Isabela Island & Sierra Negra Volcano
The Fiery Majesty of the Island
A land forged by flame and shaped by time, Isabela Island is the wild heart of the Galápagos. At its center rises Sierra Negra, one of the largest volcanic calderas on Earth—a place where molten history is still written into the landscape. Here, the drama of geologic creation unfolds alongside quiet wetlands, roaming giant tortoises, and coral-fringed coves. It’s a setting where evolution feels alive, where raw Earth meets a vibrant sea.
Isabela is the largest and one of the youngest islands in the Galápagos, formed by the joining of six shield volcanoes, five of which remain active. It’s a place of extremes—arid lava plains cut by lush highlands, moonlike rock formations giving way to coral beaches teeming with life. Nowhere is this contrast more vivid than at Sierra Negra, whose massive caldera stretches nearly 6 miles across and offers one of the most accessible active volcanic landscapes in the world.
Trekking to the rim of Sierra Negra is a surreal experience. The trail ascends through misty forests where warblers flit through moss-covered trees, then opens suddenly onto a panoramic view of the blackened caldera floor. At times, wisps of steam rise from fissures below—a reminder that this volcano last erupted as recently as 2018. A longer trek to the neighboring Volcán Chico reveals fields of lava coils, fumaroles, and vibrant mineral deposits that glow red and gold in the equatorial sun.
While the volcanoes dominate the island’s geology, Isabela’s wetlands and coastlines support a stunning diversity of life. The humid zones are home to wild populations of Galápagos giant tortoises, often seen lumbering along the trails or soaking in shallow ponds. The brackish lagoons attract flamingos, pintail ducks, and other waterbirds, while marine iguanas line the rocky shores in dragon-like drifts.
Isabela is also one of the best islands for marine encounters. Snorkeling off the shores of Los Tuneles—where lava formations have created underwater arches and tunnels—reveals a kaleidoscope of reef fish, rays, seahorses, and sea turtles. Sea lions often swirl playfully around snorkelers, while white-tip reef sharks glide silently along the ocean floor.
The island’s remoteness and relatively light development make it feel wilder than its more visited siblings. Puerto Villamil, the only town on the island, retains a laid-back charm with sand streets, small lodges, and local fishermen hauling in the day’s catch. Conservation and community efforts here are strong, with locals deeply involved in protecting their extraordinary home.
To walk Isabela is to journey through deep time—to witness the Earth as it forms and reforms itself, and to encounter species that defy the ordinary. It’s a place for those drawn to the edge of things: tectonic edges, evolutionary leaps, and the quiet marvel of wilderness thriving on the lip of a volcano.
