South America Vacations: Go Island Hopping on your Galapagos Islands vacation

Fear of seasickness should not deter anyone from embarking on a once in a lifetime tour of the Galapagos Islands. This archipelago includes a dumbfounding diversity of rare marine and land species, including blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, and Lonesome George, the land tortoise who is the last member of his species. Instead of hopping onto a cruise ship, consider spending each night of your Galapagos vacation in a comfortable land-based hotel on one of the islands. Even though some of the most remote island locations will be out of reach, Galapagos Island will still be able to enjoy a range of snorkeling, diving, and bicycle and walking activities tours through this incredible landscape.

Hotels and lodges are located on the biggest islands of the Galapagos: Santa Cruz, Isabela, and San Cristobal – a good Galapagos tours can cover a lot of ground by hopping between these three islands. At Santa Cruz Island, Puerto Ayora hosts the largest human population on the islands. Tour the beautiful beaches, explore the reefs full of sun-bathing sea-lions and salt-snouted marine iguanas, and put your snorkel gear on to explore the underwater attractions of Tortuga Bay, teeming with baby sharks, hammerheads, sting rays, and a kaleidoscope of other fishes. Also visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn more about the human and natural history of the Galapagos Islands.

Isabela Island is another island full of must see attractions, including the Isla Tortuga, Long Beach, and the infamous wall of tears, built by prisoners many decades ago. Marine iguanas are everywhere on Isabela Island, but this island is renowned for the number of wild tortoises that live here. At the Interpretation Center you can get up close to some of these species, including the giant Galapagos tortoise. Travelers will stay in Puerto Villamil, the main town on Isabela Island. Don’t miss the chance to tour the island on a bike, or dive at Cuatro Hermanos, a collection of islands and islets with spectacular marine life.

In San Cristobal, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is the capital of the Galapagos Province. On this island, you can take a tour to El Junco Lake, the largest freshwater reservoir on the island that is surrounded by abundant vegetation. Opportunities for diving around San Cristobal are abundant and the area will surprise you with the seemingly endless number of species you will see. This complete island hopping tour is ideally carried out in 8 days but can be shortened to less.