town of Puerto Ayora. Scientists, park rangers and park managers make huge efforts to preserve and protect the Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Station is also a tortoise breeding and rearing center, where tortoises of different subspecies are prepared for reintroduction to their natural habitats. (Dry landing)

Dragon Hill (Cerro Dragon) - Along the northwest coast of Santa Cruz, a trail leads up to Dragon Hill; there are two lagoons where flamingos and land iguanas can sometimes be seen. Vegetation in this area includes Palo Santo trees and Opuntia cacti. (Wet landing)

Highlands - The green landscape of the Highlands is a welcome contrast with the more arid scenery of the smaller, lower islands. Depending on time, one can see the famous Giant Galapagos Tortoises in the wild while they roam through the green plains. You may also visit the famed lava tunnels, a fun and geologically informative visit. Another Highlands site is the Twin Craters, which are two volcanic craters located one in front of the other. The vegetation of this area is dominated by Scalesia trees, which make the site a beautiful green landscape.

Highlands/El Chato - El Chato is a reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz where giant tortoises can be observed in the wild.

Highlands/Los Gemelos (Twin Craters) - From Puerto Ayora you go by bus to the highlands of Santa Cruz. The green landscape of this area is a welcome contrast with the more arid scenery of the smaller, lower islands. Here you will visit the Twin Craters which are located one in front of the other. The vegetation of this area is dominated by Scalesia trees, which make the site a beautiful green landscape.

Highlands/Rancho Primicias – a ranch in the highlands of Santa Cruz where giant tortoises can be observed roaming in their natural habitat.

Punta Carrion - During this visit you can snorkel and see a variety of fish, rays and perhaps the harmless white tip reef sharks. From Punta Carrion the short navigation is through the beautiful Itabaca Channel with its turquoise waters.

Tortuga Bay - The path from Puerto Ayora is good for bird watching; it is easy to spot several species of finches as you walk along the path. The sunsets here are excellent. The west cove offers a nice snorkeling and swimming area and a nice spot for relaxing. The white sand beach is considered by many the nicest of the archipelago. Its name comes from the sea turtles that go there to lay their eggs. Other species can be found, including pelicans, flamingos and marine iguanas.

Whale Bay - is located on the western coast of Santa Cruz, the bay is not landed on as much as it is pointed out from the boat, as a navigational and historical landmark (going back to the days of the pirates and whalers).

14) SANTA FE ISLAND (Barrington)
Santa Fe has one of the most beautiful coves of all visitor sites in the Galapagos. It is a turquoise cove protected by a peninsula that extends from the shore by a row of rocks and by a small island that are aligned with it. This island was formed by an uplift that was a result of tectonic activity. On this island we will see land iguanas, sea turtles, Galapagos hawks, sea lions and the forest of Opuntia Cactus. (Wet landing)

15) SANTIAGO ISLAND (James)
Santiago is also known as James and/or San Salvador. Its central location and numerous landing sites make Santiago a part of almost every Galapagos itinerary. A favorite island for pirates and whalers, Santiago has a long human history as well as some outstanding opportunities for wildlife viewing. Highlights of a visit include the Fur Seal grotto, Pink Flamingo lagoon as well as the chance to see Galapagos Hawks and Vermilion Fly Catchers.

Puerto Egas - On the western side of the island is Puerto Egas (James Bay). The landing is on a black beach with eroded rock formations in the background. The trail crosses the dry interior, where the remains of salt-mining enterprise still can be seen and then continues along the coast. Intertidal pools are home to a variety of invertebrate organisms, including sea urchins, octopi and sea stars. The trail then leads to the fur seal grottos, one of the only places in the islands where fur seals can be seen. (Wet landing)

Sombrero Chino - A tiny island just off the southeast tip of Santiago. Its name (Chinese Hat) describes the island’s shape. Those visitors who travel to the island will find its special landscape worth the visit. Though centrally located it is one of the least visited sites in the area. National Park Service restrictions have limited the number of visitors to Sombrero Chino. Multi-day cruises with 12 passengers or less are the only ones permitted at this site. The landing is on a beautiful crescent-shaped white sand beach, home to Sea Lions and Sally Lightfoot Crabs. The trail on Sombrero Chino explores its volcanic origin, one of the most evident in the islands.

Sullivan Bay – On the other side of the island, the northeast, is Sullivan Bay. Across a narrow channel from Bartolome, this site offers the possibility of seeing a recent Pahoehoe (ropy) lava flow, formed about 100 years ago. It is exciting to imagine how this lava flowed down to the sea, engulfing everything in its way. After exploring the lava flow, there is swimming and snorkeling with playful sea lions off two small coralline beaches. (Wet landing)

16) SOUTH PLAZAS
South Plazas is one of the best spots in the archipelago to see land iguanas and swallow-tailed gulls, both indigenous to the Galapagos. There are iguana nests scattered all over the hill. Lying under the cactus trees, barely moving, the greenish-yellow iguanas wait for a juicy pad of the prickly pear cactus to fall.

The sheer cliffs of the southern shore are an unparalleled bird observatory and a perfect bird habitat: swallow-tailed gulls, yellow-tailed mullets, Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds and brown pelicans. All of these birds use the rising air to glide effortlessly from one side to the other over the escarpment. One of South Plazas’ main characteristics is unusual vegetation comprised of Opuntia cactuses and sesuvium plants. (Dry landing)