The best known islands on the lake are the floating reed islands which are maintained by adding fresh reeds to the surface even as the ones on the bottom decompose. The reeds are harvested and used for many things including houses, reed boats and sails in daily use on the lake.

Taquile Island is best known, and travelers can stay overnight, by negotiation with the residents, to see what island life is like. Since everything has to be brought in by boat from the mainland, little gifts of fresh fruit are much appreciated.