Galapagos - Best islands - Page two

Best 5 Islands
in the Galapagos

# 3, 4 and 5

Click HERE for # and

Santa Cruz

It's the most populated island in the Galapagos and is centrally located. Puerto Ayora is the major town and has the most hotels, stores, and tour agents in the Galapagos archipelago.

Research Center

Visit the Charles Darwin Research Center to see the giant tortoises. Though the famous giant tortoise Lonesome George passed away, there are many equally large giant tortoises at the center.

Lava tubes and giant tortoises

Go to the Santa Cruz highlands to walk through lava tubes and to observe wild giant tortoises roaming lush green landscapes.

Fernandina

This is the westernmost, youngest and most volcanically active Galapagos island. Fernandina is also the most pristine because it was the least affected by man-introduced foreign animals and vegetation.

Flightless cormorants

Hike the trail that begins at Punta Espinoza to see the relatively rare flightless cormorants. Along the way you'll also view well-established marine iguana and sea lion colonies.

Channel sailing

Watch pods of whales and orcas and schools of dolphins in the channel separating Fernandina and Isabela Islands.

San Cristobal

It's the easternmost (and therefore may be the oldest) island of the Galapagos archipelago.

Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido)

It's one of the Galapagos' most celebrated landmarks. This 146-meter (nearly 500-foot) high rock formation dramatically juts out of the sea near the San Cristobal coast. Circle the rock up close - and if you are in a small boat, you can pass completely through where the rock is split.

Interpretation Center

Become eco-savvy at the Interpretation Center in Puerto Baquerizo, the second largest town in the Galapagos.

Other island rankings

Click FIRST PAGE for # and rankings
Click MORE ISLANDS for runners-up list