Isabela Island Safari Extension

After arriving on Isabela Island, settling into your hotel, and enjoying lunch, the afternoon is spent exploring Los Humedales, the island’s coastal wetlands.

This protected area encompasses sandy beaches, and viewpoints overlooking the bay, and is home to all four species of mangrove found in the Galapagos. A network of gentle trails weaves through the landscape, revealing the wildlife and flora of the coast.

Beneath the waterline, mangrove root systems serve as vital nursery grounds for fish, rays, green turtles, and sharks, while above ground the wetlands provide shelter for flamingos and penguins during the breeding season.

Wildlife sightings commonly include land birds such as black-necked cormorants, blue-footed boobies, and ospreys, along with Galapagos giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and sea lions.

You will also have a chance to visit the Isabela tortoise breeding center; a conservation project led by the Galapagos National Park that protects young tortoises during their early years. Once mature enough, they are released into the Los Humedales reserve, where they are often seen moving slowly along the trails.

Later, continue to the Wall of Tears, located five kilometres west of Puerto Villamil. Built between the 1940s and 1950s, when Isabela served as a penal colony, the wall was constructed by prisoners forced to carry volcanic rock across the island in harsh conditions. Although never completed, it is believed to have been intended as part of a larger prison complex.

Reaching the site is an experience in itself. The route begins on sandy trails before turning to rougher ground, following the coastline through mangroves and past beaches, viewpoints, and a small cemetery where some of the island’s early settlers are buried.

Standing before the wall today offers a stark contrast between the Galapagos of the past and the present. Rising eight metres high and stretching for more than a hundred metres, it is a powerful reminder of an era when the islands were a place of exile rather than exploration.

The prison colony eventually ended following a revolt, and many descendants of those who lived and worked here remain on Isabela today. Local folklore suggests the wall is haunted, and some say that, in quiet moments, the echoes of those who built it can still be heard.

Northwest of Puerto Villamil, Sierra Negra Volcano rises to 1,490 metres above sea level and is home to the second-largest active volcanic crater in the world. This broad shield volcano last erupted in 2005, sending fountains of lava hundreds of metres into the night sky.

Today, an 8km trail on the eastern side of the volcano leads to sweeping views across the island and, on clear days, out to neighbouring islands.

As you ascend, the landscape changes noticeably. The trail begins in the cool, misty cloud forest, where guava trees grow alongside a variety of birdlife. Your guide will help you spot Galapagos hawks, short-eared owls, flycatchers, and finches commonly seen along this route.

Higher up, the terrain shifts to stark lava fields, shaped by successive eruptions. These sections can be uneven underfoot, but they offer a striking contrast to the vegetation below. Upon reaching the six-mile-wide crater, the air often feels slightly warmer, a reminder of the volcanic activity beneath the surface. Walking along the rim reveals expansive views of the surrounding cloud forest, Isabela’s highlands, and the most recent lava flows within the crater itself.

Conditions vary with the weather. Trails may be muddy, and views can be obscured by cloud, although the crater’s altitude often places it above the mist when lower areas are overcast. As this is a private excursion, the route and duration can be adjusted, and there is no obligation to complete the full trail.

In the afternoon, continue with a short boat ride from Puerto Villamil to Las Tintoreras Islet. The first stop is offshore, near a small colony of Galapagos penguins.

The Galapagos penguin is the only penguin species found north of the equator and is listed as endangered. Conservation efforts, including the construction of artificial nesting sites, have played an important role in supporting the local population in recent years.

On land, explore the lava formations of the islet, including narrow channels and submerged tunnels where white-tipped reef sharks often rest. The surrounding waters are an important feeding ground for marine life, drawing a wide variety of species to the cooler currents around Isabela.

Along the shoreline and trails, blue-footed boobies, great blue herons, and large numbers of marine iguanas are commonly seen. The islet is also home to a marine iguana breeding colony, and during peak periods the trail requires careful footing.

The experience concludes with time to snorkel in the surrounding waters when conditions allow. Beneath the surface, sea lions, turtles, marine iguanas, and rays move among colourful schools of fish, offering a different perspective on Isabela’s rich marine ecosystem.

Read more: Isabela Island: Discover the Galapagos’ Largest Island