Both the number of tourists visiting the Galápagos Islands, and the number of visitors to each site where landing is permitted is controlled. The areas where visitors are allowed sometimes change in response to conservation needs. Trails are laid out for visitors, which they must strictly adhere to. Below are some of the main visitor sites.

Santa Cruz
Main inhabited island and starting point of most Galápagos cruises. Puerto Ayora the main tourist centre is on the south coast, as is the Charles Darwin Research Station. Landscapes vary from sandy beaches to forest highlands and a wide variety of animals, birds and sea life can be seen here. To the north, Isla Baltra hosts one of the Galápagos Islands main airport. South Plaza is a tiny island off Puerto Ayora teeming with wildlife including sea lions, land iguana, and blue footed and masked boobies.

San Cristobal
Main town, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, is the administrative capital of the Galápagos Islands and has an excellent display in the local Interpretation Centre. Site of one of the few fresh water lakes on the islands, and another main airport. Has good trails and wildlife viewing opportunities. Isla Lobos a nearby islet is a nesting site for sea birds and has a large sea lion colony. Nearby Kicker Rock has large colonies of seabirds.

Isabela
The largest of the Galápagos Islands, made up of 5 volcanoes. Sparsely populated, mainly by fishermen. White sand beaches, rocky inlets and mangroves line its long coastline. Elizabeth Bay is home to green turtles, rays, sharks, reef fish and many birds. From Tagus Cove a trail leads up Darwin Volcano. Mariela Islets, near to Elizabeth Bay are populated by a small colony of penguins.

Floreana
Sparsely inhabited with a gentle pace of life. Punta Cormorant has a brackish lake normally inhabited by flamingos and a beach that is an important nesting site for turtles. To the west is Post Office Bay, where following ancient maritime tradition, travellers leave letters home and take those of others to deliver. To the north is Devils Crown, an amazing snorkelling site. Rays, turtles and white tip reef sharks may all be seen.

Española
Española is the most southerly and oldest island. Home to large colonies of blue footed and masked boobies, and in season the waved albatross, at Punta Suarez. Sealions, marine iguana, hood mocking birds, finches, tropic birds, swallow tail gulls, Galápagos hawk and the famous blow hole, may all be seen. Gardner Bay has several sea lion colonies.

Santa Fé
A tiny island between Santa Cruz and San Cristobal covered by cacti. Home to an endemic sub species of land iguana and sealions, amongst others.

Santiago
Once the site of an salt mining enterprise this island is now uninhabited. At Puerto Egas marine iguanas, sea lions and wading birds can be seen. The grottos of fur seals are also nearby. Historically Buccaneer Bay was a hide out for pirates.

Bartholomé
A small island to the East of Santiago famous for its ‘Pinnacle Rock’ which can be climbed. Also has a lovely beach where penguins, white tipped reef sharks and rays may be seen.