This is one of the smaller islands but is important as it has the main airport (a second, smaller, one is on San Cristobal Island). However it is to Baltra that many of the scheduled flights from mainland Ecuador come. The airport was built by the Americans during the 1939-45 war.

There are no visitor sites or accommodation on Baltra and transport is available to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. However, many people on a previously booked tour are taken to the harbour where their boats will be waiting.

A large number of birds can be seen at the harbour, mainly boobies and frigatebirds.

The pier is a 5-minute drive from the air terminal. If you happen to start your voyage in Puerto Ayora, you will take a bus ride to the Itabaca Channel, cross it by ferry towards Santa Cruz Island, and then an interesting ride from the lowlands up to the highlands and down again to the lowlands. The changes in vegetation that guests will experience will be a rewarding way to start your Galápagos Expedition.