Isabela Island: The Largest Galapagos Volcano Sanctuary

Galapagos Islands Archipelago

• Isla Marchena (Bindloe)
• Isla Pinta (Abingdon)
• Spanish Island (Hood)
• Isla Santa Fe (Barrington)
• Baltra Island
• Isla Genovesa (Tower)
• Isla Pinzon (Duncan)

Isabela Island

Description

Isabela Island is the largest of the archipelago, occupying over 58% of the total land area of the Galapagos Islands. It was established as a province on February 28, 1973. The access site, Puerto Villamil, is a small town and the only anchorage on the south coast of Isabela. Within the island, there are six major shield-shaped volcanic craters linked together, creating an area that is alive and in constant formation.

It is a hot island of the Galapagos archipelago and one of the most active volcanic regions. Half of the surface of Isabela Island is composed of large, sterile fields covered with lava and lunar landscapes; it is also a wonderful bird sanctuary.

Geographic Data

• County: Galapagos
• Height: N/A
• Size: 4,588 km²
• Population: 2,200 inhabitants
• Location: N/A
• Temperature: Two seasons; winter runs from November to February, and summer from March to October.
• Gastronomy: Ceviche and various seafood and fish dishes.

Beaches

You can visit Playa del Amor, a small sandy beach that reaches a shallow saltwater lake perfect for a relaxing bath. The Little Beach is a small stretch of fine white sand, ideal for enjoying the sun and nature surrounded by mangroves with a panoramic view of Puerto Villamil and its nearby islets. La Punta Tortuga consists of a large black sand beach with a dense population of mangroves in the rear. Puerto Villamil is a small town where streets are covered with white sand and surrounded by hundreds of palm trees.

Islets

• Turtle Islet: Located 15 km from Puerto Villamil, this is an ancient volcanic caldera of which only half remains above water.
• 4 Brothers Islets: Four small islets where hundreds of seabirds nest. It is an ideal place for diving, though landing is prohibited as it is a bird sanctuary.
• The Dyers: Named for the existence of lava with calm water, where whitetip reef sharks can often be seen resting.

Volcanoes

Inside the island, you can find the following volcanoes:

• Wolf Volcano: Located at the northeastern tip of the island, it is the highest in the archipelago.
• Chico Volcano: Located in the northeastern part of Sierra Negra.
• Sulfur Volcano: Located in the western part of the Sierra Negra caldera.
• Sierra Negra Volcano: Located 22 miles from Puerto Villamil, it features one of the world's largest volcanic calderas.

Gallery