Isla Isabela Trips & Tours

The youngest and largest of the Galapagos, Isabela was formed by the collision of six volcanoes. The crumbling line of rocks is rugged, striking and incredibly dramatic, and, to add a bit more excitement, five of the fiery craters are still active today. Resultantly, the scenery is a mass of twisty-turny lava flows almost entirely devoid of soil or vegetation, and, if you didn’t know better, you might wonder what all the fuss is about… And then, her secrets are revealed. Take a boat up to Tagus Cove, a natural harbour frequented by swash-buckling pirates and buccaneers, and watch the warblers, flycatchers and finches as they parade on by. Then there’s Elizabeth Lagoon and the Marielas Islets, a magnet for sea turtles, rays, pelicans and herons, the magnificent coral reef at Urbina Bay, a snorkeler’s paradise, and the enormous Sierra Negra volcano where hiking trails will lead you past spectacular views and short-eared owls. Last but not least are the Galapagos penguins, the only penguins found north of the equator and Isabela’s highlight. Take a dinghy along the cliffs, moor up in a sandy bay and watch as they tumble into the water and whizz through the waves.