When journeying the Galápagos Islands, Baltra Island (Isla Baltra) is often the first stop. Bartolomé serves as a principal hub and airport gateway for holidays and adventures in the Galápagos Islands.
This small island inside the Pacific, with an area of 27 rectangular kilometers and an elevation of 100 meters, derives its call from unknown origins. It is likewise called South Seymour Island.
Baltra Island is possibly one of the most visited islands in the Galápagos Archipelago, not just for its visitor sights but also because it hosts one of the most important airports inside the Galápagos. Thousands of vacationers from around the arena visit yearly; they use it as a departure factor to discover the Galápagos Islands, Santa Cruz Island, or Isabela Island.
Baltra Island Map
| Name | Baltra Island (Spanish: Isla Baltra) |
| Country | Ecuador |
| Province | Galápagos |
| Coordinates | 0.457212°S 90.274332°W |
| Area | 21 km2 (8 mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 |
| Population | Ecuadorian Navy and Air Force personnel |
| Airport | Seymour Airport (GPS) |
How to Get to Baltra Island
Every day, there are flights from Guayaquil and Quito to Baltra Airport. Two airlines operate flights to the Galápagos Islands: Avianca and Latam.
Flights to the Galápagos Islands are subject to special control measures to protect the islands from invasive species and manage migration.
Baltra Island Airport
Name of Baltra Airport: Galápagos Ecologic Airport
Baltra Airport Code: GPS
Baltra Airport has the most flights in and out of the Galápagos Islands. Over 2,000 commercial flights arrive in the Galápagos Islands annually, with about two-thirds of them landing at Baltra Island. Additionally, hundreds of private planes and military flights arrive each year.
Seymour Airport holds the distinction of being the world's first green airport! In 2013, the airport underwent a comprehensive renovation, incorporating innovative designs to reduce lighting and ventilation energy consumption, utilize rainwater, and implement waste recycling. The facilities at Baltra Airport include various shops selling last-minute souvenirs and open areas offering food and refreshments.
History of Baltra Island
Baltra Island played a prominent position in the development of the Galápagos Archipelago. During World War II, the American Air Force set up a strategic base right here to guard the Pacific and the Panama Canal from enemy attacks. The archipelago's first airstrip, at the side of infrastructure like a bowling alley and a cinema, turned into construction on Baltra Island.
After the battle, which led to 1945, the US Navy withdrew and passed over the Baltra Air Force Base to the Ecuadorian authorities—this pivotal moment marked the transformation of the Galápagos Archipelago into the famous vacation destination we see today. Flights from the mainland now have an extended runway, and soon after, passenger airports and roads were evolved to open up tourism to the islands.
Geology of Baltra Island
Baltra Island within the Galápagos Archipelago seems distinct from other islands, characterized by its slight volcanic uplift with dry, flat land surrounded by coral reefs and restricted beaches.
Despite its area in the Galápagos Archipelago, it isn't always a part of the country-wide park. To preserve the journey, one needs to travel from Bartolomé to Santa Cruz Island, a distance of approximately 5.5 kilometers. This adventure typically lasts around 10 minutes by a taxi or bus heading in the direction of the south coast. The region serves as a departure factor for ferries and different marine deliveries, facilitating the transportation of tourists and automobiles among the two islands.
During the short bus journey from Baltra Airport to the dock, be aware of the pillow lava formations and round volcanic rocks shaped underwater that are presently present in the process of colonization through plant life.
Best Things to Do on Baltra Island
Baltra Island habitat and wildlife
Baltra Island's habitat is typical of the lowland regions of other Galápagos Islands. It is scorched, with low shrubs, cacti, and palo santo timber.
The Galápagos land iguanas are creatures that thrive in this arid atmosphere. They frequently wander underneath giant cacti, expecting their favorite cactus culmination to drop. In the 1930s, a small group of Baltra land iguanas relocated to North Seymour Island.
The fact that Baltra land iguanas now thrive on North Seymour Island shows that the Baltra iguana population may also have the ability to breed once more. Today, over 400 land iguanas are roaming around Baltra Island, and sometimes, you can spot them near the airport runway.
Another famous Galápagos creature that tourists are sure to come upon at the airport is the Galápagos Darwin finch. These cheeky birds are very tame and quite happy to snack on meal scraps at the airport eating place floor.
Itabaca Channel
The Itabaca Channel, which separates Bartolomé Island and Santa Cruz Island, is 150 meters wide. Regular ferry services transport tourists from one side to the other for a fee of only $1, charged during the short crossing.
You'll be mesmerized by the crystal-clear blue waters when crossing the Itabaca Channel by ferry.
You can admire the changing vegetation and observe sea lions, turtles, rays, and even birds.
Seymour Bay
Seymour Bay is a lovely cove located on North Seymour Island, one of the most minor islands within the archipelago. It is famous for its incredible flora and fauna and is a renowned destination for travelers journeying the Galápagos Islands.
Here you can witness astounding animal gatherings, which include blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, seagulls, a few seabirds, as well as sea lions resting on rocks and gambling inside the water.
Free Activities
- Explore the beaches that are free to access, where you may walk along the coast, respect the ocean's perspectives, and loosen up on the seashore.
- Enjoy the surroundings; Baltra Island boasts marvelous natural landscapes. You can stroll around, taking in panoramic perspectives of the ocean, mountains, and surrounding areas.
- Observe the neighborhood's natural world; while Baltra is not regarded for its natural world, you could have the hazard of looking at a few seabirds and lizards inside the surrounding regions. Be aware of reptiles you would possibly encounter.
- Outdoor picnics: if you bring food and drink, you could have a nonviolent outdoor picnic in a quiet spot on the island. Please bear in mind that you need to clean up and get your waste with you to maintain the island smoothly and defend the wildlife.
Baltra Island Hotels
Unfortunately, there are no hotels on Baltra Island, so if you plan to stay overnight, please book accommodation in Puerto Ayora.
Notice and Tips
- Galápagos National Park requires a front charge, and the charge varies based on the traveler's nationality, age, and location of residence. To input the islands, all visitors must present their identity. Nationals want to show their ID playing cards, and foreigners have to present their passports.
- To enter the islands, you ought to have an immigration or transit control card. The way to reap this is by contacting the Galápagos Special Regime Management Board placed at Quito's Mariscal Sucre Airport or Guayaquil's José Joaquín de Olmedo Airport. The price of this card is $20.
- One of the ways to make contributions to the safety of the ecosystem is by using public transportation to lower greenhouse fuel emissions.
- While Baltra Island isn't always considered a tourist hotspot, it does provide spots for training snorkeling and is a crucial surfing vicinity. However, you want to achieve earlier authorization from the neighborhood navy.
