Pinta Island is the northernmost of the larger islands and is relatively isolated from the rest of the archipelago. The island is named after one of the three ships that took part in Christopher Columbus’s first expedition to the Americas. Pinta is the original home of Lonesome George, perhaps the most famous tortoise in the world, the sole known surviving Pinta tortoise (that is now instinct). There are no tourist visitor sites on the island. Due to the many young volcanoes, the island has very sparse vegetation. Pinta is still home to Swallow-tailed Gulls, Galápagos Hawks, marine iguanas and fur seals. This island is only accessible with a few naturalist cruise itineraries.