Explore by island
Galapagos Islands Map:
Explore Island
by Island
Handcrafted island tours led by certified naturalist guides. Wildlife encounters, volcanic landscapes, and pristine beaches — all at your own pace.
Santa Cruz
Isabela
San Cristobal
Galápagos Islands Names & What Makes Each One Different
Unique Experiences on Every Destination
Galápagos Tours & Island Adventures
Galapagos Honeymoon Tour: 6-Day Romantic Island Hopping
- Giant tortoises at El Chato
- Las Tintoreras sharks and penguins
- Private candlelit dinner on Isabela
Galápagos Tours for Seniors: Relaxed-Pace 5-Day Itinerary
- Gentle boardwalk lava tunnels & tortoises
- Flamingo Lagoon on flat walk
- Easy snorkel at Concha de Perla
Galápagos Island Hopping Itinerary: 5 Days (Santa Cruz & Isabela)
- Snorkel Los Túneles lava arches
- Hike Sierra Negra volcano
- Wild giant tortoises at El Chato
Galápagos Family Vacation: 6-Day Island Hopping
- Baby tortoises at breeding center
- Shallow snorkel with penguins & sharks
- Bike ride to the Wall of Tears
Galapagos Island Hopping 7 Days: Santa Cruz, Isabela & San Cristóbal
- Snorkel Kicker Rock with sharks
- Hike Sierra Negra volcano
- Snorkel Los Túneles lava arches
Galápagos Island Hopping Budget Tour: 4 Days
- Tortuga Bay beach and wildlife
- Las Tintoreras sharks & penguins
- Free snorkel at Concha de Perla
Map of Galápagos Islands: Island by Island
Reading a map of Galápagos Islands from west to east tells you a lot about each island’s age and access. The western islands are the youngest and most volcanic; the eastern ones are the oldest. Here is where the main islands sit and which ones you can stay on.
| Island | Position in the archipelago | Inhabited? |
|---|---|---|
| Fernandina | Far west (youngest) | No |
| Isabela | West (largest) | Yes |
| Santa Cruz | Center (main hub) | Yes |
| Santiago | Center-north | No |
| Bartolomé | Center (off Santiago) | No |
| North Seymour | Center (by Baltra) | No |
| Floreana | South | Yes |
| Española | Far southeast (oldest) | No |
| San Cristóbal | East (capital) | Yes |
| Genovesa | Far northeast | No |
The inhabited islands, Santa Cruz, Isabela, San Cristóbal, and Floreana, are where land-based travelers base themselves; the rest are visited on day trips or cruises.
The Galápagos Archipelago Map: West to East
Following the Galápagos archipelago map from west to east traces the volcanic hotspot that built the islands. Fernandina and Isabela in the west sit directly over the hotspot and are still erupting; Española and San Cristóbal in the southeast are millions of years older and worn down. Genovesa sits alone in the far northeast.
Galápagos Islands Coordinates
The Galápagos Islands coordinates centre on roughly 0.0° latitude and 90.5° west longitude. Because the archipelago straddles the equator, some islands lie in the northern hemisphere and others in the southern. The islands sit on the Nazca tectonic plate, over the volcanic hotspot that continues to build new land.
Distance Between Galápagos Islands
The distance between Galápagos Islands is short enough to island-hop but long enough that you fly in and then travel by boat. Passenger speedboats (fibras) connect the inhabited islands: Santa Cruz to Isabela is about 2.5 hours, Santa Cruz to San Cristóbal about 2 hours, and Santa Cruz to Floreana about 2 hours. The two airports, on Baltra (next to Santa Cruz) and San Cristóbal, are the entry points.
How to Use the Map to Plan Your Trip
Once you can read the map, planning gets easier. Base yourself on a central island like Santa Cruz and most day trips and ferries are within reach; the western and far-northern islands (Fernandina, Genovesa) need a cruise. For the activities at each stop, see our things to do in Galápagos guide, or start with the full Galápagos Islands guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many islands are on the Galapagos map?
Where are the Galapagos Islands located on a map?
Which Galapagos island is closest to mainland Ecuador?
What is the distance between the Galapagos Islands?
What are the main inhabited Galapagos islands?
What are the Galapagos Islands coordinates?
Which Galapagos islands can you visit without a cruise?
Ready to Plan Your Galápagos Trip?
Once the map makes sense, the rest falls into place: pick a base island, line up a few day trips, and let the ferries do the island-hopping. We build land-based routes around exactly that.
The Real Picture
A map turns the Galápagos from an abstract dream into a plan you can actually book. Learn where the islands sit and which ones suit a land-based trip, and the archipelago opens right up.
This map page is part of our complete Galapagos Islands Guide. When you know which islands are calling you, our land based Galápagos tours connect them in one multi-day, island-hopping itinerary.
Not sure which tour to choose?
Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll create a customized proposal for you, free of charge.