Celebrate Charles Darwin’s Birthday with a Visit to the Galapagos Islands

February 9, 2009.

February 12th marks the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birthday. His most famous work, "Origin of the Species," will also celebrate an anniversary this year … 150 years old.

The man who was born 200 years ago Thursday did not stumble on his theory of natural selection in one blinding insight when he observed the varied finches and mockingbirds and tortoises of the Galapagos Islands during the HMS’ Beagle stopover there. His first insights on evolution came to him two years after the Beagle returned to England. It wasn’t until 1859, more than 20 years after his visit to the Galapagos Archipelago, that Darwin completed his first great work, "On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection: The Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life."

The Galapagos Archipelago and the Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora on the island of Santa Cruz remain an international monument to his achievement.

Early morning on Academy Bay at Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Ecuador

For those interested in exploring the natural phenomena in the Galapagos, O.A.R.S. offers three trip options:

Galapagos Kayaking Tours – Sea Kayak the Enchanted Islands – 11 days
March 6, 13, 20, 27; April 3, 10, 17, 24; May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; June 5, 12, 19; July 3, 10, 17; August 7, 14

Galapagos Multi-Sport Adventure – 10 days
Feb 7, 14, 21, 28; Mar 7, 14, 21, 28; Apr 4, 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9, 16, 23 (Additional dates available upon request)