Baltra Island Sunrise.

Baltra Island, also known as South Seymour, serves as the main gateway to the Galápagos. Unlike the lush highlands of neighboring Santa Cruz, Baltra is a flat, arid, and uplifted coral island. While it isn't a primary "wildlife destination" in the traditional sense, almost every visitor starts and ends their journey here.

Baltra has a unique human history compared to the rest of the islands:

• WWII Air Base: During World War II, the island was leased to the United States as a strategic airbase to protect the Panama Canal. You can still see remnants of the old runways and foundations from that era.

• The "Iguana Rescue": In the 1930s, land iguanas were moved from Baltra to North Seymour to protect them from the military presence. Decades later, a successful repatriation program brought the "dragons" back to Baltra, where they now thrive near the airport.

Landscape and Wildlife

The island's scenery is stark and desert-like, dominated by volcanic rock and salt-tolerant plants.

• Vegetation: Look for the silvery Palo Santo trees, prickly pear cacti, and colorful Sesuvium (carpetweed) that turns bright red during the dry season.

• Common Sightings: While waiting for transport, it’s common to see Land Iguanas basking near the road, Darwin’s finches flitting through the brush, and Blue-footed Boobies diving in the turquoise waters of the channel.