Islands In Ecuador: A Curated List Of Picturesque Islands

Want to visit the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador? While Ecuador is famed for its Andean peaks and Amazon rainforest, its Pacific coastline is a captivating place for all tourists. The extraordinary archipelago is a UNESCO World Heritage site and boasts some of the most famous islands in Ecuador, drawing adventurers and nature enthusiasts from every corner of the planet. But what makes each of these volcanic specks in the Pacific so captivating? This blog will guide you through some of the most iconic islands and the unforgettable experiences they offer.

Table of Contents

10 Islands In Ecuador

This list of the top 10 islands in Ecuador includes islands famous for their natural beauty, volcanic shores and wildlife sanctuaries:

1. Santa Cruz Island

A rocky outcrop with sparse vegetation with sandy beach, one of the islands in Ecuador

Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons

Santa Cruz is the best islands in Ecuador and the central hub for Galapagos tourism. You can easily access the famous Islands from Puerto Ayora, its bustling main town and must visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to discover the islands’ unique ecosystems and conservation work. Witness the majestic giant tortoises roaming freely in their natural habitat at places like El Chato Tortoise Reserve. Explore the fascinating lava tunnels and the serene Tortuga Bay, which has a stunning white-sand beach perfect for relaxing and observing marine iguanas.

Distance From Nearest Drop-Point: 44.9 km from the airport
Nearest Airport: Baltra Island Airport / Seymour Galapagos Airport (GPS)
Best Time To Visit: December to May

2. San Cristóbal Island

Blue waters of the sandy beaches at the small island in Ecuador under the clear sky.

Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons

The easternmost island, San Cristóbal, has one of the two main airports, which makes it a common entry or exit point. It is famous for its lively sea lion colonies and dramatic geological formations. You can watch the playful antics of the sea lions at La Lobería and learn more about the islands’ history and ecology at the Interpretation Centre. Experience the boat rides to the iconic Kicker Rock, also called Leon Dormido, if you want to dive and snorkel amidst the sharks and rays. Frigatebird Hill offers a chance to see both magnificent and great frigatebirds, making San Cristóbal one, the best islands to visit in Ecuador.

Distance From Nearest Drop-Point: 22.2 km from the airport
Nearest Airport: San Cristóbal Airport (SCY)
Best Time To Visit: December to May

3. Isabela Island

Volcanic rock at the shore of the Isabela Island, one of the best islands in Ecuador

Photo: MasterfulNerd / Wikimedia Commons

Isabela is the largest island in the Galapagos and has a unique seahorse shape due to its volcanic origins. It has five active volcanoes. Hike up the rim of the massive Sierra Negra Volcano and visit the Wall of Tears built by the prisoners. You can observe flamingos at the Flamingo Lagoon and snorkel or kayak around Tintoreras Islets to spot the white-tipped reef sharks and Galapagos penguins. Isabela has a raw, rugged beauty perfect for land expeditions and rich marine explorations, which makes it one of the scenic islands to visit in Ecuador.

Distance From Nearest Drop-Point: 2.5 hours boat ride from Santa Cruz
Nearest Airport:
Best Time To Visit: June to November

4. Española Island

Seals resting on the white sandy Española Island, one of the famous island in Ecuador

Photo: David Broad / Wikimedia Commons

As the southernmost and oldest island, Española is home to several unique endemic species. It stands out among the famous Islands in Ecuador for its diverse wildlife. From April to December, the island is the primary breeding ground for the graceful Waved Albatross, a rare spectacle. Observe the Española mockingbirds and the vibrantly colored Marine Iguanas, whose skin takes on striking red and green hues during the mating season. Explore the Gardner Bay, which has a pristine beach, for sea lion viewing and snorkelling.

Distance From Nearest Drop-Point: 2-hour boat ride from San Cristóbal
Nearest Airport: Baltra Island Airport (GPS) / San Cristóbal Airport (SCY)
Best Time To Visit: April to December

5. Fernandina Island

A volcanic Fernandina island in Ecuador rises from the ocean under a bright blue sky

Photo: putneymark / Wikimedia Commons

Fernandina is the youngest and westernmost island. It is a pristine, untouched volcanic landscape, dominated by La Cumbre, it is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. You must explore the vast, untouched lava flows that look alien. They provide a stark backdrop for immense colonies of Marine Iguanas, the largest in the archipelago. Keep an eye out for Galapagos penguins and the unique flightless cormorants when you visit Punta Espinosa, one of the top islands in Ecuador.

Distance From Nearest Drop-Point: 3 hours from San Cristóbal Island
Nearest Airport: San Cristóbal Airport (SCY)
Best Time To Visit: June-Nov

6. Genovesa Island (Tower Island)

Aerial view of a coastal landscape with blue-green waters, one of the islands in Ecuador

Photo: David Adam Kess / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Genovesa Island is a remote, horseshoe-shaped island in the north, and the journey to it involves open water crossings. It is often called the “Bird Island” for a good reason; it’s a birder’s paradise. This island has large colonies of charming Red-footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies, and Great Frigatebirds, which display their impressive red gular sacs during courtship. The Genovesa Island is also home to the Swallow-tailed Gulls and several species of Darwin’s finches, giving you the best opportunities to observe the avian life. It is one of the best islands to visit in Ecuador

Distance From Nearest Drop-Point: 7 hours by ferry from San Cristóbal island
Nearest Airport: Baltra Airport (GPS)
Best Time To Visit: December to May

7. Bartolomé Island

Scenic view of a volcanic island in Ecuador with a narrow isthmus, beaches on either side.

Photo: Pete / Wikimedia Commons

Small but mighty, Bartolomé Island is famous for its iconic Pinnacle Rock. This is a distinctive volcanic spire that has become one of the most recognisable symbols of the Galapagos. You need to hike to the summit viewpoint for breathtaking panoramic photographs of Pinnacle Rock and the surrounding islands. The clear waters below are excellent for snorkelling, which means you can swim alongside playful Galapagos penguins and sea lions.

Distance From Nearest Drop-Point: 2 hours by yacht from Santa Cruz Island
Nearest Airport: Seymour Airport (GPS)
Best Time To Visit: January to March

8. North Seymour Island

Aerial view of a rugged island coastline with blue bays, surrounded by deep blue ocean

Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons

North Seymour Island is a low, flat island, formed by an uplift of the seafloor. It is famous for its incredibly close encounters with distinct bird species. The island is where you can watch the fascinating courtship dance of the Blue-footed Booby in their nesting sites, and observe the striking Magnificent Frigatebird colonies, with the males inflating their brilliant red throat pouches. Land Iguanas are also commonly seen here, making it a fantastic spot for wildlife photography.

Distance From Nearest Drop-Point: 1 hour by boat from the Itabaca Channel
Nearest Airport: Seymour Airport
Best Time To Visit: Year-round

9. Floreana Island

A rocky shoreline with waves crashing along the coast, an island on the Ecuador horizon

Photo: Stephen Montgomery / Wikimedia Commons

One of the earliest inhabited islands, Floreana has a colourful and mysterious human history. It is known for the infamous “Galapagos Affair” and the mysterious disappearances of residents, especially the Austrian baroness. You must take part in the unique tradition of Post Office Bay, where visitors leave and pick up mail from a historical barrel. You can snorkel or dive around Devil’s Crown, a submerged volcanic cone teeming with marine life, and visit Punta Cormorant to observe the flamingos in a saline lagoon.

Distance From Nearest Drop-Point: 2 hours by ferry from Santa Cruz Island
Nearest Airport: Baltra Airport (GPS)
Best Time To Visit: Dec-May to spot flamingoes

10. Santiago Island (James Island)

Panoramic view of the Santiago Island, with sunlight shimmering on turquoise water.

Photo: Peter Wilton / Wikimedia Commons

Santiago Island presents a range of landscapes and wildlife, which showcase different stages of volcanic activity and ecological succession. You must explore the intriguing Fur Seal Grotto, where you can spot Galapagos fur seals resting in shaded pools. Also visit Espumilla Beach, known for its ghost crabs, and walk across the striking, relatively recent lava flows at Sullivan Bay, which are a stark reminder of the islands’ volcanic origins.

Distance From Nearest Drop-Point: 2 hours from Santa Cruz Island
Nearest Airport: Praia International Airport
Best Time To Visit: June-Nov to view marine mammals
Modes Of Transport: Organised cruise tours

The islands in Ecuador, especially the iconic Galapagos, are the perfect destination to witness unique wonders. Whether you dream of snorkeling with penguins or simply stepping into volcanic sand, these islands provide a profound connection to the natural world. So, if you’re seeking a destination that offers unforgettable memories. Explore TripXL’s packages to plan your adventure to Ecuador’s island wonders, and get captivated by a world unlike any other.

Cover Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons

Islands In Ecuador: Escape To A Breathtaking World Of Nature And Ocean