The Galapagos Islands have been named after the giant Galapagos tortoises. In 1835, the English naturalist Charles Darwin visited the islands and discovered this ‘living laboratory’ which inspired his writings on the Theory of Evolution. Many of the animals on the Galapagos Islands have developed into different species from their continental relatives, and because they have never experienced man as a predator, they show no fear of humans.
The Galapagos is a wildlife paradise, and these are just a small sampling of the odd and wonderful creatures to be seen.
Our Top Five Favourites
Blue-footed Boobies:
Their strange coloured-feet and hypnotic, if not, clumsy and amusing, mating dances is something to behold! How can you not help but wonder how such a weird looking bird was created?
Marine Iguanas:
Prehistoric in appearance, these guys can cling to the most slippery rocks, and come in all sorts of colours. One of the most curious things of the Galapagos is that the animals differ between Islands. Some of the most colourful (orange/copper) Marine Iguanas are found on Espanola Island.
Giant Tortoises:
Lonesome George has long been thought to be the last of his species, but other species exist on the Islands. These massive creatures are awe-inspiring, and can be visited at numerous places. The Charles Darwin Research Station has a captive breeding program and you can also observe them in the wild, in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island.
Sea Lions:
How can you not fall in love with the cute and curious Sea Lions that lie on the beaches in the Galapagos? They'll swim with you, or just let you lie beside them to do some sun tanning, unforgettable animals indeed.
Galapagos Penguins:
The most northerly of all penguins, the Galapagos penguins, are one of many fascinating creatures that you might see whizzing by you at full speed as you snorkel around the Islands looking at the equally-stunning wildlife under the water.
Top Highlights
Famous for its fearless and unique wildlife - swim with sea lions, float eye-to-eye with penguins, stand next to a blue-footed booby feeding its young, watch a giant 200kg tortoise lumbering through a cactus forest.
The scenery is barren and volcanic, with its own haunting beauty. A trip to the Galapagos Islands is for the nature and wildlife enthusiast, not the average sun-seeker. Consist of 13 major islands and many smaller ones, only five islands are now inhabited. The most popular way to experience the Islands are boat trips, tours range from 4-8 days.
Must do’s
Hike the cliff-top trail on South Plaza, a superb vantage point for watching seabirds; walking on century-old lava flows on San Salvador; or climbing to the summit of Bartolome for a view of the islands.
Galapagos Island Guide
Espanola (Hood) Island
The most southerly island with a beautiful white coral beach and excellent snorkelling. Sea lion colonies, marine iguanas, masked and blue-footed boobies and weaved albatross abound.
Floreana (Charles) Island
Site of the famous Post Office Barrel, an informal post box for sailors. Habitat to pink flamingo, pintail ducks and sea turtle. Snorkelling at Devil’s Crown, an extinct volcanic crater.
Santa Cruz
Home to the Charles Darwin Research Station. Visit the giant prickly–pear cactus forest. Land birds, Galapagos sea lion, lava lizard, and the famous giant tortoise are plentiful.
Bartolome Island
A small island with some of the most impressive volcanic scenery and moon-like landscapes in the archipelago. The famous Pinnacle Rock can be seen here.
North Seymour Island
A small uplifted lava flow island that once lay on the ocean bed. Bird life is abundant and you can find the magnificent frigate bird, land iguanas, lava lizard and sea lions.
Fernandina Island
One of the most pristine islands and the youngest in the archipelago, with an active volcano. A profusion of marine iguanas, sea lions, green sea turtle and flightless cormorants.
Isabela Island
The largest island in the Galapagos and the most volcanically active. Tagus Cove was historically an anchorage for pirates and whalers. A diverse range of wildlife including giant tortoise.
Genovesa Island
Now an extinct volcano and a paradise for thousands of birds including frigate and masked and red-footed boobies.
San Cristobal Island
The easternmost island of the archipelago and first island that Charles Darwin set foot upon in the Galapagos. Kicker Rock is a beautiful rocky islet. Exceptional bird watching opportunities.
Note: Galapagos National Marine Park Fee of US$100 per person is paid locally (subject to change).