Western Islands

Arrive at Baltra Airport, where a certified naturalist guide meets you and leads the transfer to the Itabaca Channel. Cross by ferry to Santa Cruz Island, passing through Baltra’s dry terrain. Learn about the island’s former use as a U.S. airbase during World War II.
Level: Easy
Activities: Hiking

Whether starting from Baltra or Puerto Ayora, ride by bus into the highlands of Santa Cruz. Stop at a reserve to walk through dense, green forest found only at higher elevations. Search for Galápagos giant tortoises in the wild. These massive reptiles, weighing over 600 pounds, often graze in open fields or soak in freshwater ponds. Look for tree finches, woodpecker finches, vegetarian finches, flycatchers, pintails, and other water birds rarely seen in the lowlands. Depending on the route, enter a lava tunnel and examine formations created by historic volcanic activity.
 
Highlights: Lava tunnels, Darwin finches, Galapagos flycatchers, Giant tortoises, Barn owls, White-cheeked pintails
Trail: 1-1.5 km / 0.6 - 0.9 mi
Level: Easy
Activities: Hiking

Walk across Moreno Point’s wide lava fields, shaped by past volcanic flows and appearing barren at first. Head inland to reach shallow, brackish lagoons that attract wildlife. Watch for flamingoes, gallinules, ducks, and herons feeding in the pools. Along the rocky coastline, search for Galápagos penguins, marine iguanas, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, flightless cormorants, oystercatchers, and other coastal birds.

Snorkel Experience: Enter the water near the shore to swim among sea turtles, reef fish, and cormorants diving for prey. Scan the underwater vegetation—especially long seaweed beds—for a chance to spot a seahorse.

Highlights: Stunning Views, Galapagos mockingbirds, Darwin finches, American flamingoes, Flightless cormorants, Marine iguanas, Ducks, Gallinules
Trail: 1.6 km / 1 mi
Activities: Hiking, snorkeling, panga ride

Navigate Elizabeth Bay by dinghy through narrow channels, quiet coves, and shallow pools surrounded by mangroves and volcanic rock. Since there’s no walking trail, explore by boat to reach areas full of wildlife. Watch for Galápagos penguins along the shore—this site offers one of the best chances to see them, though only about 3,000 exist across the islands. Look for flightless cormorants nesting on the rocks, and spot blue-footed boobies and pelicans diving for fish. Rays and sea turtles are also frequently seen swimming in these calm, nutrient-rich waters.

Highlights: Mangroves, Rays, Herons, Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks, Flightless cormorants, Sea turtles
Trail: 1.4 km / 0.8 mi
Level: Easy
Activities: Panga ride, paddle board, kayak

This place is known for the dramatic uplifting that happened here during the 1950’s. A large portion of the coast was pushed up, exposing many hectares of previously submerged land. Look carefully along the trail and you will find small shells and corals, a proof that the area was underwater more than sixty years ago. The trail will give the opportunity to see land iguanas and, during certain seasons, giant tortoises. Galapagos hawks nest in the area and are often seen flying or perched on the trees.
 
Snorkel Experience: You can snorkel from the beach to see sea turtles, cormorants and penguins. Fish are also abundant in the area.

Highlights: Stunning Views, Galapagos mockingbirds, Galapagos hawks, Darwin finches, Galapagos flycatchers, Galapagos land iguanas
Trail: Short trail: 1.2 km / 0.7 mi. | Long Trail: 3.0 km / 1.8 mi
Level: Easy
Activities: Hiking and Snorkeling

Tagus Cove is steeped in history, once visited by Charles Darwin during his Galapagos exploration. A scenic trail winds through dry Palo Santo forests, where Darwin’s finches and mockingbirds can be spotted. At the top, breathtaking views of Lake Darwin and Isabela’s towering volcanoes await. A boat tour along the shore provides a chance to observe Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, marine iguanas, and the elusive Galapagos martin, one of the rarest and most endangered birds in the archipelago.

Snorkel Experience: The nutrient-rich waters of Tagus Cove attract sea turtles, tropical fish, and penguins feasting on anchovies. Flightless cormorants can often be seen chasing fish underwater, creating a truly unique snorkeling experience.

Highlights: Stunning Views, Herons, Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks, Flightless cormorants, Marine iguanas, Sea turtles, Sea stars
Trail: 2.6 km / 1.6 mi
Level: Easy
Activities: Hiking, snorkeling, panga ride, paddle board, kayak

Located at the base of an imposing volcano (the most active in the Galapagos islands) this site is one of the jewels of the Galapagos National Park. As soon as you disembark you will be surrounded by hundreds of marine iguanas, as this is the largest colony for the species. Sea lions bask in the beaches while their pups play in tide pools. Along the shore you will see   flightless cormorants, which are restricted to the western areas of the archipelago. Surrounded by cold plankton-rich waters, Punta Espinosa is home for an array of species, including herons, pelicans, oystercatchers, sea turtles, shorebird and many more. Look up in the mangroves as Galapagos hawks often perch to look for their prey.

Snorkel Experience: The nutrient-rich waters around Punta Espinosa attracts great numbers and diversity of fish and sea turtles. Seaweeds are also abundant, making this place the best for seeing marine iguanas feeding underwater. Following a cormorant underwater as it chases fish through the reef is one on the most amazing snorkel experiences you may have on your trip.

Highlights: Stunning Views, Herons, Galapagos penguins, Oystercatchers, Galapagos hawks, Marine iguanas, Sea turtles, Shorebirds
Trail: 1.6 km / 1 mi
Level: Moderate
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling, Panga ride

In the afternoon, visit Albemarle Point, where military history meets Galapagos wildlife. During WWII, the U.S. built a radar base here to monitor potential Japanese threats, and remnants of this structure remain visible today. Despite its stark, lava-covered landscape, the coastline is rich in wildlife. Some of the largest marine iguanas in the archipelago reside here, alongside Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, and various shorebirds, making this a fascinating blend of history and nature.

Snorkel Experience: Swim among flightless cormorants, penguins, and schools of tropical fish in crystal-clear waters, experiencing the vibrant marine life of this historic Galapagos site.
 
Highlights: Galapagos penguins, Land and marine iguanas, Flightless cormorants, Sea turtles, Sally light-foot crabs
Trail: 1 km / 0.6 mi
Level: Easy
Activities: Hiking, panga ride, paddle board, kayak

Puerto Egas is a fascinating destination where history and wildlife intertwine. While there is no actual port, remnants of 1960s colonization attempts still stand. The coastal trail is teeming with marine iguanas basking in the sun and sea lions resting on the rocks. Herons, oystercatchers, and shorebirds complete this thriving ecosystem. Towards the end of the trail, the grottos are home to a small colony of the elusive Galapagos fur seal. Additionally, land iguanas were reintroduced to the island in 2019 after over a century of absence.

Snorkel Experience:  A snorkeling session from the beach will lead you to an area of rocky bottoms, excellent for observing fish, turtles, and reef sharks. Sea lions often frequent this area and are typically open to interacting with divers.
 
Highlights: Stunning Views, Herons, Galapagos sea lions, Galapagos fur seals, Oystercatchers, Galapagos hawks, Darwin finches, Marine and land iguanas, Galapagos doves, Shorebirds
Trail: 2.3 km / 1.4 mi
Level: Easy
Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling

Espumilla Beach, on Santiago’s northern coast, is a stunning one-kilometer stretch of rusty-brown sand. Surrounded by mangroves and dry forest, it hosts Galapagos hawks, finches, and mockingbirds, while flamingos and ducks may appear in the salt pan during the rainy season. Then, at Buccaneer Cove, discover a historic pirate hideout from the 17th and 18th centuries. Towering cliffs and striking rock formations create a breathtaking landscape. Although there's no trail, a dinghy ride offers a unique chance to observe wildlife and delve into the archipelago's history.

Snorkel Experience: Snorkel into a sheltered bay and explore a vibrant underwater world. Swim among schools of angelfish, parrotfish, and snappers while spotting reef sharks, sea turtles, and playful sea lions in their natural habitat.
 
Highlights: Herons, Boobies, Galapagos hawks
Trail: 2.3 km / 1.4 mi (plus an extra loop 1 km - 0,6 mi)
Level: Easy
Activities: Hiking, snorkeling, panga ride, paddle board, kayak 

Explore one of the two remarkable sites in Galápagos: Dragon Hill on Santa Cruz, where land iguanas roam and flamingos gather at a saltwater lagoon, and Daphne Major, home to nesting seabirds and groundbreaking finch evolution research. Both offer unique, unforgettable wildlife experiences.
 
Highlights: Herons, Darwin finches, Galapagos flycatchers, American flamingoes, Galapagos land iguanas
Trail: 2.2 km / 1.4 mi
Level: Easy
Activities: Hiking, snorkeling

Your Galapagos adventure comes to an end. Today, you will be transferred to Baltra Airport, where your National Park naturalist guide will assist you with final details before your flight back to mainland Ecuador. As you bid farewell to this paradise, take with you the unforgettable memories of one of the world’s most extraordinary destinations.