“Dolphins!” shouted the captain, as he banged on the aspect of the boat. Everybody, together with the crew, rushed to the entrance of the boat in time to see an infinite pod of dolphins launch themselves out of the water. We have been grinning from ear to ear as we watched these stunning animals flying out of the waves and 9 metres into the air.
A visit to the Galapagos — a series of islands on the equator within the pacific — will include many wonderful “Galapagos moments” like this one, from seeing 150-year-old big tortoises within the wild to snorkelling with fearsome hammerhead sharks. On this weblog, we’ll clarify find out how to plan, organise and revel in a visit to the Galapagos.
Animals of The Galapagos Islands
The animals of the Galapagos are its star attraction! You’ll see wildlife whichever islands you go to, however in case you have a selected favorite, such because the Galapagos penguin or hammerhead shark, it is best to attempt to plan your journey across the spots the place you’re almost definitely to see them.
Most of the animals of the Galapagos are endemic, that means they are often discovered nowhere else on earth. As a result of low variety of predators within the Galapagos, most of the animals usually are not afraid of people. Some, just like the celebrity Galapagos sea lions, are playful and curious animals that are more likely to come over and take take a look at you! Visiting the Galapagos is the closest you’re more likely to come to seeing the pure world because it was earlier than people messed every little thing up.
I’ve included a desk of attention-grabbing animals under. I’ve underlined those that we noticed throughout our seven-day Galapagos journey, which we did in February 2020. I’ve included the areas and islands the place you’ll be able to see every animal too.
| Animal | Location | Island | Time of 12 months |
Endemic? |
| Blue-footed booby | Punta Vicente Roca, and so on. | Seen throughout | 12 months-round (mating June to August) | No |
| Widespread dolphin | Open waters | Seen throughout, particularly off Isabela | June to October | No |
| Darwin’s finches | Puerto Ayora, and so on. | Seen throughout | 12 months-round | Sure |
| Flightless cormorant | Punta Vicente Roca, and so on. | Seen throughout | 12 months-round (eggs Could to October) | Sure |
| Frigate chook | Seen throughout | Seen throughout | 12 months-round (mating March to April) | No |
| Galapagos hawk | Punta Espinoza, and so on. | Isla Isabela, and so on. | 12 months-round | Sure |
| Galapagos fur sea lion | Punta Espinoza, and so on. | Isla Isabela, and so on. | 12 months-round | Sure |
| Galapagos land iguana | Urbina Bay, and so on. | Isla Isabela, and so on. | 12 months-round | Sure |
| Galapagos penguin | Tagus Cove, Urbina Bay, and so on. | Isla Isabela, Isla Santiago | 12 months-round | Sure |
| Galapagos sea lion | Seen throughout | Seen throughout | 12 months-round | Sure |
| Galapagos shark | Kicker Rock, and so on. | San Cristobal, and so on. | 12 months-round | Sure |
| Large manta ray | Open waters | Seen throughout, particularly off Isabela | 12 months-round, December to Could | No |
| Large tortoise | Urbina Bay, and so on. | Isla Isabela, and so on. | 12 months-round (hatching December to March) | Sure |
| Golden cownose ray | Punta Vicente Roca, and so on. | Seen throughout | 12 months-round, December to Could | No |
| Hammerhead shark | Kicker Rock, and so on. | San Cristobal, and so on. | 12 months-round, January and June | No |
| Humpback whale | Open waters | Seen throughout, particularly off Isabela | June to October | No |
| Lava heron | Urbina Bay, and so on. | Isla Isabela, and so on. | 12 months-round, (mating September to March) | Sure |
| Lava lizard | Urbina Bay, and so on. | Isla Isabela, and so on. | 12 months-round | Sure |
| Magnificent frigatebird | Kicker Rock, and so on. | San Cristobal, and so on. | 12 months-round (mating March to April) | Sure |
| Marine iguana | Seen throughout | Seen throughout | 12 months-round (nesting December to March) | Sure |
| Orca (killer whale) | Open waters | Seen throughout, particularly off Isabela | June to October | No |
| Pacific inexperienced turtle | Punta Vicente Roca, and so on. | Seen throughout | 12 months-round (nesting January) | No |
| Whale shark | Open water | Wolf and Darwin, and so on. | June to December | No |
When Is The Finest Time To Go to The Galapagos Islands?
You’ll be able to see many animals all 12 months spherical within the Galapagos. Nevertheless, sure animals, significantly whales and dolphins, usually tend to be seen in a sure season. In case you are desirous about birds and reptiles, you may also wish to time your go to to match nesting instances.
There are two distinct seasons within the Galapagos: “summer time” (generally referred to as wet season or scorching season) which lasts from January till Could and “winter” (generally referred to as dry season) which lasts from June till November.
We visited in February 2020 and received fortunate — we have been in a position to see dolphins despite the fact that dolphin season is usually from July to November.
| Month | Temperature | Rainfall (mm) | Notes |
| January | 18 to twenty-eight°C | 178 | Turtles nesting |
| February | 19 to 30°C | 146 | Penguins return |
| March | 18 to 30°C | 170 | Penguins frequent |
| April | 19 to 30°C | 156 | Turtles hatch |
| Could | 18 to twenty-eight°C | 79 | |
| June | 19 to 27°C | 106 | Whales arrive |
| July | 17 to 25°C | 115 | Dolphins arrive |
| August | 16 to 24°C | 80 | Sea lions born |
| September | 15 to 24°C | 86 | Whales & dolphins depart |
| October | 15 to 24°C | 67 | |
| November | 16 to 25°C | 72 | |
| December | 16 to 26°C | 130 | Large tortoises hatch |
Planning a Galapagos Island Cruise
1. Resolve which animals you’d wish to see and which islands you’d like to go to
You’re coming to the Galapagos to see wildlife, so be sure the Galapagos island cruise that you just choose will cease on the locations the place you’re almost definitely to see your favorite animals! Use the animals desk firstly of this weblog that can assist you plan.
2. Resolve what time of 12 months to go to the Galapagos
The perfect time of 12 months for you’ll rely in your availability and the animals that you just’d wish to see! Use the desk firstly of this weblog to get an thought of when is the most effective time on your go to. If you wish to see dolphins or whales, then your greatest guess is to come back from June to September.
3. Resolve what sort of boat you’d like to remain on
There are most likely two components to think about when selecting a ship. 1) The variety of passengers. If you happen to choose a really large boat, you’re going to be sharing the snorkelling spots with an enormous variety of different individuals. This may scale back your possibilities of seeing animals. 2) Finances. Totally different boats have totally different costs. We recognized a few boats in our funds then used TripAdvisor opinions to rule boats in or out. We determined towards the funds choice Golondrina, for instance, as a result of opinions stated that the engine is loud all through the evening and we’re gentle sleepers. This journey company website provides overview of your potential boats for the Galapagos island cruise. There are additionally luxurious cruise choices, equivalent to these supplied by Rainforest Cruises and Touring Galapagos.
4. Resolve in your itinerary
Your itinerary is the route your Galapagos island cruise will take. Galapagosislands.com has the itineraries for every of the boats that they work with listed on their web site. For my part, it’s greatest to decide on an itinerary that spends as little time as potential across the islands of Santa Cruz and San Cristobal. These are each great islands, however you’ll be able to simply go to them by yourself by including a couple of days to the tip of your journey. As an alternative, search for an itinerary that takes you to locations which can be troublesome or unattainable to go to by ferry.
You also needs to take into consideration the size of time you’d wish to spend in your Galapagos island cruise. Do you endure from seasickness? A shorter cruise, both 4 or 5 days, may very well be your greatest guess. Do you wish to get to a distant uninhabited island, equivalent to Wolf? You’ll want to select an extended cruise. We selected a five-day cruise that started on Santa Cruz and visited Isla Isabela, Fernandina and Santiago. We then travelled to San Cristobal by ferry to spend two extra days diving. For me, this was the right size of time that I wanted to see every little thing.
5. Contact a journey company to e-book your journey or contact the boat house owners straight
It’s lastly time to e-book your Galapagos island journey! I’d advocate double-checking every little thing — opinions, itinerary, your calendar — as it is a journey you’re solely more likely to do as soon as and it’s necessary to get it proper. We paid by a financial institution switch and the method went easily. Your journey agent might e-book your flights for you, or it’s possible you’ll determine to e-book your flights individually.
Is The Galapagos Costly?
Visiting the Galapagos is eye-wateringly costly. It’s probably the most cash we’ve spent on any journey vacation spot in such a brief journey. In whole, an eight-day Galapagos journey with a five-day cruise and two days of diving value us $3,150 per particular person. Right here’s the price breakdown:
- Flight from Quito to Santa Cruz ($175)
- Galapagos entry payment ($100)
- Galapagos vacationer card ($20)
- Galapagos five-day cruise, plus financial institution switch payment ($2,215)
- Wetsuit and snorkelling rent for 4 days ($25)
- Food and drinks ($76)
- Lodging ($50)
- Ferry ticket from Santa Cruz to San Cristobal ($30)
- Diving for 2 days ($300)
- Flight from San Cristobal to Quito ($158)
Itinerary For Visiting The Galapagos And not using a Cruise
It’s potential to go to the Galapagos with out paying for a cruise. It will scale back the prices massively and, completed proper, you don’t must miss out on a number of the greatest diving or snorkelling websites, equivalent to Kicker Rock. If you happen to don’t e-book a cruise, attempt to e-book your snorkelling and diving prematurely on-line, as areas do replenish quick. If I have been to go to the Galapagos with out taking a cruise, right here’s the itinerary I’d comply with:
- Day 1: Fly to San Cristobal (Galapagos) from Guayaquil or Quito. If you happen to arrive early, rent snorkelling tools and snorkel at Tijeretas Muelle. It’s a 20-minute stroll from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.
- Day 2: Snorkelling day journey to Kicker Rock. Take pleasure in a sundowner at MUYU.
- Day 3: Take a ferry from San Cristobal to Isla Isabella, by way of Santa Cruz.
- Day 4: Snorkelling day journey from Isla Isabella to Los Tuneles.
- Day 5: Take a morning ferry from Isla Isabella to Santa Cruz. Within the afternoon, go to the Charles Darwin Analysis Centre. Take pleasure in an iced espresso at 1835 Espresso Lab after the go to.
- Day 6: Snorkelling day journey from Santa Cruz to Bartolome, North Seymour or Santa Fe.
- Day 7: Fly from Santa Cruz to Quito or Guayaquil.
You probably have time within the morning earlier than your flight, rent snorkelling tools and go to Las Grietas or Tortuga Bay, each of that are walk-able from city.
How A lot Does It Price To Go to The Galapagos And not using a Cruise?
If you happen to have been to make use of the itinerary above, which might mean you can see Galapagos penguins, hammerhead sharks and plenty of different iconic Galapagos animals, all with out taking a cruise, then you would spend as little as $1,312 per particular person.
- Flight from Quito to San Cristobal ($158)
- Galapagos entry payment ($100)
- Galapagos vacationer card ($20)
- Wetsuit and snorkelling rent for 2 days ($30)
- Food and drinks ($165)
- Lodging ($184)
- Ferry ticket from Santa Cruz to San Cristobal ($90)
- Snorkelling day journeys, x3 ($390)
- Flight from Santa Cruz to Quito ($175)
You could possibly scale back this value a bit of by spending much less on foods and drinks by making your individual meals. For a funds restaurant in San Cristobal, I like to recommend Lucky’s. You will get a hearty vegetarian plate for $4.50. For a style of luxurious whereas on a funds, I like to recommend MUYU. MUYU is a resort proper on the seafront, full with palm timber and sea lions lazing on the white sand. MUYU isn’t usually low-cost, however you will get a scrumptious vegetarian wrap and an amazing cup of espresso for $7.50 from their breakfast menu.
Snorkelling, Diving and Animal Recognizing in The Galapagos
Earlier than you set off, I like to recommend that you just learn up on the most effective snorkelling and diving spots within the Galapagos. You’ll be able to see totally different animals at totally different spots and totally different instances of the 12 months and that may provide help to plan your journey.
For instance, Charlie needed to swim with Galapagos penguins and I needed to swim with Galapagos sharks! We labored out that to have the most effective probability of seeing each animals we’d have to go to at the least two islands: Isla Isabela and San Cristobal.
Snorkelling and Issues To Do on Santa Cruz, The Galapagos
Santa Cruz is residence to the Galapagos’ largest city: Puerto Ayora (22,000 inhabitants). The biggest airport of the Galapagos, Baltra Airport (additionally referred to as Seymour Airport), is technically on a separate island, nevertheless it’s a brief ferry over to Santa Cruz from the airport. Whilst you’re on Santa Cruz, be sure to use the ATMs as money isn’t all the time simply accessible on different islands.
Snorkelling on Isla Mosquera
Isla Mosquera is a white speck of sand not removed from Santa Cruz. We visited Isla Mosquera as the primary cease of our five-day cruise. There’s an lovely sea lion nursery and a colony of small marine iguanas. I additionally noticed an infinite blacktip reef shark whereas taking a dingy to the shore. The water right here was heat and clear.
We booked our five-day Galapagos island cruise on the Fragata straight from the house owners of the boat, which gave the impression to be cheaper than going by way of a journey company.
See Large Tortoises at The Charles Darwin Analysis Centre
It’s a twenty-minute stroll from Puerto Ayora to the Charles Darwin Analysis Centre. Scientists are working arduous to breed big tortoises and land iguanas right here and restore their populations throughout the Galapagos. You must enlist a information to go to the centre and it’s also possible to see lovely child big tortoises.
Snorkelling and Issues To Do On Isla Isabela and Fernandina, The Galapagos
Isla Isabela is the most important island within the Galapagos. It’s principally uninhabited, although there’s a small city (Puerto Villamil) on the southern tip of the island. Ferry companies join Isla Isabela with Santa Cruz and San Cristobal. Fernandina is a small island on the western aspect of Isabela. The channel between Isabela and Fernandina is a good place to see dolphins and whales.
Snorkelling at Punta Vicente Roca, Isla Isabela
High choose! Punta Vicente Roca was among the finest snorkelling websites we visited within the Galapagos. It’s positioned proper on the prime of Isabela. Even earlier than I received off the boat I noticed two big manta rays — one leaping out of the water and touchdown again in with a stomach flop! We additionally noticed nesting blue-footed boobies, Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, a shoal of golden cow-nose rays and a heap of lovely Pacific inexperienced turtles. We visited Punta Vicente Roca as a part of our five-day Galapagos Island cruise. The water was clear and heat.
Snorkelling and Animal Recognizing at Urbina Bay, Isla Isabela
High choose! We have been very lucky after we got here ashore at Urbina Bay! We noticed a great deal of wild big tortoises and land iguanas. Large tortoises are wonderful creatures and their sheer dimension (as much as 450kg) is one thing to see. Urbina Bay in Isla Isabela is without doubt one of the greatest locations to see Large Tortoises within the wild. Due to the efforts of scientists on the Chares Darwin Analysis Centre, the inhabitants is recovering. We visited Urbina Bay as a part of our five-day Galapagos Island cruise.
Snorkelling at Tagus Cove, Isla Isabela
Tagus Cove, on Isla Isabela, is without doubt one of the greatest locations to swim with Galapagos penguins. The cove isn’t fairly, and passing ships have made issues worse by including graffiti which may nonetheless be seen to at the present time. However penguins, turtles and even small sharks like to chilly and murky water right here. Catching a glimpse of a penguin is troublesome as they swim so quick, however we noticed various them whereas snorkelling. Playful sealions additionally swam with us for a time, which was an unforgettable expertise.
Snorkelling and Animal Recognizing at Punta Espinosa, Isla Fernandina
High choose! Punta Espinosa is fingers down the most effective place to see marine iguanas, which amass in nice heaps across the seashores. Unusually, marine iguanas spend quite a lot of time spitting. It is because they absorb quite a lot of seawater whereas consuming algae and they should spit to take away saltwater from their system.
We additionally noticed some Galapagos hawks right here, that are the islands’ prime “land” predator, in addition to tonnes of sea lions and some penguins. We visited Punta Espinosa as a part of our five-day Galapagos Island cruise. We snorkelled right here too, however we didn’t see a lot except for a handful of turtles within the water. The water was chilly and cloudy.
Snorkelling and Issues To Do on Isla Santiago, The Galapagos
Isla Santiago is a largeish uninhabited island between Santa Cruz and Isla Isabela. Like the opposite islands of the Galapagos, it’s volcanic. Meaning the panorama is made up of black lava fields in addition to sandy seashores of various colors. The vegetation is generally cactuses and small shrubs somewhat than palm timber!
Snorkelling At Puerto Egas On Isla Santiago, The Galapagos
Puerto Egas is a good place to snorkel with small, white-tip reef sharks. We additionally noticed a lava heron right here in addition to the fur sea lion. In contrast to the Galapagos sea lion, which will be discovered in every single place, the fur sea lion is tough to identify within the wild. We visited Puerto Egas on our method again to Santa Cruz as a part of our five-day cruise. It is a nice snorkelling spot with heat waters and clear visibility.
Snorkelling at Sombrero Chino On Isla Santiago, The Galapagos
High choose! One other great spot to snorkel with small sharks within the Galapagos is Sombrero Chino. May be choice should you’d wish to swim with sharks however really feel a bit of nervous! This snorkelling spot felt very tropical with heat, crystal clear waters and an abundance of marine life, together with rays and lobsters. We visited Sombrero Chino as a part of our five-day cruise.
Snorkelling and Diving on San Cristobal, The Galapagos
San Cristobal is the easternmost inhabited island of the Galapagos. It has a small city, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the place you’ll be able to prepare day journeys to the well-known Kicker Rock, which is a 40-minute or so boat experience away. It’s also possible to withdraw cash right here, although we’ve heard the ATM can generally run out of money. You’ll be able to catch a ferry from right here to Santa Cruz or Isla Isabela.
Diving At Caragua Wreck, San Cristobal
This shipwreck, over 90 years outdated, will be discovered within the bay of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. We noticed playful Sea Lions, Inexperienced Turtles, a number of rays and even an octopus. There’s a semi-enclosed tunnel that you could swim by. Elements of the ship are clearly seen. The water was chilly however clear.
I booked my wreck dive for $140 from Alpha Scuba. This included two tanks of air and a refresher dive earlier than the wreck dive. I booked on the town, however I used to be quoted comparable costs on-line and need I’d booked prematurely. I’ve additionally heard good issues about Wreck Bay, which is one other diving firm.
Diving at Kicker Rock (Channel), San Cristobal
(High choose!) The channel between Kicker Rock is a wonderful place to dive with sharks, together with hammerhead sharks. Whereas diving the channel, an enormous hammerhead shark handed inside a couple of metres of our group. We noticed loads of different sharks (black-tip, white-tip and Galapagos sharks) in the identical dive. Different fish have been stunning and ample. Notice that Kicker Rock is called Leon Dormido in Spanish.
Diving at Kicker Rock (Tail), San Cristobal
(High choose!) When diving on the tail finish of Kicker Rock, we handed by a shoal of fish so massive that they blocked out the solar and it was like diving at evening. We noticed many hammerhead sharks and different massive sharks in addition to yellowfin tuna and barracuda at this dive website. Above the water, it’s potential to see Magnificent Frigatebirds nesting on the tail of Kicker Rock.
The water was heat sufficient and the visibility was good – however it might drop as little as 5 metres should you’re unfortunate. If you happen to really feel the chilly simply, ask for a 7 mm wetsuit. There’s a delicate surge within the channel and a powerful present on the tail. Our divemaster did a security verify and assessed our abilities earlier than the dive at Puerto Grande.
The price is $160 for 2 dives at Kicker Rock, with lunch included. We set off at 9 and we’re again in port by 14:45. Seasickness tablets are important. You’ll be able to pay $110 to snorkel at Kicker Rock. Snorkelers and divers share a ship. The snorkelers on our boat noticed a number of sharks however no hammerheads. It’s potential to see hammerhead sharks whereas snorkelling at Kicker Rock.
Galapagos Islands Airports
All flights to the Galapagos join by way of Guayaquil (GYE), which is a metropolis on the coast of Ecuador. Even should you e-book a flight from Quito (UIO), you may discover that you’ve a technical visit Guayaquil for round forty minutes.
There are three airports within the Galapagos:
- Seymour Airport (GPS) on Baltra Island (closest to Santa Cruz).
- San Cristobal Airport (SCY) on San Cristobal Island.
- Emetebe on Isabela Island.
Confusingly, Seymour Airport is usually generally known as Baltra airport and generally generally known as Santa Cruz airport. Emetebe is little greater than a touchdown strip. You’ll be able to solely fly from Guayaquil to Seymour Airport or San Cristobal Airport.
You’ll have to purchase a vacationer card ($20) when boarding your aircraft at Quito or Guayaquil. Once you arrive within the Galapagos, you’ll have to purchase a Galapagos entry ticket ($100).
The Galapagos could be very strict about defending the nationwide park from launched animals and greens. It’s greatest to play it secure and never deliver any contemporary meals or crops of any type into the island. You’re additionally not alleged to deliver tenting tools, together with mountain climbing boots, into the island.
If you happen to do fly to the Galapagos, do contemplate paying to carbon offset your flights. Frequent air journey could be very carbon-intensive. You’ll be able to learn our guide to offsetting your carbon emissions that can assist you calculate the price.
Galapagos Packing Record
This travel packing checklist consists of every little thing it is advisable to pack. Don’t overlook your passport and necessary paperwork too! I haven’t included it as a vital, however contemplate bringing your individual snorkelling masks. It’ll prevent a few cents on renting one and needs to be far more snug.
Baggage and Journey Luggage
Journey Paperwork
Journey Tech
Journey Necessities
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Clothes
Journey Toiletries & Medical Equipment
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