Getting there
By boat or light flight from Santa Cruz, to the largest island
Best for
Galápagos penguins, flamingos, volcanoes, snorkelling, marine iguanas, tortoises
The land
The largest, youngest island, built of five volcanoes
Good to know
Isabela holds more wild giant tortoises than all the other islands combined
What it is
Isabela is the largest Galápagos island — penguins and flamingos, volcanic landscapes and some of the archipelago's finest snorkelling.
Built of five volcanoes, Isabela Island is the largest and youngest in the archipelago. Its waters hold Galápagos penguins and sea turtles, its lagoons flamingos, and its lava coast marine iguanas and flightless cormorants. Snorkelling at Los Túneles and Las Tintoreras is among the best in the islands, beneath brooding volcanoes.
The reason to come
The volcanic island
Isabela offers penguins, snorkelling and volcanoes at the islands' largest.
Penguins & snorkelling
Galápagos penguins and superb snorkelling at Los Túneles.
Flamingos & lagoons
Flamingos on the coastal lagoons.
Volcanic landscapes
The five volcanoes and lava coast of the largest island.
Worth knowing
Penguins on the equator
Isabela's cool waters hold Galápagos penguins — the only penguins found north of the equator.
When to come — honestly
A year-round island.
Year-round
Best
A year-round island; every month rewards.
December – May
Good
Warmer seas, best for snorkelling.
June – November
Good
Cooler, plankton-rich seas and active marine life.
Reached by a small boat crossing or light flight from Santa Cruz; the crossing can be choppy.
Context
The largest island
Isabela offers the islands' best snorkelling and its penguins and volcanoes.
It is a highlight of island-hopping trips.
We add Isabela for penguins, snorkelling and volcanic landscapes, the wildest of the inhabited islands.
Beyond the obvious
More to Isabela Island.
Penguins & snorkelling
At Los Túneles.
Flamingo lagoons
On the coast.
Volcanoes
The five-volcano island.
Why Wild Voyager
We match you to the right islands and ship.
The Galápagos reward the right route and vessel. We match a cruise or island-hopping option to the wildlife you most want to see, and handle every park permit, flight and transfer.
Handpicked stays
We choose the lodge and guides that fit your goals, not whatever is left.
We time it right
We build your visit around the season and the wildlife that delivers.
Where to stay
Where you’ll stay in Isabela Island
Signature Collection
Luxury Collection
Classic Collection
Plan your Isabela Island trip.
Snorkel with penguins on volcanic Isabela. Tell us your dates and we will build the route around it.
Plan a trip