Why Would Anyone Want to Visit the Galápagos Islands?

It’s the "slow season" for commercial California whitewater rafting, so it’s a great time to run away from the office.  Upon return from my recent escape, a co-worker asked, “Why would you want to visit the Galápagos Islands?  Aren’t they a bunch of barren, volcanic islands and you see the same wildlife over and over again?”

Interesting, I’d never heard that response before.

I suspect if one tires easily of swimming and snorkeling with playful sea lions, turtles, rays, eels, sharks, iguanas and countless fish, or if the 29 endemic species of birds, such as the Galápagos penguin and hawk, flightless cormorant, and the gray lava gull aren’t intriguing, then the Galápagos Archipelago might not be a place of interest.   (Did I mention fields of wandering giant tortoises and the native populations of blue footed boobies, Nazca (masked) boobies, waved albatrosses, magnificent frigatebirds and brown pelicans?) 

Are the islands volcanic?  Yes.  Boring?  No way!  Some of the younger islands resemble moonscapes.  Others, such as Santa Cruz where the Charles Darwin Research Center is located, are lush and colorful.  All islands are host to a series of wildlife, bird-life and sea life, many unique to their specific island.  There are 13 major islands in the Galápagos, 5 of which are inhabited, including Santa Cruz, Baltra, San Cristobal, Isabela and Santa Maria (aka Floreana).  The other islands are uninhabited, but are visited by tourists.  The islands are located approximately 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador.

The conversation with my co-worker gave me pause to think.  I had never known anyone to think of the Galápagos as a waste of a good vacation.  So, in his honor, I came up with a variety of reasons to visit the Galápagos Islands:

10.  If it’s good enough for Prince Charles and Camilla, it’s good enough for you… According to a February 13th Telegraph article, “The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will visit the Galápagos Islands as part of a tour of South America.  Their royal highnesses’ visit is timed particularly to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Darwin, the 150th anniversary of the publication of his book “On the Origin of Species” and the 50th anniversary of the Galapagos National Park."

9.  Why go now?  Any time is a good time to visit.  I had thought about experiencing the Galápagos for years… and it just so happened it was economically feasible, as some companies were willing to negotiate a bit on their prices.  Mid-winter, mid-financial uncertainty certainly helped.

8.  Sandy beaches, sunny skies, warm weather.  Need I say more?

7. The Galápagos Islands are a photographer’s dream.  Unique landscapes and exotic, fearless wildlife = outstanding images for photographers of any skill level. 

6.Snorkeling in the Galápagos is like nothing you’ve ever experienced.  Even if you’ve never snorkeled before – this is a great place to start.  The sea life is fearless, and the sea lions are often playful and will swim right up to you.  Imagine swimming with dozens of turtles as a penguin dives past and a reef shark passes under you.

5.  Fearless wildlife.  At every turn you need to watch where you step.  I wonder what would have happened if one of us had landed on an iguana’s tail?  The only creatures that darted away from humans were the Sally Lightfoot crabs.  Who can blame them though?  They kill and eat one another.

4.  Lonesome George needs the company.  He is the last known individual of the Pinta Island Tortoise.  The Charles Darwin Research Station, where Lonesome George lives, is well worth a visit.  It is operated by the Charles Darwin Foundation on Santa Cruz Island.  Over a hundred scientists, educators, volunteers, research students and support staff from all over the world conduct scientific research and environmental education for conservation. One of their many projects includes finding suitable mates for George.

3.  Unique sites. You’ll see rare species of plants and animals that are found nowhere else on earth.  It’s a chance to see for yourself what inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.

2.  Mail a letter from Post Office Bay on Isla Floreana and see if it does indeed arrive, hand delivered, to your friend or loved one’s doorstep.  Post Office Bay was long a favorite site of visitors including pirates, whalers and early settlers.  Leaving letters behind in a wooden barrel, other sailors and whalers returning home took it with them.  The tradition still continues, though for tourists, not pirates.

1.  Blue footed Boobies. 

Check out all of O.A.R.S.Galápagos vacation options, as well as trips offered by their partners in the Adventure Collection - a group of 10 of the most reputable adventure travel companies in the world.
 

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor