In total there are 54 tourist attractions, spread out over the different islands. Visits must be accompanied by a nature guide, using the designated visitor routes.

 

Isla San Cristobal

Two species of frigate birds and the Chatham mockingbird, endemic to the island, can be found here. In Punta Pitt there are also three species of booby to be appreciated. Lagoons and pure water streams also exist on the island.

 

Isla Floreana

Flamingos can be observed at the lake in Punta Cormorant and in its surrounding areas; sea lions and blue-footed boobies can be spotted. There is a semi-submerged volcanic cone called Corona del Diablo (The Devil’s Crown) which is ideal for snorkelling and deep-sea diving to observe corals and a diverse range of marine life.

 

Isla Santa Cruz

The Van Straelen Exhibition Centre in Puerto Ayora is an absolute must on visiting the Galapagos. The Centre offers nature walks passing through the infrastructure of the Galapagos National Park Service and the Charles Darwin Research Station. The Centre provides interesting information on geology, evolution, introduced and endemic species and human settlement on the islands. Following this path, one arrives at the tortoise breeding enclosure where the famous giant Galapagos tortoises can be observed and photographed.

 

Isla Isabela

This volcanically active island accommodates a wide range of interesting fauna such as giant tortoises, iguanas, flamingos and penguins. There is also a nature trail in the Puerto Villamil Breeding Centre, an important visitor centre where they take care of adult, adolescent and new-born tortoises.

 

Isla Santiago

Bahia Sullivan, Caleta Bucanero, Playa Espumilla and Puerto Egar are the main visitor attractions here. In this impressive volcanic landscape, flamingos and sparrow hawks are amongst the most eye-catching species which can be observed here.

 

Isla Espanola

Endemic species such as the albatross, the booby, lizards and iguanas can be spotted here. Repatriated giant tortoises also inhabit the island as a result of the Reproduction In Captivity Program carried out by the Galapagos National Park Service and Charles Darwin Research Station. It should be noted that these tortoises, however, are not on public display.

 

Isla Plata Sur

Only the eastern sector of the island can be visited where the Archipelago’s biggest sea lion colony is found. Iguanas can be spotted here. The island also houses a beautiful cactus forest.

 

Genovesa

One of the few places inhabited by the red-footed booby. The only island situated in the north of the Archipelago where it is possible to see sites of interest by foot, as opposed to by boat.

 

Fundacion Charles Darwin (The Charles Darwin Foundation)

The Charles Darwin Foundation was established in Belgium in 1959 with the support of the Ecuadorian government, UNESCO and UICN. The Foundation has worked for the Galapagos Islands since 1960 carrying out the necessary scientific research in order to conserve and protect the islands ecosystems and endemic species. The Foundation has promoted the importance of scientific knowledge of the Archipelago through activities carried out by the research station, like, for instance, investigations ensuring the protection and attempts to increase the number of endangered species and the control or eradication of introduced species. The Foundation has also helped establish a group of nature guides and scientists and has developed environmental educational programs for the islands inhabitants. The Research Station is present in Isabela, San Cristobal and Santa Cruz . The Research Station coordinates activities with the Galapagos National Park Service, which serves as a shining example of the collaboration between a private and public institution, whose principle concern is the protection and preservation of the Archipelago’s ecosystems.

 

Centro de Interpretacion San Cristolbal (San Cristolbal Interpretation Centre)

The Galapagos Interpretation and Environmental Education Project is financed by the Spanish government through the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation, the Spanish Institute for Nature Conservation, the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galapagos National Park Service. The Project consists of a number of different components including the construction of the Environmental Interpretation Centre in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. The history and conservation of the varying environments and ecosystems of the different islands will form part of the Educational Program through these channels in order to transmit the unique importance of the Archipelago to the rest of the world. The Centre consists of three separate buildings joined by gravel paths. There are two research rooms, one dedicated to natural history in order to discover how the islands formed millions of years ago, and the other dedicated to present day Galapagos. There is a small library in the Information Centre’s office which can be consulted by locals and visitors. There are a few research materials here mainly used in temporary exhibitions. There is also a projection room with a capacity of up to forty persons, an auditorium with a capacity of up to 250 persons, where the Environmental Education Program activities are carried