 |
Argentina | Brazil | Chile | Colombia | Ecuador & The Galapagos | Peru |
| Phone: 866.716.9213 | Home | About | Request Info | Costa Rica | Panama | Multi-Country | Promotions |
Galapagos Islands General Information
The islands emerged about five million years ago, give or take a million, as a result of violent volcanic action. In geological terms, this should be considered a recent event. As the young islands were cooling off, say, two million years later, some species gradually arrived. They were live organisms riding on "rafts of vegetation" from the shores of Central and South America. Unusual climatic events, like flooding, can take lots of vegetation rafts eventually to the ocean. Therefore, it is pure chance that allows a raft to eventually reach Galápagos. These early immigrants had to adapt to a peculiar new environment, and simply evolved -- slowly -- in a different direction from their continental ancestors. And, wonders of nature, they developed into species unique to the islands, with features not seen in their past ancestors. |
Galapagos Quick Facts:
|
 (Click to enlarge map) |
Description of the Islands:
BaltraYou'll arrive and departure from mainland Ecuador to this island's airport. During WW II, from 1941 to 1948, this island was known as Beta. It was occupied by the US Air Force and the US Navy as a Military base. Back in those days, this airport had the largest airstrip in South America. This uplifted island also known as South Seymour is the most affected by human habitation. Mosquera is a great sandy bank just north of Baltra, home to a large colony of Galapagos Sea lions
Bartolome
This Galapagos Island is perhaps the most photographed location in the entire archipelago. You can climb up a wooden staircase to the summit for a stunning view. You can observe fascinating formations of lava flows and spatter cones. Many have called this Galapagos Island an open Geology Textbook. Sea lions and penguins can be seen around Pinnacle Rock. There is a sandy beach with great swimming and snorkeling. This is one of those special locations where observing penguins in tropical waters can be a revealing discovery. Diving in Galapagos is one of the most rewarding aquatic experiences.
Fernandina
The youngest island of the Galapagos group. The landing point is Punta Espinoza. Imagine walking among hundreds of marine iguanas on black lava rocks, see flightless cormorants, penguins, pelicans, sea lions and mangrove forests. Fernandina's colossal dome shape can enchant anyone who visits, perhaps the most remote island in the Pacific.
Espanola (Hood)
Gardener Bay: Welcome to paradise beach. Home to a coral white-sand beach with sea lions and mockingbirds. Good place for swimming and snorkeling at the beach and nearby islets. With beautiful turquoise waters. It's only in this island where the Albatross bird nests.
Punta Suarez: Walk on lava rocks along a trail dotted with nests of blue-footed boobies and Nazca (masked) boobies, a colony of marine iguanas (endemic to the island), waved albatrosses and a blow hole. There are also sea lions, Galapagos doves and three species of Darwin's finches.
Floreana
At Post Office Bay you can visit the famous barrel, a do-it-yourself postal service set up by 18th century whalers. Cruise by Loberia islet with sea lion colonies. Penguins are occasionally observed.
Punta Cormorant: Home to an olive-crystal beach and greater flamingos inhabiting a secluded lagoon. A short walk away is a white-sand beach where sea turtles nest. Nearby are Champion and the Devil's Crown with beautiful coral formations and great snorkeling. You can enjoy perhaps the best snorkeling with sea lions here.
Isabela
This is the largest island in Galapagos. It is the result of six large volcanic domes fused together.
Urbina Bay: is located at the central west coast of Isabela Island at the foothills of Volcanoes Alcedo and Darwin. The landing is on a dark volcanic sand beach. Highlights include large and colorful land iguanas, since the island area includes excellent nesting grounds for them. You have good possibilities of seeing giant tortoises in the wild. Along the rocky shoreline, possible sightings of flightless cormorants, blue-footed boobies, penguins and large marine iguanas.
Punta Moreno: is located in the central south western coast of Isabela Island. Spectacular view of volcanoes Alcedo, Sierra Negra and Cerro Azul. Highlights include impressive lava flows. Desolate, extremely pristine landscape. Extraordinary varied and unusual arid zone vegetation. The main attraction is a compound of small brackish lagoons very much like a desert oasis with lagoon birds, including seasonal flamingos. See frigate birds, pelicans and other sea birds doing salt cleansing dives to the lagoon's surface.
Santiago (James)
James Bay: An easy stroll, observing Darwin's finches and the Galapagos hawk. Near the shores, you can experience excellent birding too. Easily more than ten species of migrants can be recorded here.
Great location for spotting those rare avian visitors that will use Galapagos as their stepping stone on their arduous sea voyage. The black lava rock formations are spectacular too.
Rabida (Jervis) This Island is famous for its red sandy beaches and offers you unique turquoise waters and beautiful lush green highlands. Rabida is a good place to practice snorkeling and will also delight you with unforgettable sunsets.
North Seymour
Just like Baltra Island, this is part of the rare Galapagos island group. This flat piece of land originated after an uplifting event thousands of years ago. That gave the island its flat look. Here you'll see endemic Palo Santo trees, colonies of blue-footed boobies, swallow tailed gulls and amazing frigate birds.
San Cristobal
Here is where Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, which is the Galapagos Island Capital and the airport of the same name are located. Some island endemics like the lava lizard and mockingbird are found here. Sea lions at the harbor are delightful to watch. There's a lot to explore and to discover at San Cristobal Island.
Santa Cruz
Puerto Ayora is the main city of this Island. The well known Academy Bay site is located here. It is also home to the Charles Darwin Foundation. Giant tortoises are seen here and seasonally in the highlands where they graze on the pastures of local farms. Up in the highlands, the Pit Craters (Los Gemelos) is an outstanding area for bird watching and observation of flora of the highlands.
Genovesa (Tower) Island
Darwin Bay: Formed after a caldera collapse. Its steep cliffs dominate the island. It is called "the bird island" because it is home to thousands of frigate birds, red footed boobies, noddy terns, lava gulls, tropic birds, doves, storm petrels and Darwin's finches. You can enjoy good snorkeling along the amazing cliff sides.
Prince Philip's Steps: Walk on lava rocks. A Palo Santo forest full of nesting birds. You have a good possibility of seeing the unique "Short eared owl." Nazca boobies, great frigate birds, red footed boobies and flycatchers are outstanding representatives of the avian life forms on Tower. Enjoy the amazing sunsets that here really win the prize! Genovesa Island is known as the Bird Island.
Request more information about our Galapagos Islands tours:
| Home | About Us | Promotions | Testimonials | Request a Personalized Itinerary | eNewsletter Sign Up | Email Us | Live Skype Chat |
