Isabela Island Tours, Galapagos – Volcanoes, Marine Iguanas & Pristine Wildlife

Isabela Island tours take you to the largest and most volcanically active island in the Galápagos archipelago. Home to six shield volcanoes — including Wolf Volcano, the highest point in the entire Galápagos at 1,707 m — Isabela is a raw, wild landscape where you can witness geology and wildlife evolution in real time. The island's dramatic terrain shelters the densest populations of marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, Galápagos penguins, and giant tortoises found anywhere in the islands.

Why Choose Isabela for Your Galápagos Adventure?

Isabela remains one of the least-visited and most pristine islands in the archipelago. Its remote location and limited tourism infrastructure mean you experience the islands much as Darwin did in 1835 — with wildlife that shows no fear of humans. The island's western coast is bathed by the cold Cromwell Current, creating nutrient-rich waters that attract whale sharks, manta rays, and dolphins year-round.

At Punta Moreno, brackish lagoons hidden in ancient lava fields shelter flamingos, herons, and white-cheeked pintails. Tagus Cove is a historic anchorage where whalers and explorers carved their ships' names into the cliffs — today it's the gateway to a stunning saltwater lagoon and a panoramic hike above Darwin Lake. Urbina Bay is famous for its coral reef that was uplifted 4 meters by volcanic activity in 1954, leaving marine fossils exposed on dry land.

Top Things to Do on Isabela Island

• Sierra Negra Volcano Hike — Trek to the rim of one of the world's largest calderas (10 km wide) for panoramic views across the western Galápagos.
• Tintoreras Islet Snorkeling — Snorkel alongside white-tip reef sharks resting in shallow channels, and spot Galápagos penguins and marine iguanas.
• Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Center — Visit the breeding program saving five subspecies of Isabela giant tortoises from extinction.
• Elizabeth Bay Kayaking — Glide through mangrove channels spotting penguins, sea turtles, and rays in calm, crystal-clear water.
• Wall of Tears (Muro de las Lágrimas) — Explore this haunting historical site built by prisoners in the 1940s, surrounded by wildlife and scenic coastal views.

Ready to explore Isabela? Combine your visit with tours on Santa Cruz Island or discover the wildlife of San Cristóbal Island. Browse our full collection of Galápagos tours to build your ideal itinerary.