The horseshoe-shaped island of Genovesa, located in the northeast of the Galapagos archipelago, is best known for its abundant bird life. Red-footed boobies can be found in significant numbers here, along with storm petrels, frigatebirds, mockingbirds and short-eared owls.

The aptly named Cerro Dragón, or ‘Dragon Hill’, is known for its population of land iguanas. These creatures were very nearly wiped out by feral dogs in the 1970s, but the conservation efforts of the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galapagos National Park have been very successful in protecting the iguanas and growing their numbers.

Española is the most southerly island in the Galapagos, and the remote location means it’s home to several endemic species, including the Española lava lizard and the Española mockingbird. In addition, the island is the sole breeding ground for the world’s entire population of waved albatrosses, which can be seen here between April and December.

Puerto Ayora is the largest town in the Galapagos, on the south coast of Santa Cruz island. From here you can visit the lush highlands where giant tortoises roam free, and you can learn more about tortoise conservation at the Charles Darwin Research Station.

Flamingos, cormorants and sea turtles can all be found around Floreana, and the island also has an interesting human history. This is the site of the famous Galapagos ‘post office’, a barrel where sailors would place letters to be transported home by passing ships.

The beautiful, volcanically active island of Isabela is home to the highest point in the Galapagos, Wolf Volcano, along with a rich variety of fauna. Giant tortoises thrive on the island, while the surrounding nutrient-rich waters attract whales, dolphins and penguins.

North Seymour island, named after the English nobleman Lord Hugh Seymour, is home to some of the biggest sea bird breeding colonies in the Galapagos. This is one of the best places to see the magnificent frigatebirds, along with blue-footed boobies and land iguanas.