Western Galápagos Cruises: Isabela and Fernandina

The west is the youngest part of the archipelago. Isabela and Fernandina sit over the hot spot, and cold water rising along their coasts feeds the sea. Two birds live here that you will not reliably see elsewhere: the flightless cormorant, recorded at Punta Espinosa, Urbina Bay and Tagus Cove, and the Galápagos penguin, most active from June to November. All 42 itineraries in the region reach both islands.

Itineraries run from 4 to 14 nights. Of the 1,161 upcoming departures with space, 216 are 7 nights, 280 are 14 nights and 155 are 6 nights. The shortest one that reaches both islands is 4 nights, and there are 34 of those.

Good all year. From June to November the water is cooler and rougher and carries more food, which is when the Galápagos penguin is most active and when the ocean sunfish is recorded at Punta Vicente Roca. From December to May the sea is calmer and warmer, which suits snorkelling.

Yes. The crossing to Isabela is usually made at night, and the water in the west is the coldest in the archipelago because the current rises along the coast. Catamarans sit steadier than single hull yachts. If you are sensitive, bring motion sickness tablets.

The region has 13 visitor sites, 11 on Isabela and 2 on Fernandina. Each departure follows one approved circuit, so Tagus Cove or Punta Espinosa is a question of the week, not only of the ship. Tell us your dates and we will say which sites that week reaches.