Introduction

70,000 tourists visit the Galapagos Islands every year, making them Ecuador’s most popular tourist destination. Of the 30 islands only 4 are inhabited by people. Due to the islands’ climate it is possible to see the many species of animals unique to the Galapagos Islands throughout the year. However, there are still two seasons caused by the currents around the islands. In the cool season (July to December), the weather is fresh due to the southeast winds and the Peru Current. The waters can get quite cold and it can also be quite misty. However, the cool season is also the dry season. The warm and wet season is from January to June, when the warmer currents from Panama cause a water temperature between 20 and 26 degrees centigrade. Air temperature can be 30 degrees centigrade or more, although you can expect it to rain more often.

History

Tomas de Berlanga

There is not much knowledge about the first inhabitants of the Galapagos. It is believed that the first visitors were the Chimu people and the Incas from the mainland of South America in the 15th century. The first recorded arrival, however, was on 10 March 1535 when Tomas de Berlanga, a Spanish bishop, travelled from Panama to Peru and landed by accident on the islands. The report he gave to King Charles V is the first description we have of the fearless animals of the islands. Neither the Spanish conquistadors, nor the Dutch, nor the English were interested in this newly discovered area due to the lack of natural resources.

First map

The first map of the Galapagos Islands was made in 1685 by Ambrose Cowely, who also named the individual islands. Despite this map, however, sailors still had difficulty locating the islands due to strong currents. The islands became known as Las Encantadas because sailors were convinced that the islands changed position. William Dampier and Woodes Rogers made the archipelago better known to other European seamen who ventured into the Pacific in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Whaling and seal-hunting

Whaling was a big business in the first half of the 19th century. The demand for oil, especially in British industry, meant that whalers had no regard for the preservation of the natural life of the Galapagos, and the constant hunting decimated the whale population. The fascination with giant tortoises, seen for the first time by many people, meant that almost 200,000 giant tortoises left the islands on the many ships that began to frequent the Galapagos.

Ecuadorian sovereignty

In 1832, Ecuador proclaimed sovereignty over the Galapagos Islands. At this time only few people lived there. The Ecuadorians tried to establish some form of industry on the islands, but failed due to a lack of organisation and sugar and growing orchilla. Fishing and farming became a way to survive on the 4 larger islands, Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela and Floreana.

America and the Galapagos

The Galapagos Islands gained international importance for the US and Latin America after the construction of the Panama Canal. In World War II, it became necessary to protect the entrance to the Panama Canal and strategically, the Galapagos Islands were the best place to have a military base. Ecuador therefore permitted the US to build an airfield on the island of Baltra. After the war, the base became Ecuadorian again and is now the main point of entry to the National Park.

Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin arrived in 1835. Here he began his evolutionary research, which led to the publication of his controversial novel ‘The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection’. He spent 5 weeks on the islands collecting and documenting species for his studies, but it wasn’t until 1859 that the book was published.

The Galápagos Affair

In the 1930’s several mysterious deaths and disappearances among the European community on the island of Floreana put Galapagos in the news. A book by John Treherne about these events contributed to making the Galagapagos Islands famous and a popular tourist destination.

Due to the increase in tourism, the immigration to the islands in the last 20 years let the population on the Galapagos increase at such a high rate. This slowed down when the Ecuadorian government passed a special law limiting immigration to the islands.

Galapagos National Park

In 1959, Ecuador declared 97% of the land area of the Galapagos Islands as national park. They also introduced the Galapagos Marine Resources Reserve in 1986 to protect the waters around the island. The islands were also internationally recognised as a Man and Biosphere Reserve and as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in December 2001.

Charles Darwin Foundation

The Charles Darwin Foundation was set up by the Ecuadorian government 40 years ago to provide a solution to the problem of species that were introduced by settlers and which subsequently caused harm to the islands’ fragile ecosystem. The management of the Galapagos National Park and the Research Station have collaborated closely over the years.

Geology

The Galapagos Islands are a series of gigantic volcanic peaks, created by the movement of the Nazca plate towards the South American plate at a rate of about seven cm per year. The islands are composed of almost exclusively metaphoric basalt, giving the islands their dark gray color. They do, however, differ from almost all volcanic regions in the world, as the Galapagos Islands do not lie on the border of two tectonic plates.

The Galapagos Islands contain the most active volcanoes in the world and eruptions have taken place on Fernandina, Isabela, Pinta, Marchena, Santiago and Floreana. Now the most active volcanoes are found on Fernandina, Isabela, Pinta and Marchena, and volcanic activity may be seen occasionally on each of these islands.

The most plausible reason for this geographical phenomenon is known as the hot spot theory. This theory states that the volcanoes are created as a result of magma hot spots, where magma at extremely high temperatures bubbles to the surface to form a volcano. The theory demonstrates why the most easterly islands show the greatest effects of erosion and are the oldest. San Cristobal is estimated between 2.3 and 3.6 million years old. Evidence for this activity can be seen all over the Galapagos as the majority of the Galapagos’ landmass consists of lava flows.

Due to the nature of their origins, it is therefore common to be able to see volcanic cones of different shapes and sizes, ranging less then one meter high to the larger spatter cones found on Bartolome. More extreme evidence of the hot spot theory is seen at Urbina Bay on Isabela. Here tectonic activity caused an uplift of landmass in 1954. The islands of Plazas and Baltra are the project of this uplift, where a stretch of reef was raised up by four meters as a result of the magma flowing beneath.

The Galapagos archipelago lies in the Pacific Ocean about 960 km west from Ecuador and consists of thirteen large islands, over forty tiny islands and many rocks. Galapagos is a province of the Republic of Ecuador, although only four of the islands are inhabited, with a total population of around 18,000 people. The capital is Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island, but the biggest city is on Santa Cruz: Puerto Ayora.

The Best places to travel to in Galapagos

All nature and animal lovers must go to Galapagos. What makes a visit to the islands truly extraordinary is that you can see wildlife very close, since the animals have never learned to fear humans.

You will have many opportunities to snorkel with sea lions, follow giant tortoises and observe iguanas. The islands are a haven for sea birds and you can find cormorants, gulls, penguin species which live in tropical waters, albatross, blue and red-footed boobies, masked boobies, and frigatebirds. Mammals such as sea lions, seals, dolphins and whales are common. Over 300 species of fish have already been discovered. There are also at least 1,600 species of insects, 80 spiders, 300 beetles, 150 mites, 80 land snails, 650 sea shells and other molluscs, 200 starfishes and urchins, 120 crabs, and many other smaller animals.

If botany is your thing, then Galapagos is a dream come true, as the plants are as fascinating as the animals. In the highlands you can find many native species such as the Scalesia (‘tree daisies’), tree ferns, bromeliads and orchids. If you wander along the coasts, you won’t be disappointed; there are vivid morning glories, mats of bright red sesuvium, giant prickly pear and candelabra cacti. You can also find tiny Brachycereus cacti growing on the barren lava flows. To the surprise of many tourists, Galapagos also has its own species of cotton, tomato, pepper, guava and passion flower.

Bartolomé Island

Bartolome is a small barren island, located in Sullivan Bay off James Island and has a famous spire known as Pinnacle Rock. It has two main beaches where you can swim, snorkel and see the occasional penguin. On the larger beach it is possible to climb to the summit of the island, from where you can see different volcanic formations and lava fields. The landscape looks remarkably like the surface of the moon and offers some of the most scenic views on the islands. At the smaller beach, known as East Point, you can enjoy swimming and snorkelling in the clear waters of the Pacific Ocean. You can also take a walk from East Point across the narrow strip of land to the little beach, which faces south, although unfortunately, swimming is prohibited here. You can, however, enjoy the solitude of a usually empty beach.

Sullivan Bay

You will be impressed by the 100 year old lava flow which dominates Sullivan Bay. In this area plants grow within the small lava fissures and one of the most interesting sights are the trees that were carried by the lava flow and are now entwined in the hardened lava. The east side of the island has very barren landscape, which is dominated by black pahoehoe (ropy) lava flows.

Española Island – Punta Suarez

Located at the western end of Española Island, this beach is home to many seals and sunbathing iguanas. The Hood Mockingbirds will come closer to you than most birds do, and they even investigate you.

The beach is also a good place to see the spectacular mating dance of the Albatross, when it sets out to find its life-long mate.

This area boasts one of the most impressive and varied colonies of sea birds in the Galápagos. Along its southern shore, high cliffs rise up from the sea affording the visitor spectacular views of soaring birds and the blow hole, where water spouts up to 50-75 feet into the air according to the intensity of the surf.

Española Island – Gardner Bay

Being a beautiful fairy-tale beach with white sands and clear blue seas that is located on the north eastern coast of Española Island, Gardner Bay is the perfect spot to relax, swim and gives you the opportunity to observe sea lions.

Floreana Island – Punta Cormorant (Charles Island)

Punta Cormorant is one of the best places to see flamingoes in the Galapagos. It’s a nice area because of its two tuff cones that give the area a special atmosphere. There are many different kinds of shorebirds to be seen, such as white-checked pintail ducks. There are two different and distinct beaches: the Flour Beach and the Green Beach. The Flour Beach is worth a visit because it is a nesting place for turtles and has a large number of sting-rays. It is made of coral and interesting shells can be found here. The Green Beach is so called because of the olivine crystals in the sand that make it appear slightly green.

Floreana Island – Post Office Bay

Since the late 18th century the people of Post Office Bay have used an old whaling ship barrel as a post box, and from this little piece of history the bay got its name. Letters and postcards are left here are and it is still used as a post office today. This site was also the place where the first colonists landed on the Galapagos Islands.

Genovesa Island

Genovesa Island is a haven for bird watchers as all kind of birds can be found here. The island’s main offerings are the Prince Philip’s Steps, which belongs to a narrow arm of land and encircles the eastern part of Darwin Bay. It is a great spot to observe various species of sea birds. There are no land iguanas or giant tortoises, but there are lots of prickly pear cacti. Snorkelling in the bay can be a thrill due to the hammerhead sharks that are sometimes seen at the western part of the bay. You can also visit a lava platform if you climb 25 meters up the cliff. Here you can find masked boobies, red-footed boobies and frigate birds’ nests.

North Seymour Island

North of Baltra, you find the flat and low-lying island of North Seymour, which was developed as a result of the uplift of lava formations. The vegetation is mainly low and stubbly and the area is home to the biggest colony of frigate birds in the Galapagos. Large groups of blue-footed boobies can be seen nesting here from May to November. Last but not least, sea lions can be found near the coastline.

Plaza Island

When you get off the boat at Plaza Sur, you will have an interesting welcoming committee of giant land iguanas. Sea lions are the inhabitants of a protected rocky shore, and yellow tailed mullets make their nests here. You can also spot dolphins, manta rays, gulls and sturgeon fish.

Birds, such as the red-billed tropicbird, frigate and brown pelicans, like to glide past the cliff. Swimming or snorkelling is almost impossible at Plaza Sur due to the very territorial sea lions who can be quite aggressive.

A slightly strenuous walk up the rocky cliff, you will find a peaceful place with less aggressive sea lions, so you can take a swim.

Rábida Island

Because of oxidation and a high amount of iron in the lava, Rabida Island has a deep red colour. Behind the beach there is a salt-water lagoon, where pelicans sometimes build their nests and sea lions and stilts live. You can also see the occasional flamingo looking for food.

San Cristobal Island – Cerro Brujo

Just enjoy swimming and relaxing on the beautiful white coral beach of Cerro Brujo. You can still see wildlife here, as there is a feeding area for ducks, herons, pelicans, boobies and gulls behind the beach.

Santa Cruz Island – The Bachas Beaches

The white and soft sand consists of corroded coral. Due to the sand, sea turtles come to Bachas to nest. Like at the other beaches, there is a small lagoon where you can observe flamingos feeding if you are lucky. There is another longer beach on which you can quite easily see two abandoned barges from the Second World War. We would not, however, advise you swim here as the water is polluted by the rust from the ships.

Santa Cruz Island – Caleta Tortuga

A beautiful lagoon surrounded by green lush mangroves where you have the chance to see manta rays, sharks, turtles, blue-footed boobies, masked boobies and sea gulls.

Santa Cruz Island – Charles Darwin Research Station

If you want to learn something more about the protection and the conservation of the Galapagos Islands, you mshould visit the National Park Information Centre at the Van Staelen Exhibition Hall. It functions as a breeding and rearing centre for young, and as a resting place for old Galapagos tortoises. Lonesome George, the last surviving Pinta tortoise is still living in the centre.

Highlands of Santa Cruz Island

From Bellavista a road passes through agricultural areas and leads to the Highlands near the National Park boundary, the Miconia Zone, and then goes to the Fern and Sedge zone. It offers some amazing views of extinct volcanoes and lushly covered hills, and you can see the greenery all year round.

Santa Fe (Barrington) Island

You can choose between 2 different roads that lead you over this island. One of them leads to a scenic viewpoint on top of a cliff where it is possible to find land iguanas. The other trail is near the beach. It is a short circular trail where it is also possible to see land iguanas early in the morning or in the afternoon when the sun is low. Prickly cactuses are plants that are frequently seen here.

Santiago Island – Egas Port

Salt mining used to take place here and unfortunately the Port has never recovered form the pillaging of its resources and landscape. It is also here that numerous domesticated animals were introduced including the very destructive Judas goats. The goats have caused huge amounts of damage to the vegetation and the National Park Service is still trying to eradicate them. Despite all this the Port is still of great beauty and scientific interest.

Tours to the Galapagos Islands

Boat Tour

More than 100 boats are operating in the Galapagos Islands. There are several options to choose from, going from luxury class, first class, tourist class to economic class boats. It is important to realise that the contrast between an economic class boat and a luxury class boat is huge. Differences in the quality of the food, the knowledge of the guides and their ability to speak a second language, the existence of a private bathroom, hot water, air-conditioning, the space on the ship and so on, can be noted. For an eight-day cruise on a luxury or first class boat you will pay between $1,500 and $3,500, excluding entrance fees and domestic flights. Prices of a tourist class boat range between $120 and $300 dollars per day; and an economic boat will probably charge you $100 per person per day.

Visiting the Islands by boat generally means that you will sail from one site to another during the night, and normally you will stop at 2 locations each day. Throughout your stay at Galapagos, you will see a diversity of places, endemic animals and plants and most tours offer this variety. Do not expect to be alone at Galapagos, as there are certain to be other tourists on the popular sites.

Land-based Tour

Choosing a land-based tour means that you are staying ashore in hotels and sail during the day to other close-by visitors’ lodgings. This option means that you will have a comfortable hotel but sailing in the day time means that you have less time to visit the islands.

Independent Travel

Independent travelling gives you the opportunity to visit the Galapagos Islands without a guide. It is possible to do by using inter-island flights and ferries. You will, however, generally be confined to the colonized areas. If this type of trip is chosen, it is possible to arrange day-trips from the larger towns, especially from Puerto Ayora. These day excursions cost about $60 per person and mostly include the guide, the visit and a lunch. It is easy to organise these tours, as there are many travel agencies in the area.

Entrance fee

On arrival in the Galapagos foreigners have to pay a $100 park entrance fee in cash at the airport. Children under 12 years pay $50, children under 2 years pay nothing, citizens of Andean Community or Mercosur countries pay $50 and holders of a visa and censo pay $25. After paying your passport will be stamped and you will be given a receipt, which you should keep, since your boat-operator will ask for it.

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