Galapagos Islands Isabela – The largest wildlife paradise
The garden of Eden on earth
Galapagos Islands Isabela is the largest Galapagos Island formed by six volcanoes. This gave Isabela Island extraordinary landscapes with rich, unique and diverse flora and fauna.
There are two locations for arrival on Isabela Island. The northwestern section down at Tagus Cove can only be reached by cruise. In this region, you would discover and experience the calming solitude of the island with breathtaking water landscapes.
In the southern part of Isabela Island is the small town of Puerto Villamil, which is accessible by speedboat from Island Santa Cruz or with inter-island flights. With its crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches, it feels as if you are at the end of the world. There are many local restaurants around the square for you to satisfy your appetite and savour the taste of local cuisines. A range of small charming hostels and hotels are located in town and by the beachside. You should spend a few days here to enjoy the seclusion, tranquillity and the rare opportunity of having such proximity to the animals there. Most cruises do not stop in the south near Puerto Villamil. Please also note that the northern part of the island is not reachable from Puerto Villamil.
![_DSC4069](https://ecuador-pro.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/DSC4069-1030x687.jpg)
Attractions on the Galapagos Island Isabela
Within walking distance from Puerto Villamil is the Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center for the giant Galapagos tortoises (supported by the Swiss Association of Friends of the Galapagos Islands). Over the last decade, the center has done remarkably to increase and repopulate these creatures on the Galapagos Islands. You can visit a magnificent flamingo lagoon nearby as well.
The Sierra Negra volcano is indeed worth a day trip. At 1,500 meters high with a crater measuring 11 kilometers in diameter, it is one of the world’s largest craters. There are many hiking options, including the small and extinct Mt. Chico volcano.
The Tintoreras is an islet situated extremely close to Puerto Villamil with extremely high biodiversity. Visitors can go on a three-hour small boat excursion to see marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, blue-footed boobies, sharks and many other animals. An hour of snorkeling with sea turtles, rays, sea lions, colorful schools of fishes as well as friendly sharks is also included.
Los Tuneles is considered to be the most beautiful place for snorkeling on Isabela Island as the water is turquoise and crystal clear. The unique geological formation of this area is a result of the lava which flowed across it, forming a tunnel and cave-like structures. The mineral-rich waters and land allow marine wildlife and beautiful floral to thrive abundantly. Los Tuneles is home to a large number of seabirds such as the flamingos, blue-footed boobies and the magnificent frigatebirds. You can also swim among the Galapagos tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions, manta rays, Galapagos penguins, and white-tipped sharks.
If you have time, you should visit the Wall of Tears which is located in the western bay of Puerto Villamil. For 20 years, Island Isabela was an island for prisoners. The wall was built by prisoners under harsh weather conditions to make them suffer, and it is still believed to be haunted by the locals. You can rent a bike to get there, and due to rougher landscapes in the area, you will get to meet the Galapagos tortoises and other wildlife on your way.
Plants
Scalesia*, Galapagos Guava, Galapagos tree ferns*, various moss, grass, Myroxylon trees, Opuntia (Cactus)*, Mangroves, Galapagos Cotton tree, lava cactus* and orchids.
Animals
Three volcanic subspecies of the Galapagos giant tortoise, 10 species of Darwin’s Galapagos finches, green turtles, marine iguanas*, Galapagos penguins, the great flightless cormorant*, flamingos, Galapagos mockingbird*, Galapagos tyrant flycatcher*, blue footed boobies, brown pelican, noddy, the great Galapagos Iguana*, wild donkey, Galapagos sea lions*, lava heron, white-cheeked pintail, common moorhen, various species of herons, odonate (dragon flies), black-winged stilt, whimbrel, sanderling, American common ringed plover, Galapagos buteo.
*endemic – specific to this area
Isabela Island at a glance
Land Area: 4,588 km² – the largest island in the Galapagos
Highest elevation: 1,707 m
Population: 2,800 inhabitants
Settlements: only in Puerto Villamil in South Eastern Isabela
Volcanoes: 6 volcanoes (latest activity: Wolf Volcano in 2015)
Ways to get there: speedboat, cruise stop and propeller aircraft
Transport: E-cars, taxis, speedboats, cars and bicycle
Isabela Island Tours
![Animal Encounters](https://pictures.tripbuilder.app/pictures/tw_3xgeoztxbvjn.jpg)
Galapagos Island Hopping with Children
Duration: 7 - 9 daysHighlights: Penguins, Sea Lions, Giant Tortoises in the Highlands, Land Iguanas on Seymour, Blue Footed Boobies and Frigate Birds, White Sand Beaches
Child-friendly accommodation and exciting excursions for the whole family including animal encounters on Isabela Island
Price per pax
![Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz](https://pictures.tripbuilder.app/pictures/tw_0vwea2lpllov.jpg)
Best of Galapagos: Island Hopping (8-10 Days)
Duration: 8 - 10 daysHighlights: Galapagos Island Hopping, Santa Cruz and Isabela, Unique Flora and Fauna, Giant Tortoises in the Highlands, Land Iguanas on Seymour, Blue-Footed Boobies and Frigatebirds, White Sand Beaches, Penguins at the Equator, Hike the Volcano
Galapagos Pro invites you to explore the gorgeous Galapagos Islands, where nature dominates the landscape
Price per pax
![Incredible Snorkelling](https://pictures.tripbuilder.app/pictures/tw_haa2binqordf.jpg)
Galapagos's Best Snorkelling Tour
Duration: 11 - 14 daysHighlights: Kicker Rock, Pizón - Santa Fé, Los Tuneles, Las Tintoreras, North Seymour and Las Bachas, Charles Darwin Station
Snorkelling in the paradise of the Galapagos - visit the Galapagos Islands and discover 7 unique islands
Price per pax
![Friendly Locals on Isabela Island](https://pictures.tripbuilder.app/pictures/tw_scw1locq028n.jpg)
Galapagos island hopping - mission paradise
Duration: 15 - 15 daysHighlights: San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, Isabela - 7 days, Santa Cruz, English Speaking Guides, Charming Hotels , English Speaking Hosts, Including Domestic Flights, Including Inter-Island Flights, Including Speedboat Tickets, Including Transfers, Excluding Day Excursions, Prebook Your Day Excursions Now
Intensive tour - best route - choose excursions and hotels individually - natural beach on Isabela - german/english
Price per pax
✪ Isabela Island Tours ✪
![Animal Encounters](https://pictures.tripbuilder.app/pictures/tw_3xgeoztxbvjn.jpg)
Galapagos Island Hopping with Children
Duration: 7 - 9 daysHighlights: Penguins, Sea Lions, Giant Tortoises in the Highlands, Land Iguanas on Seymour, Blue Footed Boobies and Frigate Birds, White Sand Beaches
Child-friendly accommodation and exciting excursions for the whole family including animal encounters on Isabela Island
Price per pax
![Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz](https://pictures.tripbuilder.app/pictures/tw_0vwea2lpllov.jpg)
Best of Galapagos: Island Hopping (8-10 Days)
Duration: 8 - 10 daysHighlights: Galapagos Island Hopping, Santa Cruz and Isabela, Unique Flora and Fauna, Giant Tortoises in the Highlands, Land Iguanas on Seymour, Blue-Footed Boobies and Frigatebirds, White Sand Beaches, Penguins at the Equator, Hike the Volcano
Galapagos Pro invites you to explore the gorgeous Galapagos Islands, where nature dominates the landscape
Price per pax
![Incredible Snorkelling](https://pictures.tripbuilder.app/pictures/tw_haa2binqordf.jpg)
Galapagos's Best Snorkelling Tour
Duration: 11 - 14 daysHighlights: Kicker Rock, Pizón - Santa Fé, Los Tuneles, Las Tintoreras, North Seymour and Las Bachas, Charles Darwin Station
Snorkelling in the paradise of the Galapagos - visit the Galapagos Islands and discover 7 unique islands
Price per pax
![Friendly Locals on Isabela Island](https://pictures.tripbuilder.app/pictures/tw_scw1locq028n.jpg)
Galapagos island hopping - mission paradise
Duration: 15 - 15 daysHighlights: San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, Isabela - 7 days, Santa Cruz, English Speaking Guides, Charming Hotels , English Speaking Hosts, Including Domestic Flights, Including Inter-Island Flights, Including Speedboat Tickets, Including Transfers, Excluding Day Excursions, Prebook Your Day Excursions Now
Intensive tour - best route - choose excursions and hotels individually - natural beach on Isabela - german/english
Price per pax
![Sea Lions on Isabela Island](https://pictures.tripbuilder.app/pictures/tw_pblrposogthr.jpg)
Galapagos Island Hopping - Mission Paradise on a budget
Duration: 12 - 14 daysHighlights: Santa Cruz, Isabela - 7 days, Charming Hotels , Including Speedboat Tickets, Including Transfers, Excluding Day Excursions
Galapagos Pro offers 15 days in paradise - best routes, customised excursions and hotels, gorgeous beaches
Price per pax
![Ikala Galapagos Hotel](https://pictures.tripbuilder.app/pictures/tw_ov55kf6dbgic.jpg)
Galapagos Island Hopping Deluxe: Santa Cruz and Isabela
Duration: 8 - 10 daysHighlights: Ikala Hotel, Iguana Crossing Hotel, Land iguanas on Seymour, Blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds, White sand beaches, Penguins at the equator, Hike the volcano, Expert nature guides, Luxury excursion boats
Luxury abounds in the gorgeous Galapagos Islands, where nature dominates the landscape
Price per pax
![Travel with professional guides](https://pictures.tripbuilder.app/pictures/tw_h3h7wcqixhwn.jpg)
Ecuador Amazon and Galapagos: Kayak Tour
Duration: 12 - 16 daysHighlights: Explore the Amazon with Kayaks, Kayking in the Galapagos, Camping, North Seymour Island, Penguins at Isabela Island
Kayaking is like horse-riding but on water! This tour will bring you on an adventure in Ecuador and the Galapagos.
Price per pax
![Iguana Crossing Hotel](https://pictures.tripbuilder.app/pictures/tw_rma42lshuerx.jpg)
Galapagos Cruise Deluxe: Mission Paradise
Duration: 13 - 13 daysHighlights: Golden Bay Hotel, Iguana Crossing, Finch Bay Ecolodge, Isabela, Santa Cruz, English speaking guides, Boutique hotels, First class cruise ships, Includes intra-island flights, Includes domestic flights, Includes transfers, Excludes international flights
Live in the lap of luxury with Galapagos PRO.
Price per pax
![Room in Finch Bay](https://pictures.tripbuilder.app/pictures/tw_92moznj5ujow.jpg)
Galapagos Luxury experience at the Finch Bay
Duration: 9 - 9 daysHighlights: Pure relaxation, Finch Bay Eco Hotel, Trips with the Sea Finch, Island Santa Fé / Plazas, Tortuga Bay, All transfers, Full board
Travel and accommodation on the highest standard
Price per pax
![Dragon Hill at Santa Cruz Island](https://pictures.tripbuilder.app/pictures/tw_zxz2pgwdwwxy.jpg)
Ecuador & Galapagos trip with the experts 2026
Duration: 15 - 15 daysHighlights:
This trip is accompanied by Galapagos and Ecuador expert Beate Zwermann, founder of Galapagos PRO.
Price per pax
![Dragon Hill at Santa Cruz Island](https://pictures.tripbuilder.app/pictures/tw_zxz2pgwdwwxy.jpg)
Ecuador & Galapagos trip with the experts 2025
Duration: 15 - 15 daysHighlights:
This trip is accompanied by Galapagos and Ecuador expert Beate Zwermann, founder of Galapagos PRO.
Price per pax