GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
The Galapagos Islands are located 600 hundred miles from the Ecuadorian coast. They were discovered in 1535 by Bishop Tomas de Berlanga. In 1835 Charles Darwin visited these marvelous islands, the living laboratory which permitted him to develop his famous Theory of Evolution of Species. In 1979 UNESCO declared the islands as a World Heritage Site.
Galapagos are composed of 13 main islands, 6 small islands and around 43 islets. Four of these islands are inhabited: San Cristobal (the capital of the Province), Santa Cruz (where the Charles Darwin research station is located), Isabela and Floreana.
Baltra Island was used as a US airbase during the Second World War. Most yachts start their cruises directly from this island. Some others start from Puerto Ayora village in Santa Cruz, which is 2 hours by bus.
Bartolome is one of the most photographed islands because of its beautiful landscapes. Climbing up about 60 m provides a spectacular view of the two bays and Pinnacle rock. Volcanic and lava formations and ash cones can be admired. On the beach it is possible to swim and snorkel with penguins and sea lions.
Española has two sites for visitors: Gardner Bay is a white sandy beach covered with sea lions and mocking birds. There are excellent opportunities to snorkel and swim here. At Punta Suarez you can walk on lava to discover nests of blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, colonies of marine iguanas and waved albatross. You can also find sea lion colonies and and Galapagos doves, Darwin's finches and the famous "Blow hole".
Fernandina is located on the west side of Isabela and is one of the most volcanically active islands. Punta Espinoza is the disembarking point to see the black lava rocks, mangroves, pelicans, frigate birds, flightless cormorants, petrels, marine iguanas and mangrove finches.
Floreana melts the impressive scenery with the mystery of the events that happened when the first families arrived to live in the islands. Post Office Bay is famous for the barrel where whalers of the 18th century established an unofficial post office. At Punta Cormorant you can visit the pink flamingos lagoon and enjoy a white sandy beach where marine turtles nest from December to May. Very close is located the Devil's Crown where beautiful coral formations are the perfect place to snorkel or dive.
Genovesa is one of the smallest islands; at Darwin Bay there are large colonies of frigate birds, red footed and masked boobies. There is also a forest of Palo Santo trees. Prince Phillip's Steps site is the breeding area for masked and red footed boobies (from September to July). Four species of Darwin's finches live on this island.
Isabela is the largest island, with many sites open to visitors. At Tagus Cove, a natural port used by whalers in the 18th century, some inscriptions in the rocks can be seen. A short hike will bring you to a fabulous view of Darwin salt-water lake. At Urbina Bay, after a short walk you will see giant tortoises and petrified coral. Punta Vicente Roca and Punta Moreno are other visitor sites offering beautiful views and lava formations. Dinghy rides along the cliffs and coves will permit the observation of penguins, flightless cormorants, blue-footed boobies and hundreds of marine birds. From Puerto Villamil there are excursions to the active Chico volcano.
Rabida is well-known for its red colored beaches. It has a Palo Santo and Opuntia cactus forest. Sea lions are always seen when disembarking, another attraction being the flamingos and pelicans lagoon.
South Plaza is located just 2 hours from Santa Cruz. Its beaches are covered in sea lions. Marine and land iguanas are seen during visits to this island.
At Santa Fe the visit will start with a walk through a Palo Santo and cactus forest. Land iguanas, lava lizards and sea lion colonies will be seen. There are great opportunities to swim.
Seymour island is home to colonies of frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls. Also seen here are land iguanas, pelicans, and red-billed tropic birds.
Santiago island is located to the northwest of Santa Cruz. Sullivan Bay on the east side of the island offers beautiful beaches and lava formations and James Bay on the west side offers black lava formations where a colony of fur seals live. Galapagos hawks and some species of Darwin's finches are also found at this site.
Santa Cruz Island is the home of the Charles Darwin Station and Galapagos Park Service. An 8 day cruise includes a visit to the Station and the giant tortoises Growing Center. The highlands offer to visitors geological formations: the twin craters and the lava tunnels and the tortoise reserve at Bellavista. Puerto Ayora village is located at Academy Bay and has a pleasant atmosphere with various hotels, restaurants, shops and other establishments. Very close is Tortuga Bay, one of the best beaches in the islands. This Bay offers good places for diving.
On San Cristobal Island, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno the capital city of the islands is located. The new Interpretation Center provides information to visitors about Galapagos. This island also has an airport, which is served twice a week. |
