Bucket List Galapagos

Quito, the capital of Ecuador, lies on the slopes of the Andes’ mighty Pichincha volcano in the Guayllabamba river basin. The city’s Old Town is its main attraction - one of the most well preserved in Latin America and the first-ever UNESCO heritage site. Wander among ancient, colourful streets; pop into glorious historic churches; or spend an afternoon browsing the vibrant Mercado (markets) and learning about the unique, traditional Ecuadorian Sierra culture. Other bucket list items in Quito include a visit to the impressive Casa Museo Guayasamín; the Museo de la Presidencia which provides insight into Ecuador’s history; and a climb up the iconic towers of the Basilica. Numerous gorgeous public parks and a thriving and exciting culinary scene complete the package.

Located in the central part of the Galapagos archipelago, the small, flat island of Baltra (also known as South Seymour island) is the only island that is not part of the Galapagos National Park as it operates as a military base and is home to the local airport. With its extremely arid landscape and its sparse vegetation consisting of little more than prickly pear cacti, salt bushes and palo santo trees, arriving on this remote island can feel like landing on another planet. As the island has been designated as a non-visitor site, travelers who arrive in Baltra will immediately be taken by bus to one of two docks where they will either board a cruise ship or a ferry that will take them to the island of Santa Cruz.

The island of Santa Cruz is home to Puerto Ayora, the largest and most developed town in the Galapagos. While many visitors use this island as merely a springboard for the more remote surrounding islands, those who dig a little deeper will discover that this island has plenty to offer. With numerous visitor sites, easily accessible beaches and remote highlands in the interior, Santa Cruz makes an excellent base for adventurous activities. The most popular attraction is undoubtedly the Charles Darwin Station which offers an impressive turtle breeding area and interesting information about the conservation of the unique biosphere of the Galapagos. Don’t miss the opportunity to swim or snorkel at one of the island’s magnificent beaches where you will find white sand and turquoise waters as well as an abundance of fascinating wildlife including: pelicans, blue-footed boobies and marine iguanas.

Also known as ‘Hood Island’, this small, flat island is the southernmost island of the Galapagos group. Dues to its secluded location, Española is home to an impressive number of endemic wildlife. Gardner Bay on the island’s eastern shore is renowned for its magnificent beach where visitors can swim or snorkel among the remarkable marine life including a large, transient colony of sealions. Visitors can follow a trail from Gardner bay towards Punta Suarez on the western tip of the island which considered to be one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the entire archipelago. Here you will find a startling variety of exotic birdlife and reptiles including brightly colored marine iguana and the oversized lava lizard, which are unique to this extraordinary little island.

San Cristóbal is the easternmost island in the Galapagos archipelago as well as the most populated. Famous for its natural attractions, the island also boasts some wonderful shopping and dining opportunities as well as a local airport. Take a break from snorkeling and hiking to enjoy the best Ecuadorian cuisine, or admire some of the exquisite artwork and designs at local galleries and markets. Must-see attractions include the Galapaguera Tortoise Reserve; the Interpretation Center (which provides important background information on the Galapagos); and Puerto Grande, a protected cove on the north-western side of the island boasting a magnificent white sandy beach - ideal for a peaceful walk, swim or photography sesssion.

Resting approximately eight miles southeast of Santa Cruz, the relatively small island of Santa Fe is one of the oldest islands in the Galapagos archipelago with rock formations below the water’s surface dating back almost four million years. The island is best known for its endemic Barrington Land Iguana as well as its towering prickly pear cacti which have been known to reach remarkable heights of up to 20 feet. The magnificent Barrington Bay is the only visitor site on the island. There are two hiking trails that start here. One leads to a scenic viewpoint atop a cliff and the other wends through a forest of gigantic opuntia cacti. The beach is popular with sea lions and is an excellent spot from which to snorkel the radiant blue-green waters. You may even spot a Galapagos green turtle gracefully swimming by.

Located just off the east coast of the Galapagos' Santa Cruz Island, South Plaza is an extraordinary world of natural wonder. Uninhabited by humans, the island is home to a plethora of plant and animal life. Carpetweed paints bright scarlet and violet over landscape in the dry season, turning bright green in winter, along with several fascinating colour-changing cacti. This is the only place on earth where Galapagos hybrid iguanas can be seen. Visitors will also spot land iguanas, marine iguanas, sea lions, Sally Lightfoot Crabs, and an impressive number of several different seabird species. Take the one-hour boat trip from Santa Cruz, and then the guided one kilometre walk up to the ‘Wailing Wall’, where sea lions and birds celebrate life in an explosion of sound and colour. The waters just offshore also offer phenomenal snorkeling opportunities.

Aptly dubbed, “Bird Island” due to its spectacular birdwatching opportunities, Genovesa (Tower) Island lies about 95 km northeast of Santa Cruz in the the Galapagos archipelago. This horse-shoe shaped island has a volcanic caldera whose wall has collapsed, forming the Great Darwin Bay. This exquisite bay is surrounded by cliffs and is home to frigatebirds and swallow-tailed gulls, the only nocturnal species of gull in the world. The island also provides sanctuary to an impressive abundance of noddy terns, lava gulls, tropic birds, storm petrels, Darwin finches and the world’s largest colony of red-footed boobies. Visitors will also find a magnificent crater lake in the centre of the island as well as a large Palo Santo forest. Genovesa Island’s remote location means it is typically only visited as part of longer itineraries but it’s remarkable birdlife as well as its diversity of exotic marine life make it well worth the extra effort.

Resting approximately 25 km northeast of Santa Cruz Island, in the exquisite Galapagos archipelago, the elongated shield volcano of Santiago Island, also known as San Salvador Island or James Island, is dotted with Holocene pyroclastic cones. The island’s best site is undoubtedly Puerto Egas where you will find a long, lava shoreline where eroded rock formations are home to an impressive variety of wildlife including an abundance of marine iguanas and fur seals. While geology aficionados should head to Sullivan Bay to witness its black lava flow covered with lava bubbles and tree-trunk moulds, diving enthusiasts can enjoy the renowed dive site of Cousin's Rock, a triangular rock that rises about 10 m (33 ft) out of the water and is made up of many layers of volcanic rock. Don’t miss Espumilla Beach which is fringed by a spectacular palo santo forest that shelters nesting Galápagos green turtles.

As one of the world’s foremost destinations for wildlife-viewing, this volcanic islet in the Galápagos Islands group makes an ideal stomping ground for avid nature enthusiasts. Charles Darwin was famously inspired to write his seminal work, ‘The Origin of Species’, after witnessing the veritable treasure trove of natural wonders exhibited on this extraordinary archipelago. Darwin was so intrigued by the unique landscapes, colourful rock formations and exotic wildlife of these islands that he named one of its most unusual islets after his close friend and fellow naturist, Sir Bartholomew James Sulivan. Today, Bartholomew Island is no less fascinating that is was in 1835 when Darwin first arrived. Visitors typically swim and snorkel around the iconic Pinnacle Rock where they are treated to an impressive natural world of penguins, marine turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, and other marine creatures, many of which are found nowhere else on earth.

With its dramatic red sand beaches and rich green vegetation, Rabida Island is located to the south of Santiago Island in the remarkable Galapagos archipelago. The geology of Isla Rabida sets it apart from the other Galapagos Islands, as it consists primarily of spatter-cone volcanic lava and eroded hills in extraordinary shades of red and brown. The island is also known for its excellent swimming and snorkeling opportunities where you can witness a remarkable diversity of marine life including green turtles, seals, dolphins, manta rays, sharks and tropical fish. Visitors can explore a popular walking trail that leads to a saltwater lagoon where you'll find large flocks of flamingos and white cheeked pintail ducks. This trail then continues towards the summit of the island’s volcano which provides awe-inspiring views of this exquisite island full of astonishing natural wonders.

This aptly named little island lies just off the southeastern tip of Santiago Island and, as its name suggests, is shaped like a traditional Chinese Hat. The island has a single landing site on the northern white-sand, crescent shaped beach. From here visitors can follow a walking trail where they are likely to spot Galapagos penguins,Galapagos sea lions, and Sally Lightfoot crabs. The trail leads to the western part of the island which features volcanic rubble, sharp outcroppings, and lava formations. Visitors to this otherworldly landscape are typically treated to the sight of marine iguanas wallowing in tidal pools while Galapagos hawks soar above their heads.