A Galapagos travel experience begins 960 kilometers off the coast of Ecuador. The Galapagos Islands are actually a part of Ecuador though some people believe they are an independent country, or a part of Colombia or Peru.

There are 13 major islands in the Galapagos Archipelago, which lies 960 km / 600 miles from mainland Ecuador. In 1959, in order to preserve the original ecology and to control the introduction of new and potentially harmful species, 90% of the land surface and all of the ocean territory out to the national limits was designated an Ecuadorian national park.

Indigenous fauna here lives without natural predators. The birds, mammals, reptiles and especially the Galapagos Giant tortoises are virtually fearless. Visitors can walk along trails and pass within inches of numerous species. To minimize your impact on the fragile ecology, the park authorities have established rules which visitors must abide by and these are explained by qualified guides. On land, trails have been established and visitors are required to keep to the trails.

The Galapagos Islands are most famous for their role in naturalist Charles Darwin's theory of evolution through natural selection. The impact of the Galapagos in the ideas about evolution appears early in the annotations:

"If there is the slightest foundation for evolution, the zoology of the Galapagos will be well worth examining..."

Today, much of the wildlife once studied by Charles Darwin is still alive and thriving on the islands, giving nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts from across the globe a chance to observe some of the most rare and beautiful creatures on the planet in their natural habitats. The opportunities for wildlife observation are seemingly endless. The islands are world renown for its birds such as boobies, flightless cormorants, pelicans, penguins, and many others. The creatures on land and in the air represent only a portion of the life in and around the Galapagos. Underwater is a variety of vibrant tropical fish, giant rays, eels, dolphins, sharks and even whales.

With so much marine diversity, naturalist guided tours on board Galapagos cruises and yachts, snorkeling, scuba diving and land based tours are the most popular activities in the Galapagos. Ask to make sure that your tour includes opportunities to journey into the blue, or visit one of the local dive shops in Puerto Ayora to rent equipment and explore local beaches and snorkel spots on your own. With dozens of pristine white sand beaches, and hefty surf swells, there is no shortage of surfing, swimming and sunbathing sites on the islands.

Although the Galapagos Islands are composed of more than 30 islands, islets and more, not all of the Galapagos Islands are open to tourists and certain locations will have more visitors sites than others. What's more, most of the islands are extremely remote with very few small towns, making them accessible to visitors for short day visits only. Visitors should also know that many of the islands can only be accessed via cruise-boat tours with a proper guide and a relevant license.

The tourist hub of Puerto Ayora is located on Santa Cruz Island, and is where most of the Galapagos cruises begin and the majority of guides, agencies and information providers can be found. With an array of shops, restaurants, hotels and lodges, Puerto Ayora is the most convenient place to stay when you travel to the Galapagos Islands.

Galapagos Weather & Climate

The Galapagos Islands are located on the equator, so visitors hardly need to worry about cold temperatures. The Galapagos Islands has two main seasons, each of which has an effect on the flora and fauna: the warm and wet season from January to June and the cool and dry "garua" season, from July to December. During the garua season, cooler waters from the Humboldt Current are driven to the Galapagos by the southeast trade winds, with an average sea temperature of 22°C (71°F).

As a result, there is warm tropical air passing over cool water. The moisture evaporating from the sea is concentrated in an inversion layer (300 to 600 m above sea level) and the higher parts of the islands, which intercept this layer, receive precipitation in the form of garua (mist rain). While lowland areas remain dry though cool.

During the warm season the southeast trade winds diminish in strength and warmer waters from the Panama Basin flow through the islands. The average sea temperature rises to 25° C (77°F). Warmer waters cause the cool season inversion layer to break up, and the Galapagos Islands experience a more typical tropical climate with blue skies and occasionally heavy showers. In some years, the flow of warm water is much greater than normal, and an "El Niño" year results. Surface water temperatures are higher and rainfall can increase greatly. Life on land blossoms but seabirds and sea life, which depend on the more productive, cooler waters, may experience dramatic breeding failures.

Galapagos travel tips

Many visitors neglect to consider the difficulties and hazards of traveling by boat. The constant switch from land to water in the different Galapagos islands visitor sites, can be tough for people who aren't used to it, and tight cabin quarters make motion sickness a serious problem. Regardless of your boating experience, it is recommended that you bring some Dramamine or get a prescription for a motion sickness patch. Another medication, called Mareol, is available for purchase on many ships and in Puerto Ayora. It's also a good idea to bring painkillers, decongestants and any allergy medications you might need. Many ships will have first aid kits and medics available, but it never hurts to bring your own.

Visitors to the islands should be sure to pack sunglasses, high SPF waterproof sunscreen, a hat, a top with long sleeves, a swimsuit, a towel (bath and beach), Tevas or Chacos sandals, sneakers, raingear, a daypack, sweater/jacket, flashlight, plastic bags, extra batteries and an underwater camera. Experienced snorkelers and divers can also opt to bring their own equipment.

When is the best time of year to visit the Galapagos?

The Galapagos offer an agreeable climate all year-round, but January to May is regarded as warmer with temperatures reaching an average of 86F/30C. This is also the mating season for land birds and sea lions, as well as nesting season for turtles. Flowers bloom from February through April, the latter month also heralding the birth of new born sea lion pups. It is also more humid, but the waters are calmer and easier to snorkel and scuba, with visibility at its peak from January through March. However, there is also less to see below the surface. From June through December, the Humboldt current brings in nutrients and plankton, and with that seabirds, albatrosses, penguins, colorful fish, and even schools of hammerhead and whale sharks. This time of the year is also when the island's famous Blue-footed boobies perform their beguiling "sky point" love dance.

What should we bring?

Sunscreen with SPF 45, and aloe vera are both necessary. Wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses are recommended. Insect repellent is recommended also. Bring t-shirts, tank tops, shorts, light trousers (or skirts) for the day, and a light sweater for the evening. There is always the possibility of rain, so a waterproof jacket can also be useful. "Teva" sandals are popular, because they are suitable for wet, dry, and even volcanic surfaces. Bring snorkel gear, swimsuits, and wetsuits in accordance with what you plan to do. There are few ATMs outside of Puerto Ayora. You are advised to arrive with some cash and your camera. No immunizations are required.

What, exactly, do the Galapagos consist of?

The isolated archipelago in the Pacific Ocean waters is 600 miles, or 960 kilometers, west of the Ecuadorian Coast. Is important to know the Galapagos Islands are part of Ecuador. They consist of 13 principal islands, six smaller ones, and 107 rocks and islets. Some of the more famous geography includes Bartolomé Island, a volcanic islet featuring a variety of formations, and the ruddy (due to its iron-rich lava surface) Rábida Island, home to flocks of flamingos. Espanola features the spectacular waved albatross, while Santa Fe has the tall Opuntia cactus, and Floreana offers both flamingos and sea turtles.

What do I need to know about getting to the Galapagos?

She Galapagos are only legally accessible by air travel, departing from mainland Ecuador, and there are flights daily from Quito, Cuenca and Guayaquil. The travel time from the latter to the Galapagos is approximately 90 minutes. Airlines limit baggage to one checked suitcase, with a 40 lbs limit weight, and on carry-on bag. Up on arrival, you are expected to pay a National Park Service fee of $100 US dollars for adults, and $50 for children under twelve, which funds the islands. A domestic departure tax is usually included in the price of your plane ticket