PLACES OF INTEREST

• Santa Cruz Island: the main town, Puerto Ayora, is home of the Charles Darwin Research Station and Galapagos National Park headquarters. From them one can learn firsthand of the conservation and research efforts in the islands. One can also see the tortoise hatchlings and breeding programs that are saving several subspecies of tortoises from extinction. The tour of the Van Straelen Exhibit Hall will be the only opportunity to see the giant tortoises for most. A stroll through the town of Puerto Ayora (population 8,000) is good to buy souvenirs. Tourism, boot repair, fishing and agriculture are the major trades. Passengers on longer cruises may have an opportunity to visit the highlands of Santa Cruz. The scenery continually changes as one ascends through different vegetation zones. One can visit a pair of large pit craters called "Los Gemelos" (Spanish for "twins") and the largest lava tunnels found in Galapagos.

• San Cristobal Island:

1. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno: the Capital of the Galapagos Islands (population 4,000) and the oldest settlement. In 1985, an airstrip was built for flights to the mainland serviced by SAN Airlines. A small naval museum, souvenir shops and houses make up this small bayside village. Many tours begin and end their journey here.
2. León Dormido or Kicker Rock: a vertical tuff cone, abruptly rising almost 500 feet from the ocean. Erosion has split the rock and given its characteristic shape. Blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, frigate birds and sea lions line the shore.
3. El Junco Lake: when weather permits, you may visit the highlands of San Cristobal. By bus you reach the only sizeable fresh water lake in Galapagos where we find stilts, white-cheeked pintall ducks and common gallinules. We pass through several vegetation zones and the farming community, EI Progreso.
4. Isla Lobos: less than an hour from San Cristobal, Lobos Islet is a seasonal nesting location for the blue-footed boobie, although it is named for the sea lions sometimes present there.
5. Playa Ochoa: a small island just an hour from San Cristobal. A subtle introduction to the Galapagos with a short trail leading to a sand beach good for swimming. Brown pelicans and other Galapagos sea birds fly up overhead.

• Española Island:

1. Punta Suarez: this rocky point of land sustains one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galapagos. Along its southern shore, high cliffs rise up from the sea for a spectacular view of soaring birds and the famous blowhole. You'll meet a multitude of blue-footed boobies and masked boobies protecting eggs and young chicks. So awkward on land, the waved albatross perform a strange courtship ritual. Note: Wear good walking shoes
2. Gardner Bay: located on the northeastern portion of Espanola facing Gardner Islet, we find a good spot for swimming and snorkeling. On shore, we walk along the brilliant white sand beach. This site is favored by sea turtles for nesting, sea lions for snoozing and visitors for taking long peaceful walks. Notes: Bring bathing suit, towel, snorkeling equipment

• Floreana:

1. Punta Cormorant: one lands on a beach with olive-colored sand due to volcanic crystals of magnesium and iron. The trail leads to a brackish lagoon where there are flamingos (the pinkest in the world) surrounded by palo santo trees. Pass through a rich variety of plant life to reach a soft coral sand beach where sea turtles lay their eggs in the sand dunes. Spotted eagle rays swim along the shallow water, so watch where you step.
2. Devil’s Crown: a shallow sunken crater makes for one of the best snorkeling sites in Galapagos, This almost completely submerged volcano offers snorkelers the chance to play in the water with sea lions. One can see a wide variety of colorful fish in the clear blue water. One must be a good swimmer as currents can be very strong.
3. Post Office Bay: not the most scenic of the visitor sites, but probably one of the most famous sites in Galapagos. Here is where a post barrel was placed and put into use in the late 18th century by English whaling vessels. One is invited to leave a post card and to pick up any mail from your home area. Take a short visit to the remains of a Norwegian commercial fish drying and canning operation and a lava tube that extends to the sea.
4. Black Beach: an unofficial visitor site only visited under special arrangement. Visit the Wittmer pension and small settlement of Puerto Velasco lbarra. It's famous resident, Margaret Whitmer, arrived to Floreana in the 1930's and still lives here today with her daughter. Here you can have your post cards stamped with one of four seals, sample the homemade wine. Items for sale include Floreana t-shirts and signed copies of her book, Floreana.

• Santa Fe Island: walk through a forest of giant Opuntia Cactus to find the special land iguanas, different from the species found on South Plaza. There is normally time for a swim in crystal clear water with colorful fish, sea turtles, and schools of manta rays.

• Plaza Islands: one is greeted by numerous sea lions as one comes ashore, since this island is occupied by 1,000 bulls, cows juveniles and pups. A large population of land iguanas are found eating pads and flowers from the Opuntia cactus. Along the high southern edge, you'll see various sea birds and the bachelor sea lion colony. Snorkeling is possible although visibility is inconsistent.

• Santiago Island: Santiago is a dramatic island covered with recent lava flows, feral goats and wild pigs. At this landing, one can see the remains of a fish-drying enterprise. One can also walk along the coast toward the fur seal grottos, once thought to be on the verge of extinction. Here one can swim in deep pools of clear water. Marine iguanas graze on exposed green algae and intertidal marine life is abundant. Note: Bring swimsuit, towel and snorkeling equipment.

• Bartolome Island: one of the most photographed sites in Galapagos is Pinnicle rock, an eroded tuff cone. A 30-minute climb to a summit of a once active volcano offers a panoramic view of Sullivan Bay. The view is educational as well as an inspiring featuring lava formation - spotter cones and lava tubes. Afterward, there is time for snorkeling on the beach that lines the northern shore. Frequently, penguins are spotted in this area. Take a walk through mangroves to the southern beach. Here, you may see mating see turtles and white tipped sharks close to shore. Notes: Swimsuit, towel, snorkeling equipment

• Genovesa Island:

1. Darwin Bay: located at the northeast portion of the Galapagos, Tower is an outpost for many seabirds and is a favorite amongst birders. Darwin Bay is actually the crater of an extinct, partially eroded volcano, with the surrounding cliffs forming the inner portion of the rim. In a forest of salt bush, we find colonies of nesting great frigate birds and red-footed boobies. A coral beach offers a great snorkeling opportunity.
2. Prince Phillip’s Steps: this tour starts with a boat ride along the base of the cliffs. We see squadrons of frigate birds and red billed tropicbirds flying back and forth overhead. Red-footed boobies are perched on branches of palo santo trees. Take your time climbing the steep rock staircase. At the top, the trails leads to an open area of nesting masked boobies and great frigate birds. Storm petrels, found in the open lava fields at the end of the trail, are prey for the short-eared owls. Note: Wear good walking shoes

• Fernandina Island: along the shoreline hundreds of marine iguanas bask in the sun: the largest colony in Galapagos. A large colony of sea lions with resident bulls are present. Flightless cormorants build their nests on the point and often Galapagos hawks fly overhead. This is one of the most pristine islands with no introduced species to date. See the recent lava flows of an active nearby volcano.

• Isabela Island:

1. Tagus Cove: created by the lava of six volcanoes that flowed together, this 1800 square mile island is the largest in Galapagos. Graffiti dating back to the 1800's 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. A boat ride reveals marine life and Galapagos penguins. Five volcanoes are still active. Note: Wear good walking shoes
2. Alcedo Volcano: this is a long six-mile climb so one has to be physically fit. Usually done as on overnight trip where one must bring his or her own tent, camping equipment and food. Home to the largest population of giant tortoises (over 4000). Notes: Wear good walking shoes, carry fresh water