One of the most popular ways to explore the Galapagos Islands is via cruise. This way you can visit all of the attractions on the archipelago and enjoy your trip to the fullest. You can either book a local guide or have an Island cruise that will take you to the main destinations attractive to tourists. The Galapagos Islands are one of the most astonishingly beautiful destinations and attract millions of visitors from around the world every year. It is situated 900 kilometers of the Pacific Ocean, so you can just imagine the views and landscapes this piece of surface owns. Before going any further into detail, we recommend you check the best Galapagos Islands cruise trips that will take you to different parts and islands where you’d get to enjoy every little corner and scenery. Once you are informed about it, you can book your trip and embark on your next adventure!
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Santa Cruz Island
Santa Cruz Island is the place where Charles Darwin Station is situated. This is the epicenter of all scientific research and has been founded in 1959 to research the environment, species, and evolution in the Galapagos. After visiting this majestic scientific building, you can spend some time on Tortuga Beach where you can get to enjoy the wildlife and white sand beaches. An interesting fact about this island is the number of iguanas you will encounter while staying there. You won’t be able to walk a few minutes without crossing your path with a marine iguana being lazily asleep in the sand and enjoying the sun.
Tortuga Beach is the most environmentally-suitable place for sea turtles where they lay their eggs, so you might even catch one hatching! In addition, you can explore the striking lava tunnels that were formed thousands of years ago and place your foot on these historical places.
Isabela Island
Isabela Island is the largest one in the Galapagos archipelago and the only one that has an equator line to run through it. You can see the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre which is one of the conservation programs where unique species are being bred and released into the wild.
The west coast of the island is the best place to see the humpback whales and the amazing orcas. One of the breathtaking views is the Tintoreras Islet which is a collection of rocks surrounded by crystal waters where live sea lions, reef sharks, and turtles. The options for exploring and learning more about this island are limitless, these are just a few of the adventurous activities you can have there.
San Cristobal Island
San Cristobal is one of the quieter islands in the Galapagos archipelago where you’d get to enjoy a relaxing atmosphere on a beach in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Sounds too good to be true? Well, it’s true! If you are interested in learning more about the islands and the efforts being made to preserve them, you can make a quick trip to the San Cristobal Interpretation Centre and learn more about its history, the volcanic origins, the changing climates, the underwater currents, species, and many, many more.
You can also see the Sleeping Lion or called Leon Dormido on the island by its locals, or get to see the Kicker Rock. While diving into the waters you can observe the volcanic anomalous rock formation and its unique system. This is a one-of-a-lifetime experience to enjoy this underwater paradise filled with hammerhead sharks, fish colored in bright colors, and sea turtles.
Bartolome Island
Bartolome Island is famous for the iconic and monumental tower of raw earth, known as Pinnacle Rock. It’s a long and stretchy beach where you will see a lot of visitors snorkeling on this side of the peninsula. At the side of the hill, you can see a large volcano cone, climb on the staircase all the way to the top, and admire the astonishing surroundings. You can make a selfie or two while enjoying the breathtaking views and spend one week or two in the Galapagos paradise.
The Spanish Island
The Spanish Island or as the locals call it, Española Island is the heart of the wildlife in Galapagos. It’s a popular destination due to the inhabitants that are living on the dry terrain and in the clear waters. The number and variety of creatures that this Island has, make it the number one tourist destination for scientists and those who want to learn more about the evolution and life of species.
Charles Darwin himself spotted the island first on his scientific research journey on the Galapagos Islands, but he never landed on it. You can visit this island via Santa Cruz where you can find many cruises that will take you on this unforgettable journey.
