Isabela Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Island

Facts and practical information

Located in the Galápagos region of Ecuador, Isabela Island is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. With its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and rich marine life, this volcanic island offers a unique and unforgettable experience for travelers.

One of the main attractions of Isabela Island is its impressive volcanic formations, including the Sierra Negra volcano, one of the most active in the Galápagos. Hiking to the rim of this volcano provides visitors with breathtaking panoramic views of the island and its surrounding waters. The lava fields and calderas serve as a reminder of the island's volcanic origins and offer a fascinating glimpse into its geological history.

For those interested in wildlife, Isabela Island is home to a variety of unique species, both on land and in the water. The island is a haven for Galápagos penguins, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and giant tortoises, among many others. Snorkeling and diving enthusiasts will be delighted by the opportunity to swim alongside sea turtles, sea lions, and an array of colorful fish in the crystal-clear waters surrounding the island.

In addition to its natural wonders, Isabela Island also offers cultural and historical attractions. The small town of Puerto Villamil is a charming fishing village where visitors can explore local markets, sample fresh seafood, and learn about the island's history at the Centro de Crianza Arnaldo Tupiza, a tortoise breeding center. The Wall of Tears, a haunting monument built by prisoners during the 1940s, is another must-visit site that offers a glimpse into the island's past.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty of activities to keep them entertained on Isabela Island. From kayaking through mangrove forests and paddleboarding along the coast to surfing the island's world-class waves, there is something for everyone. Guided hikes, bike tours, and boat trips to nearby islands are also popular options for exploring the diverse landscapes and ecosystems of the Galápagos region.

Local name: Isla Isabela Area: 1818.92 mi²Maximum elevation: 5600 ftArchipelago: Galápagos IslandsCoordinates: 0°33'34"S, 91°11'1"W

Location

GalápagosEcuador

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Isabela Top Attractions

Isabela Attractions - What to See and Explore

Isabela offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Sierra Negra, Volcán Wolf, Cerro Azul, Alcedo Volcano. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Active volcano with giant tortoises
Sierra Negra
Sierra Negra is a large shield volcano at the southeastern end of Isabela Island in the Galapagos that rises to an altitude of 1124m. It coalesces with the volcanoes Cerro Azul to the west and Alcedo to the north.
Islands' highest peak with unique shape
Volcán Wolf
Wolf Volcano, also known as Mount Whiton, is the highest peak in the Galápagos Islands. It is situated on Isabela Island and reaches 1,710 m. It is a shield volcano with a characteristic upturned soup bowl shape.
Active volcano with a caldera lake
Cerro Azul
Cerro Azul is a shield volcano on the south western part of Isabela Island in the Galápagos Islands. At a height of 1,689 m it is the second highest peak in the Galapagos and due to its topographic prominence of over 1,500 m it is categorised as an ultra.

Island volcano featuring wild tortoises
Alcedo Volcano
Alcedo Volcano is one of the six coalescing shield volcanoes that make up Isabela Island in the Galapagos. The remote location of the volcano has meant that even the most recent eruption in 1993 was not recorded until two years later.
0°57'53"S • 91°0'49"W
Wall of Tears
The Wall of Tears is a historical site 5 km west of Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
Nature • Natural attraction • Volcano
Volcán Ecuador
Volcán Ecuador is the smallest of six shield volcanoes comprising Isabela Island of the Galápagos with an elevation of 790 m. It contains a caldera that is breached to the west by edifice collapse. The caldera floor is largely covered by youthful lava flows and contains several chains of spatter cones and small scoria cones.

Day trips

Isabela – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Isabela, it's worth seeing attractions such as: La Cumbre (Fernandina), Galápagos Marine Reserve, Puerto Villamil.

29 milesNW
Natural attraction, Volcano
La Cumbre, Fernandina
La Cumbre is a shield volcano on Fernandina Island in the Galápagos Islands. La Cumbre is also the youngest volcano in the Galápagos Islands. La Cumbre began erupting again in April 2009.
45 milesNE
Natural attraction, Nature, Marine reserve
Galápagos Marine Reserve
The Galápagos Marine Reserve lies a thousand kilometres from the Ecuadorian mainland and covers an area of around 133,000 km2. The Galápagos Islands and the surrounding waters represent one of the world’s most unusual ecosystems and are rich areas of biodiversity.
31 milesSE
Village
Puerto Villamil
One of the main attractions in Puerto Villamil is its incredible wildlife. Visitors can explore the nearby Galápagos National Park, home to an incredible array of unique species, including the iconic Galápagos penguins, marine iguanas, and giant tortoises.
34 milesE
Natural attraction, Volcano
Isla Rábida, Rábida Island
Rábida Island, is one of the Galápagos Islands. The 5 km² island has also been known as Jervis Island named in honour of the 18th-century British admiral John Jervis. In Ecuador it is officially known as Isla Rábida.
45 milesE
Island
Isla Guy Fawkes
Isla Guy Fawkes is a collection of two crescent shaped islands and two small rocks north-west of Santa Cruz Island, in the Galápagos Islands, which are part of Ecuador.