The Galapagos Islands
In this article I will discuss the best time to go, the best way to go, the wildlife and the Islands of the Galapagos. The Galapagos islands are situated 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador and consist of 19 islands and 42 islets. They were created from volcanic eruptions and are 3-4 million years old. It is a bucket list destination for many inquisitive and curious travelers who want to learn about the history, secrets, and unique ecosystems including rare and endemic species of animals to the islands. What’s not to love? These islands straddle the equator making for a great destination year-round, not to mention snorkeling in the winter!
There are only 4 inhabited islands in the Galapagos, Santa Cruz, San Cristobel, Isabela, and Floreana. The other islands and islets are inhabited but not by humankind and are only open during specific times to protect the wildlife. Of historical note, the Galapagos islands are where Charles Darwin studied his theory of evolution and adaptation and is home of the famous Darwin finches.
The Best Time to Visit the Galapagos Islands
There is no bad time for your trip, but it does come down to what you really want to see.
There are only two seasons here: cool and dry (generally early-June through November) and warm and wet (generally early-December through late-May). Each season has its benefits. Weather variations range from a daily high temperature of 74°F in August to a slightly warmer 88° in March. Water temperatures remain in the mid-70s year-round with underwater visibility ranging from 30-70 feet and tends to get extra clear from January through March, with visibility often around 100 feet.
In cool and dry season, the marine life is closer to the islands and you will see birds hunting for fish. One note of caution, the sea can be a bit rougher this time of year so bring your sea-sick remedy or avoid this time. Jan – June the seas are the calmest. Warm and wet is a daily drizzle that soaks the islands with water. During this time, you may be lucky enough to see wildlife babies. Green sea turtles lay their eggs in December and January so cross your fingers for baby turtles. There is a risk that it can be extremely hot so sunscreen is an absolute must, you are on the equator after all. Be sensitive to wildlife and use the right lotions and cover up when you can.
The best way to see the Galapagos
This part is up to you but my recommendation is a cruise. This gives you more sea time,
snorkel opportunities, and visits to various islands without having to base on land and make your way to new islands each day. There are a variety of ships including premium, luxury and even expedition ships to take, most of which are usually on the smaller side so book early! There are hotels on the inhabited islands if you are not a cruiser.
Wildlife of the Galapagos
One mention of the Galapagos and wildlife comes to mind and rightly so. The Islands remain pristine and were isolated for so long that the animal inhabitants have not yet developed a fear of humans. They may even come right up to you on your visit. Fortunately, you will be in small groups and with a naturalist to help protect the wildlife and decrease impact to them and the environment.
Wildlife Favorites to See
The Galapagos Marine Iguana is unique to the Galapagos and is the only iguana that is marine based. Marine iguanas are the only seagoing lizards in the world, and they are found on the rocky shores of most of the Galapagos Islands. The absence of mammalian predators has helped them adapt well to a marine environment. Because the water surrounding the islands can be cool, they come ashore often to warm up. They live in colonies near shallow reefs and rocky coastlines.
Galapagos land iguanas are endemic to the Galapagos Islands as well, and they are found on several islands with South Plaza offering the best viewing opportunities. They prefer drier, scrubbier areas and live in burrows. The preferred food of Galapagos land iguanas and Santa Fe land iguanas is the prickly pear cactus. Land iguanas live in small colonies where males will head-butt each other to defend their territories They can live for at least 60 years.
The Galápagos penguin, considered endangered, is a penguin endemic to the Galápagos Islands and is the only penguin found north of the equator. It is the smallest in South
America standing only 21 inches tall. The cool waters of the Humboldt and Cromwell Currents allow it to survive despite the tropical location.
The Galápagos sea lion is a species of sea lion that breeds on the Galápagos Islands and, in smaller numbers, on Isla de la Plata. They are social and are often spotted sun-bathing on sandy shores or on rock groupings. Bull sea lions can weigh up to 900 lbs., although they average 550 and can be aggressive. The females and pups, on the other hand, are more friendly and may even swim with you, best to avoid the bulls.
Galapagos Fur Seals, also endemic to the islands, are common but hide much of the time. They are much smaller than the sea lions. You can tell them apart by size.
There are two species of the Galapagos Frigatebirds, the magnificent frigatebird, and the
great frigatebird. Colonies exist on many islands, but the consistently energetic, magnificent frigatebird colony on North Seymour Island offers the best opportunity for viewing. They have an 8- foot wingspan and when searching for a mate a scarlet gular pouch under their neck is inflated to attract females.
The Blue-footed booby is probably the most well-known bird on the islands with its unique blue feet and can be seen as far north as
California and as far south as Peru. Half of all breeding pairs, however, live in the Galapagos Islands. They come to land only to nest, preferably on lava rock. Sometimes, blue-footed boobies join in groups to search for food far out to sea. They eat sardines, anchovies, and mackerel almost exclusively. When diving for food, they fold their wings around their aerodynamic bodies and dive into the sea from as high as 80 feet.
The Nazca Booby is completely white except for a black band adorning the edge of its wings and tail. Its face mask is formed by a blackish area of naked skin encircling its reddish-pink or orange bill. At 3 feet long, with a 5- to 6-foot wingspan, the Nazca is larger than any other Galapagos booby. Due to their large size, they usually nest near the tops of cliffs where they receive the greatest advantage for taking flight. In contrast to other boobies, they breed annually on a cycle that varies across the islands.
Darwin’s finches, named due to their role in Charles Darwin’s theories on evolution, are
ostensibly the most renowned land birds of the Galapagos. Darwin was fascinated with diversity found among the thirteen species and the speed with which they evolved from a common ancestor to adapt to the varied supply of food available on individual islands. Though these 13 finches are the most well-known and scientifically important Galapagos birds, they are not very remarkable looking. Endemic and typically easy for visitors to spot, it takes an expertly trained eye to differentiate the thirteen species who scientists believe descended from a shared ancestor. The differences in distribution, plumage, feeding habits, body size, beak size, and shape helped inform Darwin’s theories.
Galapagos Giant Tortoises are found only on the Galapagos Islands and prefer to live in dry lowlands. They are found on the islands of Pinzon, Española, and Isabela. Scientists guess that the tortoise’s lifespan is somewhere around 150 years. They lead a relatively peaceful life, napping almost 16 hours per day. The rest of the time is spent foraging on leaves and cactus and basking in the sun.
Sally Lightfoot crabs are hard to miss with their bright colors. They are found in the Galapagos Islands and across the western coast of South and Central America. As scavengers they are an
important part of the ecosystem, as they keep the shore clean of any organic debris and can be seen eating ticks off marine iguanas. They feed in large groups on most beaches and in shallow water all around the Islands.
Popular Islands of the Galapagos
Baltra Island – This is the location of a small harbor and the international airport. It is a former military base and some of the old base can still be seen. The base was used to protect the Panama Canal during WWII.
Santa Cruz Island – This is the main island of the Galapagos, home to the town of Puerto Ayora , the tortoise breeding center, the Charles Darwin Research Station, and the forest highlands. The white sand beaches of Las Bachas is a favorite nesting site for sea turtles. Santa Cruz is also home to Dragon Hill named for the population of Land Iguanas. In South Plaza you may see a colony of sea lions. You may also spot flamingos here.
Floreana Island – Common sites to visit are Punta Cormorant with greenish sand and it is another nesting place for green sea turtles, Post Office Bay, and the Devil’s Crown. East Champion Island, just east, is great for snorkeling.
Espanola Island – The oldest island and home to Suarez point where you will see Nazca and Blue footed boobies, Española lava lizards, and a host of other birds. From April to December you will see 10K-20K pairs of waved albatrosses here.
San Cristobal Island – This island has many sites, including Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and
the San Cristobal Interpretation Center. Punta Pitt with its green sand beach and plateau is worth a climb for the view. And catch a glimpse of all three nesting boobies, the only place in the Galapagos you can find all of them together. The stunning Leon Dormido rock, a must-see rock formation is also here. Los Lobos has a large colony of sea lions and pups and you may also see fur seals.
Santa Fe Island– Watch sea lions swimming in the surf. See the massive Santa Fe opuntia cactus and be on the lookout for hawks, finches, and other birds.
Genovesa Island – Genovesa (or Tower Island) is a rocky volcanic caldera that is due north of Santa Cruz and home to Darwin Bay and the Prince Phillips Steps. The steps lead to a seabird colony full of Nazca and red footed boobies.
Santiago Island – Buccaneer Cove pays homage to the pirates that stopped here to rest and gather food. Egas Port is a black sand beach with coastal tide pools and grottoes. You can snorkel here among the sea lions, marine iguana, and Galapagos fur seals. On a visit to Sullivan Bay you will see what volcanic eruption does to the landscape.
Isabela Island – This is the largest island and includes Elizabeth Bay, Punta Vicente Roca where you see its cave and snorkeling with turtles, Urbina Bay, Tagus Cove, and the massive Sierra Negra volcanic caldera. Here you may also see Galapagos penguins. Urvina bay is home to the most recent active volcano with an eruption in 2015. With any luck here you will find the giant tortoise.
Fernandina Island – The youngest of the islands offers an opportunity to see the lava fields of Puna Espinoza. It also has the largest colony of marine iguanas in the archipelago. Sea lions also call this home.
As you can see, this memorable journey has so much to offer, from landscapes, wildlife, snorkeling, diving, history and more. Why not put this one on your bucket list?
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