Guide to Galapagos Islands Names: 33 Islands and Islets

Are you confused about the Galapagos Islands names? If so, it may be because there are many different islands that make up the Galapagos, and most have more than one name. In this post, we explain what the names are and where they came from.

Map With Galapagos Islands Names

Before we get started learning about the names of the islands let’s take a look at the following Galapagos Islands map. This will make your travel planning a little easier because you’ll have a reference when learning about the Galapagos Islands and their names.

While it is true that many of the islands have two names, you don’t need to worry because the common/official names (the names in italics on the map) are the ones most widely used.

The Galapagos Islands are located just off the coast of Ecuador, South America.

Guide to Galapagos Islands Names

As you plan your Galapagos travel you’ll need to know the names of the islands. Many of the islands have more than one name, the older names are still used by some people and in some publications, both online and off. This can be a little confusing but with this list of the islands names, you’ll be all set.

The Galapagos Islands are part of the Galapagos National Park and made up of an archipelago of 21 islands and over 100 islets and rocks. Of the islands, there are (as common opinion has it) 13 main islands which we’ll list first because those are the ones you are likely to hear about on your trip.

The archipelago itself has had a few different names over the years, it has been known as

1. The Enchanted Islands
2. Insulae de los Galopegos
3. The Galapagos (its common name today)
4. El Archipelago de Colon (its official name)

The archipelago was given its official name in 1892 by the Ecuadorian government on the 400th anniversary of the voyage on Columbus.

Before the islands were officially named, they went by English names which it seems they received from a buccaneer Ambrose Cowley in 1684, he created the first navigation charts of the islands.

Today almost all of the islands in the archipelago are known by their official names except Santiago and Floreana islands. When the islands were renamed some of them changed and others retained the names given by Cowley.

Let’s take a look at the Galapagos islands names and see which ones changed and which stayed the same. The common names are the ones most widely used today but you may still hear/see the old names in use. On the following list, you’ll see the common names on the left, the official names that are not commonly used in brackets and the English names on the right.

Galapagos Islands Names (Common (Official) and English):

The 13 main islands are listed first followed by names of other islands and islets.

13 Main Galapagos Islands Names:

1. Baltra, South Seymour
2. Espanola, Hood
3. Fernandina, Narborough
4. Floreana, (Santa Maria), Charles
5. Genovesa, Tower
6. Isabela, Albemarle
7. Marchena, Bindloe
8. Pinta, Abingdon
9. Pinzon, Duncan
10. San Cristobal, Chatham
11. Santa Cruz, Indefatigable
12. Santa Fe, Barrington
13. Santiago, (San Salvador), James

20 Galapagos Islands Names (more islands and islets)

The old (English) names for the islands and islets that follow will only be noted if they differ from the official/common names.

1. Bartolome, Bartholomew
2. Beagle, 
3. Caldwell
4. Champion
5. Cowley
6. Crossman
7. Daphne
8. Darwin, Culpepper
9. Eden
10. Enderby
11. Gardner
12. Guy Fawkes 
13. Onslow
14. Plaza
15. Rabida, Jervis
16. Seymour, North Seymour
17. Sin Nombre, Nameless
18. Tortuga, Brattle
19. Watson
20. Wolf, Wenman

Galapagos Islands Names and Your Trip

We hope this helps clear up any confusion you’ve experienced learning about the Galapagos. To avoid any mix-ups while traveling you may want to print this list and take it with you. And don’t forget to download your free Galapagos packing list.

Check out our Galapagos travel packages and please contact us today to start planning your trip.