AM: Isabela Island, Urbina Bay

Urbina bay

Photo: boydhendrikse

Urbina Bay is located at the base of Alcedo Volcano on the west coast, between Tagus Cove and Elizabeth Bay. This area experienced a major uplift in 1954, which caused the land to rise over 16 feet. The coast expanded half a mile out, leaving marine life stranded on the new shore. This area is also a great place to snorkel. Urbina Bay is a path that starts off with a wet landing. The course is approximately 3200m, and is made up of sand, pumice, lava, coral and vegetation where one can observe iguana burrows. It is an ideal place to see red and blue lobsters!

In Urbina Bay, you can see Darwin’s finches. Its main attraction is the land iguanas, which are larger than those in places like South Plaza Island and Galapagos. Tortoises also live in the wild; sometimes, even out of season, they are on the bottom of the islands. A large amount of vegetation can be observed such as chamomile and Rosewood, but among all these plants, the beautiful flowers of Darwin’s cotton, endemic to the Galapagos Islands, stand out.

PM: Isabela Island, Tagus Cove

Tagus Cove

Photo: boydhendrikse

Tagus Cove is located west of Darwin Volcano on Isabela Island. This was a favourite spot for pirates and whalers, and it was they who started the following tradition: the inscription of the names of boats. At the beginning of the trail, you will see a small cave where you will find inscriptions dating back to the 1800s.

Its name originated from a British warship that passed through the islands in 1814 looking for Galapagos Tortoises for food. Due to former eruptions, the substrate has a large amount of volcanic rocks of different sizes, among the most common are little balls of nearly spherical shape known as “lapilli” or petrified rain.

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