One of the youngest, Isabela Island is situated on the western edɡe of Galapagos archipelago close to the Galapagos hotspot. At nearly 1 million years old, the isle was formed by the merger of six shield volcanoes. The settlements of Santo Tomas and Puerto Villamil were founded in 1893. By 1905, island’s inhabitants were 200. Exports at the time were lime made from coral and sulfur mined from fumaroles. Tortoises were used for oil and meаt. Popular attractions include the Flamingo Lagoon and El Muro de las Lagrimas wall (built by prisoners at the time when the island was a penal colony). Both are located in the south of Isabela Island.
Isabela Island cruise terminal
Cruise ships to Isabela Island dock (anchor) at Puerto Ayora – port town on the on the southern shore of Santa Cruz Island.
The following map of Galapagos Islands cruise itineraries shows the two main routes and all island stops (ports / landing sites) in the archipelago.
