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 center. 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 colors 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
The price is €132 per night from 29 Jul to 30 Jul
€132
29 Jul - 30 Jul
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! (351 reviews)
Helpful Staff and Great Location
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Reviewed on 25 Jul 2025

Hotel Fiesta
Ikala Galapagos Hotel

Ikala Galapagos Hotel

4 out of 5
Tomas de Berlanga 110 y Moises Brito, Puerto Ayora, Ecuador
The price is €225 per night from 30 Jul to 31 Jul
€225
30 Jul - 31 Jul
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Puerto Ayora. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (114 reviews)
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El Barranco Galapagos

El Barranco Galapagos

2.5 out of 5
Los colonos, Puerto Ayora, Galapagos
The price is €176 per night from 31 Jul to 1 Aug
€176
31 Jul - 1 Aug
Stay at this hotel in Puerto Ayora. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Popular attractions Malecon and Gus Angermeyer Ferry Terminal are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (11 reviews)
"amazing hotel and the best service the pool is the perfect spot to see seals, sea turtles, sting rays, sharks and pelicans , at night it’s quiet and the room was perfect. loved especially my balcony overlooking the docks."

Reviewed on 6 Jul 2025

El Barranco Galapagos
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.
Galapagos and Beyond

Galapagos and Beyond

4.5 out of 5
Indefatigable entre Duncan & Juan, Puerto Ayora, Galapagos
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury condo in Puerto Ayora. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and private hot tubs. Popular attractions Fishing Piers and Las Ninfas Lagoon ...
10/10 Exceptional! (5 reviews)
"Great stay! The rooms, the service, the breakfast, everything was great. Definitely stay here"

Reviewed on 26 May 2025

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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
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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