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Sections on this page:
 Galapagos
- in the Middle of the World
Lying 970 km (600 miles) west of the Ecuadorian coast,
at the Equator line, the Galapagos Islands consist of
6 main islands 12 smaller islands and over 40 small
islets.
All the islands are the peaks of gigantic volcanoes
originated by so called "hot spots" 10 million
years ago.
Since formation till its discovery in 1535 by Thomas
de Berlanga (the Spanish bishop of Panama) the Galapagos
Islands were totally isolated from the mainland. During
the millenniums an immense number of birds, reptiles,
insects and plants drifted or flew to its shores and
a unique flora and fauna with lots of endemic species
developed. And since the islands have never been connected
with the continent the animals and plants developed
there and came to differ more and more from their continental
ancestors. Its creatures never learned to fear humans
and you will be surprised by how tame the animals are.
In September 1835 the English scientist Charles Darwin
arrived at the islands, culmination of his journey around
the world with the HMS Beagle (1831-1836). The scientific
findings he made during his stay at the Galapagos built
the basis of his essay "Origin of Species by Means
of Natural Selection" that changed the course of
biological science basically.
When you visit the Islands you will quickly understand
why the Spanish pirate Diego de Rivadeneira named the
islands "Las Islas Encantadas (The enchanted islands).
You will see prehistoric seeming land iguanas, 11 species
of giant tortoises which gave the island their name
(galapago= tortoise in Spanish), mocking birds pecking
at your shoe laces, curious sea lions playing with you
while your snorkeling, 13 species of endemic finches
(the famous Darwin finches), moon like landscapes and
mist-covered volcanic peaks, red sand beaches, strange
forests of prickly pear cactus, the world's pinkest
flamingoes (!), the biggest breeding-colony of albatrosses
in the world, blue-footed boobies performing their "sky
pointing" dance, hunting penguins swimming around
your legs.
The Galapagos Islands are famous for its rare species.
All the reptiles, half of the plants and 40% of the
birds are endemic to the Galapagos, which means that
they can not be found anywhere else in the world.
Our boats will take you to many of the different islands
and you will enjoy incredible snorkeling among playful
Sea lions, Dolphins, Sharks (totally safe!) and huge
Manta Rays and watch the funny red- and blue- footed
bobbies, the huge land iguanas, and all the other animals
endemic to the island.
Click
here for Our Boats in the Galapagos
The
Weather in Galapagos
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Degrees Celsius. Sea surface temperature is about the
same as the average minimum.
Information
on the most important Islands
Bartolome is located
in Sullivan Bay off James Island, has two visitors sites:
a climb to the summit of the island reveals both the
varied volcanic formations of Bartholomew and the inmense
black lava flows on nearby James.
Daphne is a rather
large tuft cone somewhat eroded by the action of the
sea around its base. It is lightly vegetated by sparse
ground cover and some shrubs. Within its two small craters
nest thousands of bluefooted boobies.
Española has two
important sites: Punta Suárez, is a rocky point that
a land that sustanis one of the most impressive and
varied colonies of sea birds in Galapagos. High cliffs
rise up from the sea, for spectacular views of soaring
birds, and the famous blowhole where water spouts from
50 to 75 feet into the air. And Gardner Bay, located
at the eastern coast of Hood Island, provides an excellent
beach for swimming and the opportunity to observe the
Galapagos sea.
 Fernandina.
The inmense shield of Fernandina volcano provides an
impressive backdrop for Punta Espinosa, a narrow spit
of sand and lava rock extending from the base of the
volcano into the sea. Renowned for its large colonies
of marine iguanas, it is also home for a number of unique
Galapagos species: the flightless cormorant, penguin,
sea lion and marine turtle, the harshness of the recently
formed landscape of Fernandina's slopes can be appreciated
by taking the trail inland to the edge of a large AA
lava flow.
Floreana has three
important sites: Punta Cormorant, This is probably one
of the best flamingo’s lagoon. Around it, nested between
two volcanic hills, it is also possible to view a variety
of shores birds, as well as numerous and unique species
of plant life. Devil's Crown Consists of the picket
fence-like remains of small volcanic cone which has
been eroded away by the sea, creating in its interior
an ideal habitat for several types of corals and marine
life, it is perfect for snorkeling. And Post Office
Barrel (wooden barrel placed there in the 18th century
by the crew of a whaling ship) and the Lava Cave are
the principal attractions.
Genovesa. Located
at the inner part of Darwin Bay, this site contains
an abundace of frigates and other seabirds. Behind the
small beach are a number of tidepools, taking the visitor
past nesting areas of frigates, red-footed boobies,
and swallow-tailed gulls. At high tide it is likely
that the trail will be covered with water. Excellent
views of the cliff formations along the coast, as well
as an idea of the dry interior of the island, may be
obtained by following the trail to its finish.
Isabela Urvina Bay,
located on the western coast of Albemarle Island at
the foot of Alcedo Volcano, was uplifted from the sea
in 1954. The site is relatively flat, distinguished
by corals and other marine formations which were lifted
out of the sea by the uplift. Flightless cormorants
and pelicans nest along the coast during their nesting
seasons. Caleta Tagus / Tagus Cove, a tour along the
cliffs in a launch will give the visitors a good chance
of seeing the exclusive Galapagos penguin, the flightless
cormorant, and other sea birds. Elizabeth Bay is an
extremely interesting area for observing marine life
of many different forms. The Experimental Station is
located very near the port of Villamil in the south
of Albemarle. Here the Galapagos National Park experiments
with the reproduction process of the subspecies of Geochelone
elephantopus gunteri (tortoise). Las Tintoreras, located
5 minutes on a dinghy ride from Port of Villamil, permits
the visitor to observe the White tipped shark. Volcano
Alcedo is one of the five shield volcanoes that form
Albemarle Island the famous "Geyser" or hot
steam fumarole will be reached, while all around are
Galapagos giant tortoises of the Alcedo race. At least
one night should be spent on the rim to fully appreciate
the area. Volcano Sierra Negra, located at the southern
end of Isabela Island, is one of the best and most impressive
examples of a volcano in the archipelago. Following
the edge of the caldera to the north, a place called
"Volcan Chico" is reached, comprising a group
of small craters, their activity consisting of several
different fumaroles. In another area, called the "Sulphur
Volcano" the visitor can admire large quantities
of sulphur as it has been deposited by the continuous
action of fumaroles. Volcano Sierra Negra caldera is
the second largest in the world after Ngorongoro in
Africa.
Plaza Sur. One
of a pair of small uplifted islands a short distance
from the east coast of Sta. Cruz, South Plaza has a
unique Sesuvium and Opuntia landscape which provides
some of the most interesting wildlife observation available
in Galapagos. Land iguanas are always easily seen from
the trail, frequently in the shade of a cactus. Swallow-tailed
gulls, along with various other sea birds. The protected
rocky seashore is prime habitat for a large colony of
noisy sea lions.
Rabida, located
behind the picturesque dark red beach lies a salt water
lagoon where the beautiful flamingo is usually seen.
San Cristobal.
El Junco Lagoon, located in the high part of San Cristobal
at an altitude of 700 meters, El Junco, almost round
in shape and 6 meters deep, has been the object of a
study in which the lake`s bottom sediments were analyzed
for the purpose of discovering information about the
vegetation and climate of the Archipelago many thousands
of years ago. Kicker Rock, this giant uplifted rock
has the shape of a sleeping lion. Small vessels pass
through the rock which is divided in two parts forming
a channel between them. Isla Lobos, this small island
is separated from the main island by a narrow stretch
of calm waters. Upon its rocky shores, blue-footed boobies
nest (in season) and sea lions rest and play.
Santa Cruz. The
trail to the highlands leaves Bellavista and passes
through the agricultural zone and then, near the National
Park boundary, the Miconia zone and the "pampa"
or zone of low vegetation typical of the high areas
of Galapagos. With clear weather (unpredictable) this
area affords beautiful scenes of rolling hills and extinct
volcanic cones covered with grass and lush greenery
all rear round. Charles Darwin Research Station, by
visiting the facilities of the Darwin Station and National
Park, it is hoped that the visitor will begin to realize
that not only scientists, but also professional administrators
and Park wardens must exert an enormous, costly effort
to maintain the Islands ecosystems, and some of the
endangered species which comprise them, in their natural
state so that people may enjoy them for many years to
come. Turtle Cove, one of the impressive Galapagos marine
sites, consists of a deep maze of tranquil sea water
inlet. Its waters are still and usually rather murky
and are the resting (and sometimes mating) place for
marine turtles, rays and small sharks. Cerro Dragon,
newly opened visitor site, it is located in the north
of Santa Cruz island.
Santa Fe. The
small bay on Barrington's north-east coast and extremely
picturesque anchorage, provides the visitor with two
trails. One of these leads to a scenic viewpoint on
top of a cliff, and eventually leads to an area where
a species of land iguana can sometimes be seen. The
second trail is a short walk from the beach to an unusually
tall forest of prickly pear cactus.
Santiago. This
narrow, steep-sided point of land provides an extraordinarily
beautiful landscape completed with cliffs and pinnacles
upon which rest hundreds of marine birds. During, the
17th and 18th centuries, pirates used this site for
maintaining their ships, and supplying themselves with
fresh water, meat, and firewood.
Seymour Norte.
Located slightly to the north of Baltra, North Seymour
is a low, flat island, formed as a result of the uplift
of a submarine lava formation. It is covered with low,
bushy vegetation which contains the largest colony of
magnificent frigate birds (Fregata magnificens) in the
Galapagos. There is also a large population of blue-footed
boobies when nesting conditions are right.
Sombrero Chino (Chinese
Hat). Small Islet located on the southeast of James
Island.
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