Floreana Island

Travel Guide

Photo by Dave Lovely
Photo by Tove Martin
Photo by Tove Martin
Photo by Mark Rentz
Photo by Mark Rentz

This first-settled Galápagos island is a haven for bird enthusiasts, with scenic hiking trails amid lush highlands and superb snorkeling sites.

Enjoy a Galápagos experience on Floreana Island (Isla Floreana). This hilly island features many of the archipelago’s famous residents, including giant tortoises and sea turtles. Floreana Island is the island first inhabited by humans. Whalers arrived in 1793, followed by a shipwrecked Irish sailor in 1807, Ecuadorians in 1832 and later an Austrian baroness.

Puerto Velasco Ibarra is the main entry point and the island’s tourist centre. Sleepy sea lions often greet visitors arriving by boat to the town pier. Catch boats and tour buses from the town to the island’s coastal and highland attractions.

Cruise around the northern coastline to Cormorant Point, where you can mingle with sea lions, spot nesting sea turtles and watch flamingos at a lagoon. Visit Post Office Bay, the site of a makeshift mail box erected by the island’s earliest whalers. A short walk from here is a lava tunnel, accessible by climbing down a ladder.

Walk the trail that leads to a volcanic tuff called La Baronesa Lookout. Admire the views of red mangroves, Post Office Bay and Pajas Hill, looking inland. The lookout takes its name from the Austrian baroness Eloise Wehrborn de Wagner-Bosquet, who disappeared in mysterious circumstances in 1934. Nearby are the ruins of her former home.

Head into the heart of the highlands and visit Alieri Hill, which shelters nearly 50 different plant species. Peek inside pirate caves and get close to giant tortoises at Asilo de la Paz.

Be amazed by the vivid colours of the coral reef and fish while snorkeling at Devil’s Crown. Look up to see birds, such as boobies, frigate birds, pelicans and tropicbirds, swooping above the rocky cliffs. The offshore islets of Champion Island, Enderby Island, Gardner Island and Watson Island teem with green sea turtles and white-tipped reef sharks.

Discover Floreana Island on a day tour from Santa Cruz Island or include it on a multiday island-hopping excursion.

Hotel Fiesta

Hotel Fiesta

3.5 out of 5
Calle Moises Brito y Juan Montalvo, Puerto Ayora, Galapagos
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €133 per night from 28 Aug to 29 Aug
€133
28 Aug - 29 Aug
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Puerto Ayora. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 hot tubs, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (356 reviews)
"Great place for the money"

Reviewed on 13 Aug 2025

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Hotel Indigo Galapagos by IHG

Hotel Indigo Galapagos by IHG

4.5 out of 5
Isabela y Charles Darwin Manzana 40, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Galapagos
The price is €349 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
€349
1 Sept - 2 Sept
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Popular attractions Malecón San Cristobal ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (32 reviews)
"Beautiful in every way."

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

Hotel Indigo Galapagos by IHG
Hotel Cucuve

Hotel Cucuve

4 out of 5
Charles Binford 083 y Ave Charles Darwin, Puerto Ayora
The price is €207 per night from 20 Aug to 21 Aug
€207
20 Aug - 21 Aug
Stay at this 4-star B&B in Puerto Ayora. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (256 reviews)
Great hotel in Puerto Ayuro
"Excellent location, clean, friendly, and great breakfast. Highly recommend. Only caveat- the outdoor area on the water shown in photos is actually a couple blocks from the rest of the hotel. Not a big deal, but I was surprised."

Reviewed on 2 Aug 2025

Hotel Cucuve
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Villa Galapagos

Villa Galapagos

2.5 out of 5
Fragata y Av. Seymour, Puerto Ayora
Stay at this vacation home in Puerto Ayora. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and premium TV channels. Popular attractions Fishing Piers and Gus Angermeyer ...
"着いて早々にダブルブッキングがわかった。これは施設というよりも、貴社のシステムの問題。前回も宿泊名簿に名前がなかったこともあり、強く改善をもとめる。"

Reviewed on 16 Aug 2019

Villa Galapagos
Galapagos Coliving Ecuador Casa Tuna

Galapagos Coliving Ecuador Casa Tuna

3 out of 5
Miconia, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly apartment in Puerto Ayora. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and balconies. Popular attractions Fishing Piers and Gus Angermeyer ...
Galapagos Coliving Ecuador Casa Tuna
!Disfruta de comodidad mientras conoces la maravillosa isla de San Cristóbal

!Disfruta de comodidad mientras conoces la maravillosa isla de San Cristóbal

2 out of 5
San Cristobal
Stay at this vacation home in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Monument to Charles ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"This property was excellent ! I stayed here with my family, including kids and we have ample of space. Bedrooms were spacious and huge. Bathrooms were clean. I communicated with the host on WhatsApp and she was quick and responsive. All our questions answered and very accommodating. The main area ..."

Reviewed on 30 May 2025

!Disfruta de comodidad mientras conoces la maravillosa isla de San Cristóbal
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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