Best For Volcano Lovers (Isabela) |
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 Isabela, the largest island in the Galapagos, is a volcanologists dream. Five young and intermittently active volcanoes create a skyline as dramatic as Manhattan’s but it’s the animals who thrive in this isolated landscape that make the long and frequently rough trip here worth any potential queasiness. |
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Smaller boats won't brave the over 200km of open seas from Puerto Ayora to the western side of Isabela where the majority of the sites are located so a trip here feels even more isolated and exclusive than to islands in the center of the archipelago. This is just one more reason to make sure that you choose a boat of moderate size.
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 Given this isolation it's a strange sensation to see the grafitti etched into the stone near the landing at Tagus Cove; most is by sailors, some dating as far back as 1836 but there are also more recent examples of tourists leaving their mark. A colony of sea lions may block your path but they will usually step aside and allow you on your way.
From here it's a sometimes steep but exhilirating hike to the lower slopes of Volcan Darwin. One of the most beautiful sites in all the islands is that of Darwin Lake, the saltwater lagoon you pass on the way; it's basically a dormant tuff cone. |
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| Tortoise Territory |
After this relatively intense aerobic workout, a panga ride (the small boats used to ferry tourists from their boats to land) along the cliffs near Tagus Cove is a chance to get off your feet and see brave penguins throw themselves from the rocks into the churning surf.
Most boats don't have time for more than these two sites in a day since you usually move on elsewhere which is unfortunate since their are many other worthwhile and special sites. So for those on longer trips, try to make it to Urbina Bay where there are flightless cormorants, pelicans, giant tortoises and iguanas.
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 Volcan Alcedo (1128m) looms in the distance; hundreds of giant tortoises make their homes here and the best time to visit is from June to December.
On the southeastern corner of Isabela, there is the small village of Puerto Villamil.
Volcan Sierra Negra, pictured, erupted in October 2005 and Volcan Wolf (1707m) is the highest point in the Galapagos.
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| See Galapagos Islands Overview for information on costs |
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