The Galapagos Islands are most famous for Charles Darwin's wildlife laboratory, and for the last giant tortoise, Lonesome George. But the Islands have been kept much as Darwin left them, with creatures that look prehistoric, colourful birds - some of which are not found anywhere else on earth, amazing sealife meandering undisturbed through bright, clear water, and numerous animals lazing around on the ocean-washed rocks.
How to Explore the Galapagos Islands
Visitors to the Galapagos Islands may visit only with official guides, and there are strictly-enforced rules. These include:
- everyone must keep to the marked paths across the islands, and stay with their guide
- no food is to be brought onto the islands
- no smoking anywhere
- creatures must not be touched
- approaching animals for photography is permitted - but not so close as to disturb them.
Although these rules are strict, the guides take only small groups, usually twelve or fewer, so it's easy to hear their commentary and to ask questions. The creatures live such protected lives that they are usually very approachable - even big birds with chicks do not react to people wandering past at close range.
Probably the most popular base for a visit is on a small yacht, but there are larger yachts and the occasional ship taking up to 100 passengers. Landing is via zodiac inflatables or other very small boats, and is easy, and sometimes good fun (over the side of the zodiac into knee-deep clear warm water). There are, though, hotels on a couple of islands.
The Wildlife Across the Islands
The time-honoured favourite is the giant tortoise. There are many to be seen, they aren't at all shy, and their size lives up to their name. Possibly the 'minders' schedule feeding to coincide with popular visiting times (just Chinese potato leaves or elephants' ears leaves, Monday, Wednesday and Friday). It's great fun, with groups of perhaps twenty tortoises lumbering towards the meal, then munching slowly and noisily to their hearts' content.
Birds are many and varied. Darwin's Finches are dull in colour but cute and rare, and there are pelicans and herons, too. The Frigate Birds are a wonderful sight when frisky - the males puff up their throats into huge red balloons, and croak furiously, especially as a female passes in a low swoop to check them out.
Blue-footed boobies are not found anywhere else, and their webbed feet really are a gorgeous bright turquoise blue. They hang around singly, in pairs, or in family groups of two adults and one chick, and make wonderful photographic subjects.
Sealions crowd together on the pure golden sands, and they are noisy as well as friendly. They ignore people passing by, but at close quarters they may approach and give a nudge with their snouts.
Land iguanas (patchy orange, brown, yellow) plod alone around the undergrowth or across the walking paths - they are huge and appear prehistoric, though their skin looks permanently as if they are partially shedding it. Sea Iguanas are charcoal or black, and climb over the rocks and across the sand, or, in the cool of the evening, gather together in tangled heaps to keep warm.
Also on the rocks at the water's edge are the amazing Sally Lightfoot crabs. As youngsters they are very small and black, and are sadly often picked off by birds. Adults, though, are vividly coloured with red, pink and blue, very photogenic, and these seem to be the only creatures on the islands that react to the presence of humans - they scuttle away.
Creatures of the Ocean Around the Galapagos
On rocks on the ocean bed are various strange starfish, including one type called 'chocolate chip'. Penguins zoom through the water, brushing against the legs of snorkellers, and multicoloured fish swim both close to the bed and just below the surface (easily seen from a glass-bottom boat). Sometimes it's possible to spot dolphins and whales, too.
Preparing to Visit the Galapagos Islands
A high factor sunblock is vital, as the Islands straddle the Equator - although with currents and light winds it is rarely uncomfortably hot. When on a trip to a particular island, there is no real shelter, so a large hat is a must, too.
It is worth asking the doctor or pharmacist for advice on avoiding altitude sickness (some recommend Diamox), especially if asthma is a concern. Travel is usually via Quito, which is about 9,000 feet above sea level, and altitude sickness may not make itself known for a few hours after arrival.
Strong walking shoes, such as good quality trainers, are recommended; although most walking paths are easy and flat, sometimes they pass over rocks.
Snorkeling gear will allow the best views of sealife, and some people use waterproof cameras for fantastic shots.
The Galapagos Islands really do offer the trip of a lifetime. Such wonderful rare and colourful creatures, photographic opportunities galore, and some education and souvenir tee shirts too. Visitor numbers are already very limited, but It seems that the authorities are considering both reducing them further and increasing costs. A visit earlier rather than later is a good idea.
Jacqueline Pye - Jacqueline is a former teacher & educational psychologist, and a writer with many articles published. She is an expert vegetarian cook, ...
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