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Are you looking for a destination for your holiday getaway? You might want to consider the Galapagos Islands.
It’s an archipelago rich with history found west of Ecuador, known as the place where Charles Darwin made his study on wildlife and endemic species.
He was aboard the HMS Beagle when he made his books, one of them known as The Voyage of the Beagle. It is here where you find nature’s wonders.
Did we mention this is also a wonderful spot for diving and snorkeling?
Are you up for a visit this beautiful archipelago? We have some recommendations on some islands to keep an eye out on for a great time.
Without further ado, here are 5 of the best islands to visit when you visit the Galapagos Islands:
- Española Island
If you are off to the Galapagos Islands, keep an eye out for Española Island. This happens to be one of the top 3 must-see islands within the archipelago.
It holds a number of wonders to its existence. For one, it stands as the oldest island, clocking at the age of 4 million years old.
With this, it hosts an overwhelming diversity of wildlife. Many refer to it as the Grand Central Station of wildlife within the Galapagos Islands. Among the wonderful animals that you can spot within this area include the Galapagos Sea Lion, the Nazca Booby, the Blue-Foot Booby, and the Marine Iguana.
Española Island is also where you can spot the Galapagos Albatross. It’s the only area in the islands where you can find them.
If you are up to watch the wildlife, especially with birdwatching, this is one of the hotspots for you.
Other areas you can check out in Española Island include Punta Suarez and Gardner Bay for a wonderful scene that is picturesque and breathtaking. When heading out to any of the islands, including this one, consider the map you can view here.
- Isabela Island
Another locale you should check out is Isabela Island. It’s one of the biggest islands in the archipelago and home to one of the smallest towns in the area. It is also home to one of the biggest craters in the world.
Being 1 million years old, about six shield volcanoes surround the area. These six volcanoes have merged into one island. Among those six volcanoes, four of them show sporadic activity.
While there, you can enjoy your visit by checking out the rich and diverse wildlife in the area. Isabela Island is also a great spot for diving and snorkeling for both beginners and experts. Consider checking out the center of the island called Los Tuneles.
- Santa Cruz Island
Among the islands, Santa Cruz Island happens to be the home to the largest population of human inhabitants within the archipelago. You may consider this as a starting point for your trip. Most itineraries mark Santa Cruz as a recurring stop area.
Despite the population, Santa Cruz Island has its wide share of wonders and attractions for you to check out. Aside from enjoying the sights and the wonderful people, you can check out the white sand beaches of Tortuga Bay.
Here, you can check out the marine life such as the Galapagos marine turtles, marine iguanas, and the Sally Lightfoot crabs.
They also have the Rancho Primicias, where you can check out the giant tortoise. There’s also the El Chato Tortoise Reserve next door.
When it comes to diving and snorkeling, Santa Cruz Island also has a fair share of locations. The Gordon Rocks and Las Grietas are among the prime areas you can check out.
If you want to relax and unwind at the end of the day, there is always Puerto Ayora. Here, you can visit the host of restaurants and shops.
- Floreana Island
Are you looking for a place that provides a wonderful view of the sunset? Floreana Island provides more than that. It has an interesting history behind it resulting from a long series of events that warrant its own section.
With that aside, Floreana Island is also home to diverse wildlife. Most notable among them are the Floreana Lava Lizard and the Floreana Mockingbird. You can also spot the American Flamingo as well as the Galapagos Sea Lion. You can even spot the Galapagos Penguin here.
A point of interest for diving is an area called the Devil’s Crown, located off the northeast point of the island. It is a great spot where you can snorkel with schools of fish and various marine life.
The island is also around 3.5 million years old.
- Santiago Island
If there is one thing that would make you consider Santiago Island, it is this. The sight of contrasting, volcanic layers of rock as seen on the side of Sullivan Bay.
This geological wonder is a marvel for the tourist, especially for those studying geology and volcanology.
On top of this, Santiago Island also has a diverse display of shorebirds and is a great spot to find the Galapagos fur seal.
Other notable locations within the Santiago Island are the Sombrero Chino (an islet at the southern tip), Cousin’s Rock, and Puerto Egas. Sombrero Chino and Cousin’s Rock have good diving sites, while Puerto Egas is a good place to spot wildlife.
Head to the Galapagos Islands Today!
The Galapagos Islands shines as the best spot to travel for your holiday getaway. You enjoy the sun, the sea, and wildlife. If you are up for a memorable experience, put this as one of your next destinations.
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