Galapagos - Isabela

The largest island of the entire archipelago, about 75 miles (120 km) long and larger than the rest of the islands combined, Isabela was named in honor of the Spanish queen. The isle’s shape resembles a seahorse, which is the result of the merging of six large volcanoes – five of which are still active – into a single landform.

Since the majority of the visitor sites are located on the western side of the island, only faster cruise ships or those featuring longer tours make a stop at this island. As such, it has only just started to develop as a tourist center. However, there is still plenty to do on this beautiful isle and in Puerto Villamil, the town that hosts the largest amount of residents on the entire island. This is where tourists usually start their Isabela explorations. It is the island’s largest town and provides accommodation, restaurants, and other tourist services.

The area has many attractions for tourists to enjoy. About half an hour from the town is the Centro de Crianza, which is a giant tortoise breeding center. The center is surrounded by gorgeous lagoons where various birdlife such as flamingos hang around. The area boasts another beautiful body of water: Concha Perla Lagoon. The trail that leads you to this lovely lagoon is full of mangroves. Take a jump off the quaint dock and swim with sea lions here.

Situated in the southern region of the Island, between volcanoes Cerro Azul and Alcedo is Sierra Negra Volcano. Its caldera, which measures 6 x 5 miles (10 x 8 kilometers), is the largest of the archipelago and the second largest in the world. The trek from Puerto Villamill takes between 3 to 5 hours. However, the breathtaking landscape seen along the way and the chance to spot different sub-species of tortoises – the island is home to the largest number of wild tortoises of all the Galapagos isles – will surely be worth the trip.

Punta Moreno, on the southwest area of Isabela, is the ideal place to see Galapagos penguins. A tour of this area begins with a ride through the rocky but beautiful shores, which the friendly penguins call home. From there travelers will trek though trails of sharp lava rocks. Craters from here have become tide pools, with some enclosed by mangroves. Galapagos fowl such as pink flamingos, pintail ducks, and brown pelicans can be seen here.

Also situated on the west coast of island Isabela is Elizabeth Bay. No landings are permitted here as it is only a marine visitor site. This is another great site to see Galapagos penguins as it holds the largest concentration of the birds on all the islands. Here your boat will travel the waters of the island where travelers will be able to view brown pelicans, sea lions, golden rays, and other interesting creatures.