Information
Landmark: Isla IsabelaCity: Galapagos Islands
Country: Ecuador
Continent: South America
Isla Isabela, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, South America
Overview
Isla Isabela is the giant of the Galápagos, stretching across about 4,640 square kilometers-more than half the archipelago’s land-its volcanic slopes and varied landscapes making it the most diverse island of them all.Though it’s larger, it has fewer people and far less development than Santa Cruz, making it perfect for travelers chasing a remote, untouched feel-where you might walk a mile of beach without seeing another soul.With its jagged volcanic peaks, teeming wildlife, and wildly varied ecosystems, this island draws you in and makes every step an adventure.Isla Isabela rose from the sea where six shield volcanoes-Wolf, Darwin, Alcedo, Sierra Negra, Cerro Azul, and Ecuador-merged their dark, lava-carved slopes, creating one of the most geologically restless spots in the Galápagos.Sierra Negra Volcano boasts one of the world’s largest craters, a vast rim of rock stretching about 10 kilometers-roughly the distance of a morning drive across town.The island blends jagged black volcanic rocks with sprawling lava fields and pockets of lush highland greenery, a sharp contrast you can see even from the shore.Isabela’s mix of climates nurtures everything from dry, sun-baked shores to misty green highlands.Isla Isabela teems with rare wildlife, including bright pink flamingos and other species found nowhere else in the Galápagos.From dense mangroves to bright coral reefs, its varied habitats shelter creatures on land and in the sea.The single instruction is numbered one.On Isabela Island, giant Galápagos tortoises live in five distinct groups, each shaped by the rugged slopes of a different volcano.Up in the island’s highlands, cool mist and lush plants create perfect conditions for these tortoises to flourish.Number two.You’ll only spot Flightless Cormorants on Isabela and Fernandina, where, safe from predators, they’ve traded wings for strong legs and a knack for diving into the cold, choppy surf.They’re strong swimmers and nimble divers, flicking their small wings to steady themselves as they cut through the water.Three.Isabela hosts the largest colony of Galápagos penguins, the only penguins you’ll ever see living north of the equator, where they dive through cool, clear waters.You’ll often spot these little penguins slipping beneath the waves near jagged rocks or weaving through the roots of mangroves.Number four.On Isabela, the marine iguanas grow among the largest in the Galápagos, diving through chilly waves to graze on green algae clinging to underwater rocks.In breeding season, the males flash vivid red and deep green, like fresh paint catching the sun.Number five.Blue-footed and Nazca boobies often nest along the island’s cliffs, their pale eggs tucked into shallow scrapes in the rock.Blue-footed boobies draw attention with their lively mating dance, lifting bright turquoise feet in a jaunty step, while Nazca boobies are known for siblicide, with the stronger chick forcing out its weaker sibling.Number six stood alone, small and sharp like a chalk mark on a dark board.The Galápagos hawk, a top predator on the islands, often glides high over the black, sun-baked lava fields.Seven.Found only on Wolf Volcano, the rare pink land iguana-its skin the shade of faded rose petals-is among the newest species discovered in the Galápagos.Top sights to see and experiences to try, starting with number one.Sierra Negra Volcano boasts one of the world’s largest craters, a vast gray bowl stretching as far as the eye can see.It opens up to sweeping views of the lava fields, where dark rock stretches for miles, and the wild landscape rolls away into the distance.Hiking up to the crater rim is a favorite here, and for good reason-the trail winds past black lava rock and opens to sweeping island views.Step two is simple: vary the rhythm with a mix of short bursts and steady, medium-length sentences.Los Túneles, or “The Tunnels,” is a twisting maze of lava caves and stone arches carved long ago by erupting volcanoes.In the Galápagos, one of the top snorkeling spots lets you glide alongside sea turtles, white-tipped reef sharks, rays, and even tiny seahorses drifting like leaves in the blue.Three.Puerto Villamil, the main town on Isla Isabela, has a laid-back vibe-you might see barefoot kids kicking a ball down its sandy streets.It’s got beautiful beaches, cozy little restaurants, and that easygoing small-town charm you notice as soon as you hear the gulls overhead.Number four stood alone, written in dark ink on the corner of the page.Las Tintoreras is a cluster of tiny islets just off Puerto Villamil, where marine iguanas bask on black lava rocks and Galápagos penguins slip into the water beside lounging sea lions.The water lies smooth as glass, ideal for gliding in a kayak or spotting fish while you snorkel.Five.The Wall of Tears, or El Muro de las Lágrimas, is a haunting stone barrier built by prisoners in the mid-20th century, back when Isla Isabela served as a remote penal colony.safeNumber six.The Arnaldo Tupiza Breeding Center works to protect and raise Galápagos tortoises, caring for tiny hatchlings no bigger than a teacup.Visitors can watch tiny hatchlings shuffle beside century-old giants and discover how people are working to protect them.Seven.Concha de Perla is a calm, natural lagoon with water so clear you can see every ripple, perfect for slipping on a mask and snorkeling among the fish.Sea lions glide past, rays sweep the sandy floor, and flashes of tropical fish dart through the water.The number eight sat in bold black ink, simple yet steady on the page.Vicente Roca Point is one of the top spots for diving and snorkeling, where you might glide past hammerhead sharks, watch manta rays drift like shadows, and spot the massive, moon-faced sunfish.Cold ocean currents sweep through these waters, filling them with life-schools of silver fish flash just beneath the surface.The waters surrounding Isla Isabela burst with marine life-bright parrotfish dart between coral heads-making it a true paradise for anyone who loves snorkeling or diving.Top picks include Los Túneles, where black lava arches curve over clear blue water and sea turtles drift through the tunnels below.At Vicente Roca Point, you might spot a whale shark gliding past, a sunfish flashing silver in the light, and other giants of the sea.Concha de Perla is a calm, shallow lagoon where even first-time swimmers can drift over bright fish in clear water.Isabela’s isolation and untouched landscapes have kept its ecosystems largely intact, yet threats remain-plastic washing ashore is a constant reminder.Conservation efforts center on protecting endangered species, from the sleek Galápagos penguin diving into cold surf to the rare pink land iguana basking on sun‑warmed rocks.We work to control invasive species like feral goats and rats, which can strip hillsides bare and put native wildlife at risk.Sustainable tourism means making sure visitors leave only footprints on the island’s fragile shores.So, why make the trip to Isla Isabela?On Isla Isabela, you’ll find some of the Galápagos’ wildest and most varied landscapes, from black lava fields warm under the sun to quiet coves where sea turtles glide past.Isabela, unlike the crowded islands, stays wild and far-flung, with beaches where pelicans skim the waves.The islands are home to rare wildlife, from pink land iguanas basking on black lava rocks to sleek Galápagos penguins and the curious, flightless cormorants.Breathtaking volcanic terrain unfolds before you, crowned by one of the world’s largest craters, its rim jagged against the sky.You’ll find some of the best snorkeling and diving here, where sharks glide past, sea turtles drift like shadows, and rays ripple over the sand.It’s calm and untouched here, and you won’t find the busy crowds that pack Santa Cruz-just the quiet rustle of leaves in the breeze.Isla Isabela, with its jagged cliffs, teeming wildlife, and crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkeling, is a dream for both nature lovers and thrill-seekers.
