Mosquera is a tiny island located in the channel between North Seymour and Baltra Islands. It has one of the largest colonies of sea lions in the archipelago and this may be an attraction for the orcas (killer whales) which are sometimes seen there. Despite its size (120m by 600m), the island punches above its weight. It is teeming with wildlife including lava gulls, boobies, marine iguanas and Sally Lightfoot crabs. There are several great snorkelling spots where you may encounter rays, sharks and barracudas.
One of the youngest islands to rise out of the geological land and seascape that makes the Galapagos so famous, Isla Bartolome packs a punch. Sitting at just over 1.2 square kilometers, this island is home to some of the most scenic landscapes in the archipelago. Cratered mountains rise and fall in russet shades, the sea sparkles in visions of blue and green, and wildlife wonders punctuate every nook and cranny. Isla Bartolome is a popular spot to see penguins, reef sharks, turtles, lava lizards and more. The sea is full of spangled starfish and exotic shoals and the skies brim with hawks, herons, and finches too. Snap photos of the pioneer plant, hike the nature paths, and snorkel around the rising spire of Pinnacle rock.
Marchena is not populated and has no facilities for visitors. The surrounding sea is exceptional for diving and snorkelling. Punta Espejo is one of the best places for viewing marine wildlife, including hammerhead and Galapagos sharks, dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, rays, moray eels and garden eels.
Because of the large variety of birds living there, Genovesa Island is also known as the Bird Island. It is a tiny, uninhabited Galapagos island with a saltwater lake in the centre called Lake Arcturus. The main activities are visiting the bird colony via Prince Phillip’s Steps and visiting Darwin Bay. While there, kayaking will be fun but and snorkelling will be rewarding.
Catch sight of all the three major boobies along with honking sea lions and scenic viewpoints at Pitt Point and Witch Hill. Pitt Point you will find on the eastern shores of San Cristobel with its evocative beach landing ensuring you are met by the curious and friendly colony of sea lions who live there. Take a hike up the cliffside path to find the breeding site of the blue-footed booby, the red-footed booby, and the Nazca boobies too. Utterly unique, this is the only spot in the whole Galapagos where all three kinds of birds nest side by side. You also have the chance to see the mighty frigatebirds and views out across the wild and wonderful island. Witch Hill is on the northern coast of the island and is considered one of the most incredible landscapes in the Galapagos thanks to its long bleached-white beach and its inky black cliffs rising like a witches hat. This coral beach is impressive not only in sight but also in the wealth of wildlife wonders too - expect to see turtles, birds, seals and more making their home around this volcanic tuff cone.
One of the larger islands in the archipelago, it is named after the patron saint of seafarers, St Christopher. San Cristobal is inhabited and has its own airport and hotels. There is an abundance of local wildlife including famous giant Galapagos tortoises. Experiencing the wildlife is the main reason for visiting the Galapagos and no one will be disappointed here. Other activities on the island include hiking, diving, 4WD tours, eco and air tours. The island has the largest fresh water lake in the archipelago, Laguna El Junca which is a short uphill walk from the coast and is home to a large population of birdlife. On the island a large variety of food types is available including seafood, Ecuadorian, other South American, French, Italian, Middle eastern and many others.
Santa Fe Island is one of the oldest islands in the Archipelago of Galapagos, only about 24 square kilometres in size. The only visitor site on the island is Barrington Bay where you will find two hiking trails which lead across the island. A longer one leads to a cliff top view-site and the other through a forest of pear cacti where you will see iguanas waiting for the cactus fruit to drop. The island is home to a number of land, sea and air animals including some eponymous creatures like Doves, Hawks, Lava Herons, Petrels, Lava Lizards, Land Iguanas, Sea Lions, Sting Rays and Green Turtles. The lagoon in the bay is ideal for swimming, kayaking and diving.
South Plaza may be small in size but it makes up for it with its larger than life colour. Home to over a thousand sea lions, endless nesting bird colonies, and both land and marine iguanas, wildlife enthusiasts will be stoked to see exactly what they came to the Galapagos for. Step ashore and be wooed by the vibrant carpet of purple and red sesuvium and prickly pear cacti. Take nature hikes to see Darwin nesting finches, red-billed tropic birds, and swallow-tailed gulls along with the infamous boobies. Visit the sea lion colonies - made up of bachelor seals who party, bark, and jostle with each other in a crazy cacophony of sound. Hit the beaches where bone-white sand meets coral and cliffs and rocky corners. Snorkel with reef sharks and sea lions in the clear blue waters and enjoy a world where animals outweigh people.