Galápagos Island Hopping
Island & Archipelago
Reptiles
Beginner
Ecuador — Galápagos
Year-round
Overview
Walk among giant tortoises, land iguanas, and lava lizards on volcanic islands.
Equipment
- Camera
- Water shoes
- Sun hat
- Waterproof bag
Safety Notes
- Never touch wildlife — strict national park rules
- Stay on marked trails to protect fragile habitat
Identification Tips
1
Giant tortoises at Santa Cruz highlands are easily found
2
Land iguanas bask on trails — look down!
3
Lava lizards are everywhere — males do push-ups to display
Species Checklist
| Species | Likelihood | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Galápagos Giant Tortoise | common | Santa Cruz highlands |
| Land Iguana | common | North Seymour and South Plaza |
| Lava Lizard | common | Every island, doing push-ups |
| Galápagos Hawk | uncommon | Perched on lava rocks |
| Flightless Cormorant | rare | Fernandina coast only |