DESTINATION FOCUS
ISLAND HOPPING From the sea, most of the islands look similar, but the similarities end once you step ashore. As Darwin discovered, each island has its own unique ecosystem and only a few creatures share more than one island. The following list gives a snapshot of the main islands.
Bartolomé:The signature landmark in the Galapagos Islands is Pinnacle Rock. We spent an afternoon hiking up to the top of a nearby hill for panoramic views of the pinnacle and the surrounding moonscape of lava forma- tions. Before heading back, we piled into the pangas to check out the penguins along the beach below the immense pinnacle.
Isabela: We spent a morning snorkeling and riding in the pangas near Vicente Roca, the largest and most volcanically active island in the chain. Other Isabela stops include narrow Tagus Bay, where the names of dozens of whalers and pirates still adorn the rocks at the landing site, and Urbina Bay to see the golden land iguanas.
86 WORLD OF CRUISING I Summer 2010
Santa Cruz: Most Galapagos residents live on Santa Cruz, the archipelago’s second largest island. The island’s main attraction is the Charles Darwin Station, where you can observe giant tortoise research and breeding programmes and see the world’s rarest animal – Lonesome George. He is more than 100 years old and it’s likely his parents were around when Darwin visited the islands. Of course when he dies, the Pinta tortoise species will become extinct.
Fernandina: This is the youngest of the fi ve big islands and home to the largest marine iguana colony in the Galapagos as well as one of the only places to see the fl ightless cormorants. Also a good place for penguins.
Santiago: Once called fur seals, 1905 fur traders hunted the Galapagos fur sea-lions to near extinction. They have since made a dramatic recovery and Santiago now provides a safe habitat for almost 40,000 animals. They are still a bit timid of humans, though, and tend to hang out in the grottos and rocks along the shore near Puerto Egas.
Rabida Island: Located about 3 miles south of Santiago, this tiny reddish-maroon islet is home to a red sand beach, large populations of sea-lions, pelicans and fl amingoes. The birds feed in the large salt-water lagoon and get their distinctive pink hue from feeding on the pink brine shrimp in the lagoon. On the far side of the island is a white sand beach, a favorite nesting spot for green sea turtles
San Cristóbal: The most eastern of the islands, San Cristóbal is home to the oldest settlement in the Galapagos. Its highland cloud forests are ideal habitat for giant tortoises, and shore excursions usually
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