GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

The crown jewel of the natural world, the Galapagos Islands are set along the equator, 600 miles off the west coast of South America.  Here in Galapagos where it is almost always sunny and the cool sea breezes create a perfect air temperature that you would not expect on the equator. In the Galapagos Islands there a crystal clear turquoise seas, beaches with pink, volcanic black, powdery white and olive green sands, mangrove lagoons and cactus forests.

The Galapagos Islands consist of 13 major islands and 17 smaller islands and some 40 rocks that make up the archipelago were born from a fiery volcano deep in the Pacific Ocean. These islands have never been part of a continent, and unlike other similar islands like Hawaii, the Galapagos has only relatively recently been discovered by man and more recently had human inhabitation.

The combination of these unusual characteristics have made Galapagos Islands a sanctuary for exotic animals which have never learned a fear of humans. A living laboratory for scientist who can discover many of the origins of the world.  The Galapagos Islands are a finalist in the ongoing New 7 Wonders of Nature contest the Galapagos Islands inclusion seems an obvious choice for so many reasons.

VISITING THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS 

The Galapagos can be divided into four different areas within the archipelago: Western, Southern, Northern and Central Islands. Each region of Galapagos has distinguishing features showcasing both the geological features and the wildlife that lives there. Many islands have their own endemic wildlife - species found there and nowhere else in the world. It is in witnessing firsthand how these animals evolved differently from each other can observe Darwin's Theory of Evolution up close.

THE WESTERN GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

The western islands take you to the youngest of the Galapagos Islands - Fernandina and Isabela. These islands are still in the process of formation and are home to the only active volcanoes in the Galapagos. Visiting the area you'll learn about how the islands were born of fire and how they developed over the years. Stark black lava fields cover much of these islands only pioneer plants such as cactus and mangroves that require little nutrients or soil survive.

Here near the western Galapagos the ocean has the most nutrients due to upwelling. The marine life is abundant and the wildlife that lives on these islands is dependent on the sea. The western islands are the best place in the Galapagos for whale and dolphin encounters. Much of the wildlife that lives in the western islands is endemic to Galapagos. These species adapted to survive in the harsh conditions. Over 95% of the Galapagos Penguin population lives in the western Galapagos and this is the only area to see flightless cormorants.

THE SOUTHERN GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

The Southern Galapagos Islands are the oldest of the chain. Born millions of years ago from the Galapagos Hot Spot. Over the millennia the plates shifted and the islands drifted further away. As years progressed the volcanoes became extinct. Without the constant influx of new lava the wind, rain and sun began to erode the rocky surface and mineral rich soil began to take its place. Fertile soil allowed new plant species to take hold allowing new animals to survive.

San Cristobal, Espanola and Floreana are home to a diverse selection of both plants and animals. Due to the great distances between these islands many of the species evolved differently creating endemic species found only on that island. This is evident both by the tortoise and the mockingbird each of the southern islands has its own endemic species.

The varied plant and animal life as well as the relatively easy landings made the southern Galapagos a favorite among early sailors and settlers. However human impact had a negative impact on the wildlife originally found here. Today scientists are working to restore many of these species. Espanola is the only nesting area in the world for the Waved Albatross and has the most diverse wildlife in all of Galapagos. Both San Cristobal and Floreana offer a mixture of wildlife and the history of man in the Galapagos.

THE NORTHERN GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Cruises which visit the north will make one of the most unusual island arrivals in Galapagos. Unlike the other islands with a looming central volcano at Genovesa the caldera has collapsed. The highest point of the island is now a mere 250 foot above the sea and your yacht sails into the island's belly. To protect the area cruises holding over 40 passengers are prohibited by the Galapagos National Park.

Genovesa is touted as the birders islands with more species of birds on this island than any other. You'll find colonies of red-footed, blue-footed and Nazca boobies, storm petrels, great frigates, swallow tail gulls, short eared owls and Darwin Finch just to name a few.

THE CENTRAL GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

The Central Galapagos Islands are those surrounding Santa Cruz. These islands are younger than those to the south and older than those to the west. These islands were created in two ways either from a single volcano like Santa Cruz and Santiago or from geological uplift like Plazas and North Seymour.

The central Galapagos retains the dry rugged look similar to the western Galapagos while being able to support a more complex mixture of plants and animals similar to the southern Galapagos.

Colonies of boobies, frigate birds and sea lions are common sites. Land Iguanas can be seen in forests of opunita cactus. For many visitors, a trip to the highlands of Santa Cruz is their only opportunity to see the Giant Galapagos Tortoises in the wild. The central islands are the most visited.

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS TRAVEL GUIDE

Discover the beauty, history and wildlife and the visitor sites of each of the islands in our Galapagos Island Travel Guide.

• Baltra (South Seymour) A military base and not part of the Galapagos National Park it is where one of the Galapagos' two airports bringing passengers from the continent arrives.


• Bartolome (Bartholomew) A small islet located off the east coast of Santiago noted for the distinctive tuff cone it is the most photographed site in all of Galapagos.


• Daphne Located in the center of the archipelago just west of North Seymour. Daphne is noted for scientific work and was the base of Peter and Rosemary Grant's research of the Galapagos Finches.


• Darwin(Culpepper) Located to the north visitors are not allowed to ashore on Darwin, however it has been distinguished as one of the world's best dive sites.


• Espanola (Hood) The oldest of the Galapagos Islands it has the largest concentration of wildlife in a small area  including a large number of endemic species.


• Ferandina (Narborough) The youngest of all of the Galapagos Islands, located closest to the Galapagos Hot Spot, Fernandina is home to La Cumbre Volcano, which most recently erupted in 2009.


• Floreana (Charles or Santa Maria) One of the oldest and southernmost islands Floreana has a long history of human habitation. And is home to one of the three endemic mockingbirds known as Darwin's Mockingbirds.


• Genovesa (Tower) Located in the northern part of the chain Genovesa is the remains ridge of a volcano in which the center has collapsed. Known as "the bird island" Genovesa is home to thousands of birds and is one of only two places in Galapagos where you can see all three species of booby nesting.


• Isabela (Albemarle) Shaped like a sea horse, Isabela is the largest island of the chain. Located to the far west of the archipelago Isabela was formed by the merging of 6 volcanoes 5 of which are still active. Isabela is the only Galapagos Island to straddle the equator. Noted for it's untouched and rugged beauty Isabela is home to one of 4 permanent settlements in the Galapagos at Puerto Villamil and Santo Tomas on the South Eastern edge of the island.


• Marchana (Bidloe) Located in the northern part of the chain west of Genovesa, Marchana is closed to visitors.


• North Plaza Located directly across from South Plaza, North Plaza is closed to visitors.


• North Seymour Located just north of the Baltra Airport (South Seymour) it is one of the few islands created by geological uplift rather than a central volcano. A relatively small island North Seymour has a dense population of wildlife both on the island and in the waters surrounding it. It is a favorite site for day tours and island based diving.


• Pinzon (Duncan) Located in the center of the Galapagos between Santa Cruz and Isabela Pinzon is closed to visitors.


• Pinta (Abingdon) Located in the north near Marchana, Pinta is best known as the home of Lonesome George the symbol of the Galapagos National Park and the fight to preserve the giant tortoises. Several sterilized hybrid tortoises were recently released on to the island in order to try to maintain the nature balance of the island. Pinta is closed to visitors.


• Rabida (Jervis) The most volcanically varied in the Galapagos. Geologically consisting of eroded hills and lava emitted from spatter cones giving the island a distinctive red color.


• Roca Sin Nombre Located between Santa Cruz and Isabela, Roca sin Nombre is an infrequently used dive spot. The island is closed to visitors.


• San Cristobal (Chatham) The eastern most island and the provincial capital of the Galapagos. San Cristobal is home to one of the Galapagos Islands two airports and one of the 4 inhabited islands. San Cristobal has a number of visitor and dive sites and is frequently visited on the first or last day of many cruises.


• Santa Cruz (Indefatigable) Located in the center of the Galapagos, Santa Cruz is the most populated island and has the most developed infrastructure with hotels and other services. Headquarters of the he Galapagos National Park and Darwin Foundation are located in Santa Cruz as is the Charles Darwin Research Station and it's resident Lonesome George.


• Santa Fe (Barrington) Located midway between Santa Cruz and San Cristobal, Santa Fe is home to many sea lion colonies, the largest prickly pear trees in Galapagos and an endemic land iguana found only on Santa Fe.


• Santiago (San Salvador, James) Located in the northern central part of Galapagos, Santiago has a long human history as well as some outstanding opportunities for wildlife viewing. Highlights of a visit include a fur seal grotto, pink flamingo lagoon as well as the chance to see Galapagos Hawks and vermilion fly catchers.


• Sombrero Chino (Chinese Hat) A small island off the coast of Santiago, here on the rocky shoreline Galapagos penguins, eagle rays, sea lions and marine iguanas are frequently seen. The small cove offers and excellent snorkeling site.


• South Plaza A small island located off the east coast of Santa Cruz, South Plaza has an interesting collection of species. Best known are the lazy land iguanas who can be seen waiting under the prickly pear cactus for some of the delicious fruit to drop.


• Wolf Located to the far north near Darwin, Wolf is considered one of the top dive sites in the World. There are no land visits permitted.

GALAPAGOS PARK AND MARINE RESERVE

While the Galapagos Islands are a province in the country of Ecuador, 90% of the land of the islands and 3100 square miles surrounding the islands are part of the Galapagos National Park and Marine Reserve.

Established in 1959 the Ecuadorian government set aside all the lands, which were not already included in settlements and incorporated them into the Galapagos Islands National Park. The primary goal of the national park is to protect the natural wonders that are the Galapagos. In 1992 a management plan created the Galapagos Marine Reserve to protect the waters surrounding the islands and the marine life living there.

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS TRAVEL

For travelers the Galapagos Islands are an incredible destination to visit where you can experience what can best be described as "Galapagos magic" it's those up-close encounters with wildlife that may only be possible here. Your days are filled with exciting opportunities including snorkeling with playful sea lions, tracking Galapagos Tortoise and trading stares with unconcerned iguanas, kayaking in the middle of a pod of dolphins or orcas. You may have to give way as a blue-footed booby crosses your path, or have the opportunity to observe a Galapagos Hawk perched just a few steps away, as an albatross launches itself off a cliff on a journey that will encompass thousands of miles. Or diving with hammerheads and whale sharks.

The Galapagos National Park and Marine Reserve have been established to preserve this 3100 square miles, which includes 90% of the land surface and the entire ocean area within the region. Through this vast natural haven there are just 54 sites which welcome visitors. These ports of call are pre-determined by the the national park service in order to minimize the effect of tourism in the islands while creating an astonishing itinerary full of wonder.

The islands of Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela and Floreana are inhabited islands with small towns or villages which offer you the opportunity to sleep ashore. These settlement areas on these islands offer a variety of accommodations and tour packages to explore the Galapagos or by staying on one of the islands you can extend your stay either before or after your Galapagos Cruise. We recommend staying on the islands rather than cruising if you:

• Are traveling with small children as it permits a greater amount of flexibility with your itinerary
• Suffer from extreme sea-sickness since the boats move at night staying on shore will permit you a restful nights sleep
• Have a very limited amount of time for your visit, hotels will allow you to stay as many or as few nights as you wish
• Want to extend your stay in the Galapagos and explore the islands in-depth
• If you need to have 24-hour a day communication access to phones, faxes and computers

Galapagos Online offers Galapagos Cruises and island based Galapagos Tours as well as custom packages to discover the islands. This section lets you discover the Galapagos Islands with photos, descriptions and visitor site information.