The second largest island… It is the largest of all the islands at 120 km long, and its total area is larger than that of all the other islands put together!
Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. The coast expanded half a mile out, leaving marine life stranded on the new shore. The island Isabela was named in honour of Queen Isabela of Spain who sponsored the voyage of Columbus. Isabela was once used as an exile for prisoners, who built the devastating Wall of Tears as part of their punishment. This article was most recently revised and updated by. The remarkably-shaped Isabela Island was originally called Albemarle Island by the first Galapagos explorers in 1684. It is the largest of all the islands, measuring 120 km long and greater in size than all of the other islands combined. The largest island, Isabela (Albemarle), rises to 5,541 feet (1,689 metres) at Mount Azul, the archipelago’s highest point. The bay's calm, shallow, clear waters are ideal for observing the incredible array of marine life. Tagus Cove on the northwestern side of the island provided a sheltered anchorage for pirates, buccaneers, whalers, and others. The Island's five volcanoes still produce volcanic activity. The 2,200 locals depend on tourism and fishing and welcome visitors. Just north of the town, the Villamil Lagoons contain shallow wetlands, mangroves, and are a great site for bird-watching. Penguins and Blue-footed Boobies can be spotted on the rocky islets. Our website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Isabela Island, largest of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.It lies in the eastern Pacific Ocean 600 miles (965 km) west of mainland Ecuador and has an area of 2,249 square miles (5,825 square km). Visitors and locals alike enjoy the relaxing beach paradise: extensive white-sand beaches, the turquoise-blue water, the sandy streets lined with palm trees provide a serene atmosphere. The largest of the Galapagos Islands, Isabela is one of the most volcanically active places in the world. Located in the Port of Villamil, the Concha de Perla can be reached via a wooden pathway. With an area of 4,640 square kilometres (1,792 square miles), it is the largest island of the Galápagos and occupies about 60% of all the land area of Galápagos. Here one can see flamingoes and a variety of migrant waders. An underwater volcano where divers can find Galapagos sharks, schools of hammerheads and barracudas. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Moreno Point (Punta Moreno) is located near Elizabeth Bay on the west coast of Isabela Island.
A birdwatcher's delight, this site attracts Blue Herons, Pink Flamingoes, and Brown Pelicans. Trails lead from the cove past Lake Darwin up to a ridge displaying wonderful views.
Locals claim to hear cries emanating from the heavy energy surrounding the site.
The island straddles the equator. Isabela Island, largest of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Isabel Island (disambiguation) This disambiguation page lists articles about distinct geographical locations with the same name. These tide pools often contain green sea turtles or white-tip shark. Volcán Chico is a collection of smaller cones in the northeast flank of Sierra Negra. Along the beach one can see iguanas, seabirds, and crabs, and on boat tours sea lions, Galapagos Penguins, and Blue-footed Boobies can be spotted. This area is also a great place for snorkeling. Surfing & Windsurfing, Stand Up Paddleboarding. The second largest island is Santa Cruz.…, The largest of the islands, Isabela (Albemarle), is approximately 82 miles (132 km) long and constitutes more than half of the total land area of the archipelago; it contains Mount Azul, at 5,541 feet (1,689 metres) the highest point of the Galapagos Islands. At the Tortoise Breeding Center, eggs are nursed in a hatchery and the giant tortoise adults are observed in supervised corrals. One of the most pristine visitor sites within the Galapagos National Park, here you can see a pahoehoe lava flow. Walk from Puerto Villamil through mangrove forests and saltwater lagoons to reach the Tortoise Breeding Center.
Its turquoise, crystalline waters are inhabited by white-tipped reef sharks, Galapagos penguins, marine turtles and sea lions.
The Point is the nesting site for flightless cormorants and home to a colony of the largest marine iguanas in the Islands. The site offers impressive views and the opportunity to observe up to 7 species of finch and a rich display of vegetation. The Wetlands of Isabela Island are located just outside of Puerto Villamil. To the west of Puerto Villamil there are various salt and brackish lagoons which house an impressive variety of coastal and sea birds. The red-lipped batfish can be found here, although no night diving is permitted in Galapagos, so it will be tricky to find them! Isabela Fast Facts. The Tintoreras Islets, located a short distance from Puerto Villamil, is home to a great variety of wildlife.
Tagus Cove is located on Isabela Island across from Fernandina Island, next to the Bolivar Channel that divides the two islands. Located on the northwestern coast of the island and comprised of two separate coves, this site is a large bay with spectacular sea life. This spot has been frequented by ships since the 1800s that used the area as anchorage. Visitors can swim and snorkel alongside tropical fish, sea lions, penguins and turtles and it is also possible to observe up to 20 bird species. Located north of Tagus Cove, also across from Fernandina Island, this beach is surrounded by mangroves. The Island's five volcanoes still produce volcanic activity. Urbina Bay is located at the base of Alcedo Volcano on the west coast of Isabela Island, between Tagus Cove and Elizabeth Bay.
Of the three oceans that extend northward from the Antarctic continent, the…. Seahorses, sea turtles, and the strange yet fascinating mola-mola (sunfish) may be spotted here. This area experienced a major uplift in 1954, causing the land to rise over 16 feet. With an altitude of 860m.a.s.l., the site provides amazing views of the volcanoes of Isabela as well as Fernandina.
Isabela Island is also home to many native Galapageños living in the Island's largest town, Puerto Villamil. Therefore, visitors can walk on relatively recent lava flows. Set-it-and-forget-it annual travel insurance from $135/year. A cave dive filled with surprises: from mantas to nudibranchs! A deep drift wall dive filled with Galapagos specialties: Galapagos groupers, Galapagos sheephead, Galapagos sharks and more. The volcanic Galapagos Islands consist of 19 rugged islands and scores of islets and rocks situated about 600 miles (900 km) west of the mainland. Isabela Island may refer to: Isabela Island (Galápagos) Isabela Island (Philippines) See also. The Wetlands consist of lagoons, swamps, and mangroves and are home to a variety of unique bird species such as common stilts, whimbrels, white-cheeked pintails, and gallinules. This is a nice area for a panga ride along the striking rocky shores and a great place to view Galapagos Penguins and shore birds. Can't-miss spots to dine, drink, and feast. The seahorse-shaped Isabela Island was originally named Albemarle Island for the Duke of Albemarle by Ambrose Cowley, one of the first men to ever set foot on the islands, in 1684. Five volcanic craters reaching an elevation of 5,540 feet (1,689 metres), two of which are still active, dominate the island’s centre; hills covered with forests, vines, and orchids separate them from the sandy coastline. Whether this is thrilling or terrifying is up to you. Elizabeth Bay is located on the east coast of Isabela Island. Villamil, the main port on the southern coast, handles the island’s products, including potatoes, cattle, wild hogs, reptile hides, and fish. The archipelago's largest island, Isabela, was formed by the joining of five young volcanoes. Places to see, ways to wander, and signature experiences. The bubbling fumaroles enhance the active volcano experience! At Isabela's remote northern tip the remains of a US World War II radar base line the shore. Whether this is thrilling or terrifying is up to you. Snorkeling offers the opportunity to view manta rays, penguins, marine turtles, and colorful fish.
This now historical site (El Muro de las Lágrimas), towering at 65 feet (25m) high, took the lives of thousands during its construction. It was named after Queen Isabella I of Castile. Here, visitors can also find the largest concentration of flamingos in Galapagos. Five sub-species of the Giant Tortoise exist on the island, yet their populations are threatened by introduced animals such as goats and cats. It doesn’t seem to bother the iguanas and penguins of Las Tintoreras, a nearby island cluster and popular snorkeling site. From 1945-1959, a penal colony hosted prisoners who were forced to build this wall, stone by stone, in isolation. Get kids back-to-school ready with Expedition: Learn! The Tortoise Breeding Center (also known as the Interpretation Center) is located nearby Puerto Villamil.
It lies in the eastern Pacific Ocean 600 miles (965 km) west of mainland Ecuador and has an area of 2,249 square miles (5,825 square km).
The Sierra Negra Volcano boasts the largest basaltic caldera in Galapagos at 9 x 10 km. With an abundance of marine life and clear water, the area is perfect for snorkeling and viewing schools of colorful fish, sea lions, and perhaps sharks or whales. The largest island, Isabela (Albemarle), rises to 5,541 feet (1,689 metres) at Mount Azul, the archipelago’s highest point. Darwin visited Tagus Cove in 1835. It was named in the 17th century for George Monck, duke of Albemarle, but now only its northern tip, cut by the Equator, is known as Albemarle. Isabela Island (Albemarle), Galapagos. It is a popular dive site where one is sure to find stunning marine life. Giant land tortoises gathered in a rain pond in the Caldera of Alcedo on Isabela Island, Galapagos Islands.
The most populated area of Isabela Island, Puerto Villamil is located on the southern coast of the island. It doesn’t seem to bother the iguanas and penguins of Las Tintoreras, a nearby island cluster and popular snorkeling site. Another area of interest is Punta Tortuga. While these volcanic regions contain extensive lava fields and little vegetation, the southern highlands and various other regions are covered by dense vegetation including the unique red mangrove. more. The largest of the Galapagos Islands, Isabela is one of the most volcanically active places in the world. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States.
A near-vertical wall of volcanic rock that plummets to the bottom of the sea, this dive site boasts the big stuff: manta rays, hammerheads, sun fish (Mola mola), and sometimes huge schools of the endemic salema. Create a Trip to save and organize all of your travel ideas, and see them on a map. Animals: Giant tortoise, large marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, penguins; Area: 1771 sq. A mix of the charming, modern, and tried and true. The last eruption was in November 1979. Which of these cities was once called Madras? There are also large numbers of land iguanas and a flamingo colony.