A coastline with mountainous terrain lining it. There is text on the image that reads, "Best things to do in Galapagos Islands".

15 Best Things To Do In The Galapagos Islands

ByJoseph Duff Hours

There are few destinations in the world that make it onto more people’s bucket lists than the Galapagos Islands. Made famous by Charles Darwin and the evolutionary epiphanies they inspired, the Galápagos Islands is a volcanic archipelago that draws nature and adventure lovers from around the world.

A far view of an island in the Galapagos. There is shallow water and sand with greenery.
(Photo courtesy of andbeyond.com)

Located in the Pacific Ocean, about 1,000km west of Ecuador (of which they are a province), the Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most incredible animal species anywhere in the world. In fact, almost all the islands in the Galapagos have species that are found nowhere else which is why the entire archipelago is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

An aerial view of the Galapagos. The water is deep blue and there are mountainous land masses in the back.
(Photo courtesy of lonelyplanet.com)

But while immersing yourself in nature is the key part of every Galapagos trip, there is so much more to see and do!

To help you get started, here is my rundown of the best things to do on your Galapagos adventure!

1. Visit Charles Darwin Research Station, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz

What better place to start than to pay tribute to the man who immortalized the Galapagos Islands at The Charles Darwin Research Station? Located near the main town of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island (the most populated in the Galapagos), the Charles Darwin Station is an international non-profit organization dedicated to scientific research.

The outside entrance of the Charles Darwin Research Station. There is a sign that welcomes people to the Exhibition Hall.
(Photo courtesy of The Darwin Foundation)

Visitors to the Charles Darwin Station can learn about the different studies being carried out, and see the breeding programs for the giant tortoises which give the Galapagos Islands their name (Galapagos means tortoise in Spanish.)

2. See the Giant Tortoises at El Chato Tortoise Reserve

Another great place to see the giant tortoises is at El Chato Tortoise Reserve. Located right next to the Darwin Station, this protected wildlife sanctuary keeps the giant tortoises safe from predators. This is crucial because many of the species are critically endangered due to loss of habitat and sailors during colonial times catching them for food. At the El Chato Tortoise Reserve, these gentle giants roam freely around and visitors can feed them by hand and even pet them!

A woman kneeling next to two tortoises surrounded by greenery at El Chato Tortoise Reserve.
(Photo courtesy of pizzatravel.com)

3. Watch the Sea Lions at Santa Cruz Fish Market

The Santa Cruz Fish Market is a social hub for the locals of Puerto Ayora where the catch of the day is sold for dinner that night. It is an awesome place to people watch, and, if you are staying in accommodation with a kitchen like me, you can also pick up some of the freshest seafood you will ever try. As long as a pesky sea lion doesn’t steal it first of course!

A sea lion peeking over the table at the Santa Cruz Fish Market. There are several people shopping at the market.
(Photo courtesy of venturebeneaththeskies.com)

That’s right, the Santa Cruz Fish Market is also one of the best places to get up close and personal with local sea lions. These giant mammals actually flip-flap through the crowds trying to get a freebie from the market stalls. Luckily, the stall holders are used to the sea lions’ mischief, particularly the baby sea lions, so they usually give them a fish or two to keep them quiet.

4. Go Diving with Hammerhead Sharks, Wolf Island

Definitely not one for the faint-hearted but scuba diving with hammerhead sharks is one of the Galapagos Islands’ most iconic experiences. These distinct-looking sharks can be seen snorkelling throughout the year in the Galapagos but they are most abundant in January.

An underwater shot of several hammerhead sharks and other fish swimming.
(Photo courtesy of scubadivingmaps.com)

Of the many dive sites in the Galapagos, Shark Bay at Wolf Island is most famous for hammerhead sharks, but last year, researchers found a hammerhead nursery near Isabela Island. Sadly for shark lovers, the nursery is off-limits to tourists at present because the Galapagos’ scalloped hammerheads are a critically endangered species.

Experienced divers can do a night dive when the hammerheads swarm when there are literally hundreds in one spot.

5. See the Marine Iguanas on Punta Espinosa

Located on the Bolivar Channel on the west side of Fernandina Island, Punta Espinosa is one of the best places in the Galapagos Islands to see marine iguanas in their natural habitat. In fact, there are so many that you may mistake them for old lava littering the beach.

A picture of two adult and two smaller marine iguanas on Punta Espinosa.
(Photo courtesy of sonurai.com)

Punta Espinosa is also an excellent kayaking spot as the terrain is quite hazardous for walking. If you are lucky, the point is also one of the best spots to see some of the marine life highlights of the Galapagos Islands including sea lions, humpback whales, pilot whales, Galapagos dolphins, and orcas. I even had a couple of flightless cormorants swim right up next to my kayak.

6. See the Galapagos Penguins, Isabela Island

Isabela Island is the largest island in the Galapagos and you will see below that there is so much to do on Isabela that you should spend at least a day there. One of the highlights is definitely the Galapagos penguins which nest on Isabela all year round because it is a secluded island so they can lay their eggs. Like many of the creatures in the Galapagos Islands, the Galapagos penguins are pretty unperturbed by people so you may even be able to snap a selfie!

A Galapagos Penguin staring off in the distance at Isabela Island.
(Photo courtesy of celebritycruises.com)

7. Get Up Close to White Tipped Reef Sharks, Isabela Island

Las Tintoreras, located near Puerto Villamil, is another iconic Galapagos Spot. It is an ocean inlet that cuts through the lava rocks, allowing you to stand right on the edge and see the marine life swimming up and down the channel. The name “Las Tintoreras” is a Spanish word for tiger sharks which can often be seen swimming in the channel along with white tipped sharks, sea turtles, and giant manta rays.

Two White Tipped Reef Sharks laying on the sea floor.
(Photo courtesy of discover.silversea.com)

8. Hike to the Wall of Tears, Isabela Island

If you have some extra time on Isabela Island, the hike to the Wall of Tears begins at Puerto Villamil not far from Las Tintoreras. The hike takes about an hour and ends at the wall that prisoners in the former Isabela penal colony were forced to build between 1945 and 1954. Locals call it the Wall of Tears because thousands are thought to have died constructing it, even though it serves no purpose at all.

The Wall of Tears, a wall like structure full of rocks sticking out, on Isabela Island.
(Photo courtesy of galakiwi.com)

The trail itself has some amazing scenery and is a great spot for bird watching, and I saw blue footed boobies, finches, and a sea eagle while trekking. Just be aware that like all of Isabela, the solidified lava flow that makes up the terrain is jagged and unforgiving so you definitely need real footwear. (BTW if you are a bird watching fan, Española Island is also worth a visit to see the nesting waved albatrosses.)

9. Hike the Sierra Negra Volcano, Isabela Island

For all-day boat tours to Isabela, hiking the Sierra Negra Volcano will give you some of the most breathtaking views anywhere in the Galapagos. The Sierra Negra is one of Isabela’s five active volcanoes and is also the most active having last erupted in 2018. The volcano reaches a peak of 1,124 meters and visitors must have a tour guide to take them up.

A far aerial view of Sierra Negra Volcano on Isabela Island.
(Photo courtesy of musement.com)

It is definitely not an easy trek, particularly in the equatorial heat, so make sure you are fit enough and drink plenty of water.

10. Explore Lava Tunnels, Santa Cruz Island

There are lava tunnels across the Galapagos Islands but the most easily accessible are the ones on Santa Cruz. These tunnels were formed by the underground flow of lava after volcanic eruptions and the Santa Cruz lava tunnels are right next to Puerto Ayora and included on most of the land tour itineraries. Some of the lava caves are not very well lit and the ground can be wet and uneven so make sure you wear proper shoes.

The inside of a lave formed tunnel on Santa Cruz Island. There is rocks all over the walk path.
(Photo courtesy of zentravellers.com)

11. Take a Kicker Rock Tour, San Cristobal Island

While there are sea lion colonies on most of the Galapagos Islands, San Cristobal Island has the largest. You can sip a cappuccino in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and watch them play among the boats, or go snorkeling at Carola Beach which is a 30-minute walk from the harbor. This was one of the highlights of my Galapagos vacation because I was able to get up close to the sea lion pups who swam right up to me.

A rock structure sticking outside of the water called Kicker Rock.
(Photo courtesy of zentravellers.com)

After that, take a boat off the coast of San Cristobal to Kicker Rock, which is the remains of the top cone of an extinct volcano. The cone has been eroded into two rocks which look a bit like a boot (hence the name, Kicker Rock) or a Sleeping Lion (its other nickname). The rocks are home to a number of colonies of marine birds including blue footed boobies and frigate birds. Kicker Rock is also an excellent snorkeling spot and one of the best places to see Galapagos sharks.

12. Check out Pinnacle Rock, Bartolome Island

Pinnacle Rock is one of the most iconic and photographed spots on the islands and is a guaranteed stop on every Galapagos cruise. It is an awe-inspiring volcanic formation on the western side of Bartolome Island, overlooking the channel that separates it from the far larger Isla Santiago. The beaches next to the bay adjacent to Pinnacle Rock are perfect for snorkeling, and if you’re lucky, you might see sea turtles and small reef sharks.

The Underwater Crater and Pinnacle Rock on Bartolome Island in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
(Photo courtesy of windows10spotlight.com)

13. Go Swimming in Las Grietas, Santa Cruz Island

Located on Santa Cruz, Las Grietas is honestly one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. The name means “the crevasses”, which is a poetic description of this enchanting spot. Las Grietas is formed by a rift between two tectonic plates which is filled with a mixture of fresh and seawater. This tranquil lagoon is surrounded on both sides by steep cliff walls, giving the spot a magical grotto-like feeling.

A person swimming in Las Grietas, Santa Cruz Island. There is a small area of water surrounded by rock structures.
(Photo courtesy of Finch Bay Hotel)

The water in Las Grietas is absolutely crystal clear and incredible for snorkeling. I saw scorpion fish, different species of sea horses, sally lightfoot crabs, and even a sea turtle when I was there. Speaking of which…

14. Hit the Beach at Tortuga Bay, Santa Cruz Island

Tortuga Bay is one of the best beaches in the Galapagos Islands and is a short 15-20 minute walk from Puerto Ayora. To get to Tortuga Bay, you just follow the signposts from the town which bring you first to the longer stretch of the beach which has hundreds of wild iguanas and lava lizards scurrying among the mangrove roots. When you get to the end of this beach, it curves around to the right and opens up into a sheltered, half-moon lagoon.

A Palo Santo tree on a beach at Tortuga Bay in Santa Cruz Island. There is a forest in the background and water to the left.
(Photo courtesy of travel.usnews.com)

The water here is completely still and is perfect for snorkeling with small sharks, sea turtles, and sea lions and their pups which swim right up to you. The beach itself has some of the softest, whitest sand you will ever see and is protected by palm trees providing much-needed shade. I spent the day reading Treasure Island underneath them and little birds would occasionally hop down onto my chest to eat the crumbs of my chips. Truly magical.

15. Head to Post Office Bay, Floreana Island

Post Office Bay may look like just another beach, but it is actually a slice of history. For centuries, it served as an informal mail stop for whalers and pirates who would stop at the Galapagos Islands to hide, repair their boats, or take the tortoises on board for food.

Post Office Bay on Floreana Island with a mailbox. Lots of wood pieces lie about.
(Photo courtesy of wikivoyage.com)

Today visitors can leave postcards for others to pick up and hand-deliver, continuing the tradition of the whalers who would leave letters for passing ships to take back home. Have a rummage among the barrels and signs and see what the travelers before you have left. Besides its history, Postal Bay also offers some great snorkeling opportunities where you can encounter sea turtles and rays.

Final Thoughts on the Best Things to Do in the Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are not just a vacation destination; they are a journey into the heart of nature!

Two sea lions on the beach on the Galapagos. One is perched up while the other lies down.
(Photo courtesy of lonelyplanet.com)

From witnessing the unique dance of the blue footed boobies to swimming alongside marine iguanas and sea lions, every moment on these islands is a profound testament to the incredible diversity of life on Earth.

A marine Iguana sitting upon on a rock structure overlooking the coast.
(Photo courtesy of civitatis.com)

Whether you are planning a Galapagos vacation on its own or as part of a bigger trip to South America, I guarantee that it will be an experience you never forget!

Interested in Additional Travels? check out these other locations that you’ll love:

“How boring would the world be if everywhere and everyone were the same. Safe travels and good adventures.” Scuba Jay

Similar Posts