Galapagos, Isabela Island

Galapagos Islands, Galapagos tortoise The largest island in the archipelago is the 4588-sq-km-Isabela occasionally called Albemarle, which occupies over 58% of the entire land mass of the Galapagos. lt's a relatively recent island and consists of a chain of five fairly young and intermittently active volcanoes, one of which, Wolf volcano, is the highest point in the Galapagos at 1707m. There is also one small older volcano. Ecuador volcano.

This island is a marvelous one, however. There are a large number of Galapagos tortoises, and it looks like Isabela is going to become more important in Galapagos tourism in the years to come. There are many visitor sites on Isabela.

Punta Garcia consists mainly of very rough lava, a sharp, jagged lava; there are no proper trails, but you can land. Until recently, this was the only place where you could see the endemic flightless cormorant without having to take the long passage around to the west side. Recently, however, these birds have been present onLy intermittently, and visits to this site have declined.

Punta Albemarle used to be a US radar base during WWII. There are no trails, and the site is known for the flightless cormorants, which normally are not found further to the east. Further west are several points where flightless cormorants. Galapagos penguins and other seabirds can be seen, but there are no visitor sites. You must view the birds from your boat.

The first official visitor site on the western side of Isabela is Punta Tortuga, a beach at the base of Darwin volcano (1280m). Part of the land here was formed through a recent uplift.

Tagus Cove is located on the west coast, about two thirds of the way up Isabela, across the narrow channel from Fernandina. The land tour is a bit strenuous in that a steep climb is involved; some people with difficulty walking may want to remain on the boat. This is also another of those dry areas, and a sip of packed water may be refreshing after the uphill climb. The tour begins at a trail leading to a salt water lagoon. The trail then slopes up the base of the Darwin volcano, providing a great view of the fragile lava fields, the volcanic formations, and the ocean as well. continues...