San Cristobal, like many Galapagos islands, was formed by dormant volcanoes. Located east of the archipelago, it is one of the oldest islands. About 6,000 people live there, working in tourism, fishing, government, and limited highland farming on fertile volcanic soil. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, on the southwest tip, is the capital of the Galapagos. A Charles Darwin statue marks the harbor, where he likely first landed in the 1830s.

Kicker Rock, less than 5 km west of San Cristóbal, is the eroded remnant of a former tuff cone. Its Spanish name, Leon Dormido ("Sleeping Lion"), refers to its southern profile; the English name suggests James Colnett in 1794 likened it to landmarks in Portsmouth. It is actually two rocks: a 300 m by 100 m main rock about 150 m high, and a narrow obelisk-like rock separated by a 20 m-deep channel. Birdlife, sea lions, manta rays, hammerheads, and turtles are often seen nearby.

At Isla Bartolomé's Sullivan Bay, Zodiacs take guests ashore to climb a 388-step boardwalk through an arid volcanic moonscape. Watch for lava lizards, Galápagos Hawks, and Blue-footed Boobies. The reward is a stunning panorama toward Pinnacle Rock, with the black volcanic cones of Baltra, Daphne Major, and Daphne Minor in the distance. On the way down, notice the green pioneer plants against dark rock, then enjoy swimming and snorkeling from Bahia Dorada's golden beach.

Buccaneer Cove, on Santiago/James Island, is a colorful inlet named by pirates who once came seeking water, tortoises, and maybe hidden treasure. The landscape is the real treasure: red tuff cones, basalt dikes and sills, sea caves, and odd rocks like Bishop's Rock. Palo Santo and giant prickly pears grow here, with Isabela's volcanoes in the distance. By Zodiac, we may see Nazca and Blue-footed Boobies, Swallow-tailed Gulls, sea turtles, reef sharks, Galapagos sea lions, and fur seals.

Punta Vicente Roca, on the western tip of Isabela beside Ecuador Volcano, is a key marine site named for Vicente Ramón Roca. Its cliffs, caves, and lava tubes create dramatic coastal views. West-flowing currents bring rich food, attracting Pacific green turtles, sharks, rays, whales, dolphins, fur seals, seabirds, marine iguanas, and even Galápagos penguins and flightless cormorants. Deep-water snorkeling is possible.

With La Cumbre volcano in the distance, Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island is a striking lava coast. Hundreds of marine iguanas bask on black rock and defend their territories, while Galapagos sea lions and pups rest on the beach and play in shallow tide pools. Nearby, iguanas nest in sandy areas, and mangrove ponds are ringed by red Sally Lightfoot crabs and Flightless Cormorants drying their wings.

Tagus Cove, named for HMS Tagus (1814), is a sheltered bay on a steep rocky coast long used by ships and yachts. By the 1830s, visitors were recording visits on the rocks. Approaching the cove, you may see Galapagos Penguins and Flightless Cormorants. A trail through incense trees passes Darwin Lake to a viewpoint atop a splatter cone, with Medium Ground-Finches, Galapagos Hawks, Yellow Warblers, and Large-billed and Vermilion Flycatchers; Brown Noddies and Blue-footed Boobies line the shore.

Elizabeth Bay is a marine site on Isabela's west coast, between Alcedo Volcano and Sierra Negra. Its shores have mangroves, including a cove reached by a narrow channel with red, white and black mangroves. Las Marielas rocks host Blue-footed Boobies, Flightless Cormorants and Galápagos Penguins. The mangroves attract Great Blue Herons and Magnificent Frigatebirds; turtles, rays and sharks also use the bay, while small fish shelter in the shallow roots.

Floreana's Post Office Bay was used to leave mail for passing ships to deliver. First mentioned in 1813 as "Hathaway's Postoffice," it was said to be unused by 1835 after Floreana was settled in 1832. Today visitors use a barrel for postcards and hand-delivery. The bay also offers swimming, snorkeling, a nearby lava tube, and remains of a failed 1920s Norwegian fish cannery and settlement.

Champion Islet is a small islet about 700 meters off Floreana's northeast coast and one of four marine sites around the island. It offers excellent deep-water snorkeling, with curious sea lions, turtles, sharks, stingrays, and colorful fish. On Zodiac cruises, you may also see Nazca Boobies, Swallow-tailed Gulls, Red-billed Tropicbirds, and the rare Floreana Mockingbird.

Floreana Island's northern point, Punta Cormorant, is named for HMS Cormorant. From the landing beach, a short trail leads to a shallow flamingo lagoon, then over a low hill with Palo Santo trees to a white-sand beach. There you may see female sea turtles coming ashore to nest in the dunes. Guides may also point out White-cheeked Pintails, Blue-footed Boobies, Yellow Warblers, and Medium and Small Ground Finches.

Los Gemelos (The Twins) is a visitor site in the Santa Cruz highlands, about 15 km northwest of Puerto Ayora. The road between Puerto Ayora and Itabaca cuts through twin pit craters formed by collapse of an underground void. The smaller crater lies east of the road; the larger, west. Trails through Scalesia forest offer views of the craters and birdwatching, with Vermilion Flycatchers, Yellow Warblers, Galapagos Doves, Medium Ground Finches, and other finches often seen.

Silver Origin will anchor off Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, home to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center for giant tortoises and land iguanas, where guides explain captive breeding and reintroduction. The station also features prickly pear cactus trees visited by the Galapagos Cactus Finch. In Puerto Ayora, enjoy free time among local art galleries and corner cafés.

Cerro Dragón's land iguanas were part of a Charles Darwin Foundation/Galapagos National Park conservation program. After their numbers declined in the 1970s, some were bred in captivity and reintroduced to undeveloped areas. Today you can see the program's success by walking inland past small saltwater lagoons, sometimes with flamingos, to observe the reintroduced iguanas. In rainy periods, freshwater lowers lagoon salinity, reducing crustaceans and, in turn, shorebirds.

Guy Fawkes is a group of four islets on the northwestern side of Santa Cruz Island. These satellite cones rise from deep water and meet strong currents, creating a life-rich area. Their underwater cliffs are covered with sponges, corals, sea stars, and urchins, making it ideal for colorful deep-water snorkelling. Large fish schools, sharks, and manta rays are often seen. Guy Fawkes is one of the most exciting snorkelling sites-every dive is a surprise.

Set on the shores of Santa Cruz in the Galápagos, Bahia Bowditch offers a wonderfully wild introduction to one of the world's most extraordinary island groups. Think white-sand beaches, clear turquoise water and dramatic volcanic scenery, with chances to spot sea lions, marine iguanas and seabirds in their natural habitat.

San Cristobal, like many Galapagos islands, was formed by dormant volcanoes. Located east of the archipelago, it is one of the oldest islands. About 6,000 people live there, working in tourism, fishing, government, and limited highland farming on fertile volcanic soil. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, on the southwest tip, is the capital of the Galapagos. A Charles Darwin statue marks the harbor, where he likely first landed in the 1830s.