There are many other islands among the Galapagos Islands. The islands with the most activity are Santa Cruz, Isabela, and San Cristobal. It is on these islands where the most tourist activity and accommodations are found.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is the second largest island in size. It is the economic center of the Galapagos Islands. Puerto Ayora is the most populated town of any of the islands and plays home to most of the tourist centers. Most people who come to the Galapagos Islands stay in Puerto Ayora before they head out for their tours or cruises. The Charles Darwin Research Station is on Santa Cruz, close to Puerto Ayora and the hotels. Santa Cruz is home to one of the Galapagos Islands two airports.

Isabela

Isabela is the largest of the islands, bigger than all of the other islands combined, and is home to five volcanoes. This island is popular for trekking adventures because of the volcanoes and varied terrain. Puerto Villamil is the main town on Isabela. It is here that much research is done at a satellite center of the Charles Darwin Research Station. Tagus Cove is where visitors will see the Galapagos penguins.

San Cristobal

San Cristobal is the easternmost island and the island where Darwin first went ashore. It is also second in population. The island is made up of two volcanoes. What might be of most interest to tourists is Kicker Rock. This is a spectacular rock formation off the northwest coast. It is a result of a volcanic eruption, when the lava and seaweed mixed and hardened. San Cristobal is home to the Galapagos Islands’ second airport.

Fernandina Island

Fernandina Island is the youngest of the Galapagos Islands and is located just off the shore of its larger sister island, Isabela. Puerto Espinoza sits across the way from Tagus Cove. Here visitors can find marine iguanas, which gather in large groups and literally block the landing dock. The most notable bird on this island is the flightless cormorant. This bird has no predators, but this bird, following Darwin’s theory that animals adapt to their habitat, has had to learn to find their own food. Over the years, the bird evolved so their wings, feet, and tail are better adapted for swimming than for flying. Amateur scientists will marvel at evolution happening before their eyes.