Visiting the archipelago, you will see highly-adapted species, some endemic to individual Islands.
The wildlife on the Galapagos Islands, both on land and in the water, is exceedingly unique. Visiting the archipelago, you will see highly-adapted species, some endemic to individual Islands. There are many unique characters on the Galapagos Islands, below are some of our favourites.
The clumsiness and unassuming charm of the blue-footed booby is bound to win you over! The light-hearted and comical whistling and honking of their courtship ritual is wonderful to watch. The name ‘booby’ comes from the Spanish term ‘bobo’, which means ‘stupid fellow’ or ‘clown’. (Espanola, San Cristobal)
Most ornithologists consider the waved albatross to be endemic to the Galapagos, with only a few pairs nesting near the Ecuadorian mainland. The elegant and beautiful courting ritual of the waved albatross is transfixing to watch as they clash their beaks together in graceful rhythm. (Espanola)
Differentiated from seals by their external ears and method of moving on land, Galapagos sea lions are irresistible. The soft, dewy-eyed look of the newly born pups will have you reaching for your camera. Whilst in the water, these underwater acrobats will swoop playfully around you, twisting and somersaulting effortlessly. (Plaza Sur, Espanola, Santa Fe, Rabida & Santiago)
Slouched arrogantly on the rocks, their spiky black scales give them a punk-like quality. Supercilious and disdainful they stare with contempt at the approach of camera-touting groups. They are the only example of their species found in the world and can be submerged for up to an hour in the sea feeding on plankton along the rocks. (Espanola, Fernandina & Santa Cruz)
One of the island’s most celebrated residents, the giant tortoise is the world’s longest-living land animal with an average lifespan of 177 years. The tortoises are popular with all visitors to the Galapagos and a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island will give any visitor a great understanding of these unique and fascinating animals.
Similar to the great frigate species, the magnificent frigate has a vibrant red pouch used for attracting female counterparts. These birds are highly manoeuvrable and famous for waylaying other birds as they return to their nests after a days’ fishing.
Furthermore, the marine life of the Galapagos is truly incredible. From awesome whale sharks, hammerhead sharks to the endemic Galapagos penguin (the only penguin to live on the equator), the diversity is astounding. Dolphins will jump and surf at the bow of your boat and at certain times of the year, you may be lucky to have some amazing whale sightings.
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A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.
Wildlife is Roxy’s passion, so where better to immerse than in Darwin’s land? Having stepped on all but one of the islands in the archipelago and having personally visited our hand-picked selection of hotels and boats, there is little she does not know about the Galapagos Islands.
Half of the appeal of the Galapagos Islands is underwater, and a few minutes in the company of a five-metre manta ray off the coast of Isabela Island remains one of John’s most vivid memories of this incredible archipelago.
The moment a blue footed booby makes its dive and plunges like a dart into the water is special, but to see hundreds do this at once was a breath-taking experience that Paul was not prepared for.
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The Galapagos archipelago is made up of 19 main islands, which includes the largest Isabela and most populated Santa Cruz, three small…
Explore how millions of years of evolution shaped this World Heritage Site and inspired Darwin's Origin of Species.
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