Tagus Cove

Created by the extensive lava flow of six volcanoes, of which five are still active, this 1800 square mile island is the largest in Galapagos. Tagus Cove was the favorite early pirate and whaler anchorage. Graffiti dating back to the 1800s is written on the rocky cliff. The trail leads to a salt-water lagoon and a great view of the lava fields, volcanic formation and the ocean. Explore this cove by panga (boat) or sea kayak where you will find Galapagos penguins, and other sea birds like blue-footed booby, frigatebirds, audubon shearwater, noddi tern and Galapagos hawk and marine life.

Urbina Bay

Located on the west coast of Isabela Island at the foot of the Alcedo Volcano, it was uplifted from the sea in 1954. The site is relatively flat, where the visitor has the opportunity to see coral heads and other marine formations left on the surface after the uplift. A walk will show land and marine iguanas and  (occasionally) giant tortoises. Flightless cormorants and pelicans nest along the coast during their breeding season. Here it is possible to snorkel.

Pta. Moreno

Here we may see lava fields, flamingo lagoons, some cormorants and penguins.

Elizabeth Bay

This place offers a panga ride to see penguins, cormorants, sea turtles and quiet mangrove lagoons.

Pto. Villamil

This village is located on the southeastern coast of Isabela Island. Pto. Villamil has some of Galapagos’ most beautiful beaches, along with a number of brackish water lagoons, which provide refuge to migratory birds that arrive in Galapagos. The Giant Tortoise Rearing Center can also be visited. Here National Park Wardens collect adults (to mate in captivity) and eggs of giant tortoises from the two southern volcanoes on Isabela Island. Hatchlings are raised for several years, and then reintroduced to their habitat. Another site that we visit in this unique area is Las Tintoreras, where without having to get wet you can watch white-tipped reef sharks. It is possible to snorkel in Pto. Villamil.

Volcano Sierra Negra

Located at the southern end of Isabela Island, this is one of the most impressive volcanoes of the Archipelago. Its caldera measures 10 Km across from north to south. A visit to this area is quite impressive in addition to its attractiveness. Following the rim of the caldera to the north, a site called “ Volcan Chico” is reached comprising of a group of small craters and fumaroles. If you head south to the end of the rim of Sierra Negra Volcano the so-called “ Sulphur Volcano” is reached, where huge amounts of sulphur are found due to the continuous action of the fumaroles.