Explore the Galapagos Archipelago!
Use the menu on the map to filter visitor sites on our land and sea excursions, as well as dive sites and wildlife markers.
Galapagos Islands Geography
Understanding the geography of the Galapagos Islands helps bring the archipelago into clearer focus. The islands lie approximately 1,000 km (600 miles) west of mainland Ecuador in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Spread across more than 8,000 square kilometres (3,000 sq miles), they are scattered over a vast marine reserve, with official visitor sites located on the four inhabited islands (Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela and Floreana) as well as across numerous uninhabited islands and islets.
Formed by volcanic activity along the Nazca Plate, the western islands sit closer to the hotspot and are geologically younger and more volcanically active, while the eastern islands are older, more eroded and often drier.
This interactive map of the Galapagos Islands highlights the key islands and visitor sites accessed on our Safaris. Use it to explore the relative location of Santa Cruz, Isabela and nearby uninhabited islands, and to visualise how the archipelago is laid out.
Galapagos Visitor Sites on the Map
Santa Cruz sits near the centre of the archipelago, making it a natural geographic hub. From here, visitor sites such as North Seymour, Bartolome, South Plaza and Santa Fe are reached by boat, while inland visitor sites include giant tortoise reserves, sinkholes, Scalesia forests, beaches and port towns, all of which support abundant wildlife.
Isabela, the largest island, stretches westward in a distinctive seahorse shape. Its visitor sites include dramatic lava formations, marine habitats and volcanic landscapes shaped by relatively recent eruptions. This island can be included as an optional Safari extension.
Galapagos Dive Sites on the Map
This map also highlights key dive sites across the archipelago. Aside from Wolf and Darwin, which require specialist liveaboard dive expeditions, many of the others can be accessed on our land-based Safaris.
Galapagos Wildlife on the Map
The map also highlights wildlife frequently encountered on our Safaris, as well as species commonly seen at Camp.