Galapagos - Further Information

Fernandina

An active volcano with rugged slopes, unusual lava formations and a huge population of Land Iguanas. There are also sealions, Marine Iguanas, Sally Lightfoot Crabs, Galapagos Penguins and Flightless Cormorants.

Isabela

By far the largest island and home to some 6,000 Galapagos Tor toises around the volcanic slopes. There is an interesting uplifted coral reef and the brackish lagoons host egrets, flamingos and White-cheeked Pintails. South American Fur Seals are common around the coastline as are Galapagos Penguins and iguanas.

Santiago

Lava Lizards are common here and the island is good for birds such as Galapagos Dove, Galapagos Mockingbird and Galapagos Hawk. Land Iguanas, Sally Lighfoot Crabs, sealions and South American Fur Seals may also be seen.

Genovesa

Breeding grounds for the South American Fur Seal and sealions. The cliffs are home to Galapagos, and Madeiran Storm-petrel, Audubon's Shearwater and Red-billed Tropicbird. Look out for Lava Gulls too, the rarest gull in the world! Hammerhead Sharks also cruise along the coastline.

Bartolome

This small island famous for Pinnacle Rock, is home to Galapagos Penguins. Tur tles and White-tipped Reef Sharks may also accompany you while snorkelling here.

Seymour

This low flat island suppor ts the largest colony of Magnificent Frigatebrids in the Galapagos archipelago,while Nor th Seymour is home to Blue-footed Boobies, Swallow-tailed Gulls, sealions and Marine Iguanas.

Santa Cruz

Its rocky coastline and maze of mangrove-lined inlets is good for sea tur tles, sharks and rays. It is also home to a good population of tor toises, Land, and Marine Iguanas and birds - there are eight species of finches here! This is the home of the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Giant Tor toise breeding centre.

Floreana

Densely studded with volcanic cones and relatively luxuriant. There are nesting areas for tropicbirds, shearwaters and noddies on the island, a good lagoon for flamingos and several sealion colonies. The submerged volcanic crater of Devil's Crown provides one of the best snorkelling sites in the Galapagos.

San Cristobal

Home to frigatebirds, Blue-footed Boobies and sealions, this island was the first that Charles Darwin set foot on in September 1835

Espanola

Magnificent seabird colonies include Blue-footed, and Masked Boobies and Swallow-tailed Gulls. This is also the breeding site for Waved Albatross (although the colonies are deser ted from January to March).

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