Top Things to do in Isabela
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The 10 Best Nature & Parks in Isabela, Galapagos Islands
The largest of the Galapagos Islands, Isabela is one of the most volcanically active places in the world. Whether this is thrilling or terrifying is up to you. It doesn’t seem to bother the iguanas and penguins of Las Tintoreras, a nearby island cluster and popular snorkeling site. Walk from Puerto Villamil through mangrove forests and saltwater lagoons to reach the Tortoise Breeding Center. Isabela was once used as an exile for prisoners, who built the devastating Wall of Tears as part of their punishment.
Restaurants in Isabela
1. Isabela Island
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 82 reviews
Reviewed By pfefmeister - San Francisco, United States
Our yacht - Anahi - went around this lovely island from Puerto Ayora, up the west side, around the top, and back. Just an over the top varied selection of wildlife, with great hiking and snorkeling options along the way. Once you leave Puerto Viliamil, you leave civilization, with zero cell service until you return to Baltra. The further up the west coast of Isabella you go, the less ships you encounter, since it becomes too far to go for the day trippers. Make sure the boat you choose does the western route. The ride was also less choppy than trying to get to the further islands across the open ocean.
2. Turtle Island
3. Sierra Negra
4. Concha de Perla
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 943 reviews
Reviewed By StorkRN1 - Roseville, United States
Our tour group of 3 went snorkeling here late morning and it was fantastic! You have to walk over marine iguanas and sea lions on the boardwalk to the cove! Not super clear water like in Hawaii, but once I got used to it, I saw more and more! We saw sea turtles, bat rays, tons of fish, chocolate chip sea stars, a sleeping marble ray, about 60 black-tipped reef sharks, hundreds of sardines/mackerels(?), marine iguanas swimming (which is really cool to watch), and sea lions swimming with us! Amazing! I had a free afternoon the next day and went back. It was a little choppier, but still saw quite a bit! Didn't see nearly as much in the other 3 spots I snorkeled in the Galapagos as I did here!
5. Las Tintoreras
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 865 reviews
Reviewed By Hazel42
We enjoyed this guided tour hiking through lava formations and then snorkeling in the bay, where we saw sea lions, sea turtles, reef fish and baby sharks.
6. Centro de Crianza Arnaldo Tupiza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 485 reviews
Reviewed By Caramw - London, United Kingdom
A little path takes you past enclosures of adult tortoises (50-120yrs) - the breeding groups which are helping to repopulate Isabela island. They all hang out quite close to the path, so you can see them relatively close up, and if you visit on Monday, Wednesday or Friday mornings (feeding days), you can see them munching away on giant ‘Elephant Ear’ leaves! It’s great to see the conservation efforts up close for this endangered and critically endangered species, and a quick chat to the park rangers gave us the information we needed (the signage could do with improvement!) There are 2 species at the centre; some of them were rescued when a volcano erupted, others rescued from farms where humans tied them up by their back legs as ‘pets’ - their legs subsequently got gangrene and sadly had to be cut off. The centre does a good job of providing a safe and healthy living environment for these gentle giants while they get the population back up to where it needs to be. We also saw the juveniles 3–5 years in the middle, which are getting ready for release in the wild. Unfortunately you can’t see the babies up close due to security measures (you can see these better in the Darwin Centre in Santa Cruz). The museum area is a little tired, though I hear they have plans to renovate. Also loved the walkway to get here, past flamingoes and marine iguanas swimming in the wetlands. A great (and free) way to spend a few hours on Isabela.
7. Tagus Cove
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By pfefmeister - San Francisco, United States
This location provided a lovely hike up to Darwin Lake as well as close up views from the panga of dramatic rock formations. Lots of blue-footed boobies embedded in the rocks. Rich in wildlife along with a calm anchorage, this was one of my favorite stops on Isabella Island.
8. Urbina Bay
9. Elizabeth Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By HarryR140 - Ramat Hasharon, Israel
A lovely zodiac ride through the quiet back channels in this bay. View turtles and rays in the water, and birds on the shore. A lovely, soothing navigation.
10. Isabela Island Wetlands Complex
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
Reviewed By DwjTay - Niagara Falls, Canada
This is a great walk over to the tortoise sanctuary and on the way you will see iguanas, flamingos, and lots of other birds.
