A place like no other

The Galápagos Islands are a collection of about 80 volcanic cones and rocky islets that straddle the equator 600 miles west of the Ecuador mainland.  You'll visit the far reaches of this archipelago for the best of the wildlife viewing.

Route Comparison

You will see most iconic Galápagos animals on both itineraries. These animals include giant tortoises, frigate birds, boobies, iguanas, Galápagos Penguins, sea lions, fur seals, finches, mockingbirds, sharks, rays, and sea turtles. One big difference is that only on the Eastern Route you will see Red-footed Boobies and from roughly April through November, the Waved-albatross, and only on the Western Route will you see the Flightless Cormorant.

Throughout the Islands

The Galápagos Islands lie at the intersection of several major scientific disciplines: geology, volcanology, plate tectonics, ocean currents, climate patterns, and, of course, wildlife and the theory of natural selection. Swim with Sea Turtles, Galápagos Penguins, and sea lions, discover giant tortoises in the wild, watch hundreds of marine iguanas basking in the sun and their much larger terrestrial cousins burrowing nests along park trails. Delight in brightly colored Sally-Lightfoot crabs, elusive ghost crabs skittering across sandy beaches, or mockingbirds curious about you. And on both routes, you'll see the iconic Blue-footed Booby, the ultimate clown prince of the Galápagos.

The Eastern Islands

Older, mostly the result of volcanic uplift, these islands are relatively flat, heavily eroded, and home to some spectacular birdlife, such as the world's only breeding site of Waved Albatross on Española Island, or masses of Red-footed Boobies and Great Frigate birds on Genovesa Island. If you're lucky, you may even see Short-eared Owls. In contrast, you’ll also walk on one of the youngest lava flows in the Islands on Santiago Island.

The Western Islands

Younger and actively volcanic, Isabela and Fernandina Islands are the sole home to the unique Flightless Cormorant. Walk on young lava flows and learn about plate tectonics and geological hot spots. Explore enormous lagoons, walk on white, red, and green beaches, snorkel in search of the elusive mola-mola, and learn about the colorful human history of Floreana Island. No day-boat tours reach the western visitor sites.