Baltra, Egas port, Rabida, Elizabeth bay, Tagus cove, Sullivan bay, Bartolome island, Las bachas, North seymour island, Puerto baquerizo, Punta pitt, Puerto ayora

Baltra Island is a small arid island in the center of the archipelago of the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador. The island is not part of the national park but it is the only airport servicing the Galápagos

Salt was extracted from this site (locally known as Puerto Egas) in the 1920s and 1960s, and the remains of some buildings can still be seen. The salt-lake crater that is now home to white-cheeked pintails and the occasional flamingo was explored by Darwin in 1835. Nearby is Sugarloaf Hill, or Pan de Azúcar, a tuff cone 395 m (1,295 feet) high. Beyond the zone of former human activity the area becomes a natural wonderland. There are tide pools where large marine iguanas graze the sea lettuce, both in and out of the water, with many brightly colored Sally lightfoot crabs on the rocks.

Rábida is a relatively small, arid island with steep slopes. Most of the coastline is rocky except for a beach on the northeast side. Several small volcanic craters and the high amount of iron in the lava give the island its distinctive red color and overall appearance.

Landing is not allowed here, but small boats take visitors through a couple different sites. First, you visit a group of rocky islets called The Marielas on which you will likely observe a colony of penguins. The biggest colonies of penguins are found in this area due to the cooler waters of the west coast of Isabela. You can also see the largest marine iguanas because of the huge supply of algae--iguana food.

We will have a dry landing near Tagus Cove, a historic pirate hideaway where it was usual to record the names of the countless ships that passed through here on the cliff face. A large portion of the writing is graffiti left by the US Navy during the mid-1900's, but the names of more ancient vessels can still be found. We will then do a short hike through some beautiful landscapes to reach Darwin Lake, a small salt-water crater lagoon surrounded by tuff stone and inhabited by many bird species.

This fascinating volcanic site was named after Bartholomew James Sullivan, the first lieutenant on HMS Beagle, the ship that brought Charles Darwin to the Galapagos. The site features a pair of eroded scoria lava cones which were recently engulfed by pahohehoe lava. This recent (in geological terms) pahohehoe lava flow is considered one of the finest in the world. There are easy to spot tuff cones, miniature spatter cones, and the imprints of tree branches in the once molten rock all over the island. Though the lava flow is over 170 years old, it looks much more recent because of its isolation on the island. Pioneer plants such as Brachycereus cactus and the endemic herb Mollugo are starting to colonize the dark grey rocks and lava, preparing the way for other plant species.

Bartolomé Island is a volcanic islet in the Galápagos archipelago. Ecuador. The island offers some of the most beautiful landscapes in the archipelago and it is famous for its Pinnacle Rock, a towering spearheaded obelisk that rises from the ocean’s edge.

Las Bachas is a white sand beach located on the southwestern side of Santa Cruz island in the Galapagos islands. White sand is interspersed with rocks where easy and safe snorkelling can be practiced. The beach is a nesting site for the Pacific Green Sea Turtle, as well as home to pelicans and flamingos.

North Seymour is a small island near Baltra Island in the Galápagos Islands. It was formed by uplift of a submarine lava formation. The whole island is covered with low, bushy vegetation.The island is named after an English nobleman, Lord Hugh Seymour. North Seymour Island has an area of 1.9 square kilometres (0.73 sq mi) and a maximum altitude of 28 metres (92 ft). This island is home to a large population of blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. It hosts one of the largest populations of magnificent frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens) and a slow growing population of the Galápagos land iguanas (Conolophus subcristatus)

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is the capital of Galápagos Province, Ecuador. It is located on the southwestern coast of San Cristóbal, the easternmost island in the archipelago, and is the capital of San Cristóbal Canton. It was founded by General Villamil Playas in the mid-19th century, and takes its name from President Alfredo Baquerizo Moreno (1859–1951). Today, fishing is the main activity of the locals, but tourism is on the increase along the waterfront with numerous hotels and shops. Adult Galápagos sea lion resting on a park bench in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno .The town has a cathedral and it also contains the Centro de Interpretación of the Galápagos National Park, which was established in 1988, and a natural history museum.

Punta Pitt, located at the extreme eastern end of San Cristóbal Island, is reached by a 1400 meter (4953 feet) trail, with duration of about two hours. It is the only visitor site where you can see the three different species of boobies at one time as well as two species of frigate birds, all nesting in the same area, due to lack of competition for food. There are several scenic viewpoints thanks to the high volcanic tuffs.

Puerto Ayora is a town in central Galápagos, Ecuador. Located on the southern shore of Santa Cruz Island, it is the seat of Santa Cruz Canton. The town is named in honor of Isidro Ayora, an Ecuadorian president. The town is sometimes mistakenly referred to as Santa Cruz. Puerto Ayora is the most populous town in the Galápagos Islands, with more than 12,000 inhabitantsThe Main Avenue is named Avenida Charles Darwin and begins on the main dock of Puerto Ayora and finishes at the Charles Darwin Research Station. Home to the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galápagos National Park, Puerto Ayora is the center of the Galápagos conservation efforts. Island visitors may visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn the history of the islands and future conservation plans. North Seymour Island is an hour away by boat and has a wide array of animals with no people living on the island.

Baltra Island is a small arid island in the center of the archipelago of the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador. The island is not part of the national park but it is the only airport servicing the Galápagos