Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Galápagos Islands

Ecuador · Galápagos · 6 m

Description

The Galápagos Islands (Islas Galápagos) are Ecuador's most famous natural wonder and one of the world's most remarkable wildlife destinations. Located about 1,000 km (620 mi) off the country's Pacific coast, the volcanic archipelago became world-famous through Charles Darwin's visit in 1835 and is closely associated with the development of the theory of evolution by natural selection. The islands are renowned for their unique wildlife, including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and sea lions, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. Their crystal-clear waters also rank among the world's finest destinations for snorkeling and diving. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, the Galápagos Islands are protected by strict conservation measures to preserve their extraordinary ecosystems.

Length of stay

Recommended length of stay: 4 to 10 days (optimal 7 days)

Travel season

Best time to visit: June – November

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Highlights

  1. Galápagos National Park
  2. Charles Darwin Research Station (Santa Cruz Island)
  3. Galápagos Cruise(Multi-day trip)
  4. Giant Tortoise Reserves (Santa Cruz Island)
  5. Tortuga Bay (Santa Cruz Island)
  6. Las Grietas (Santa Cruz Island)
  7. El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve (Santa Cruz Island)
  8. Los Gemelos (Santa Cruz Island)
  9. Snorkeling with Sea Lions and Marine Iguanas
  10. Blue-footed Booby Colonies
  11. Frigatebird Colonies
  12. Penguin Watching
  13. Sea Turtle Watching
  14. Kicker Rock (San Cristóbal Island)(Day trip)
  15. North Seymour Island(Day trip)
  16. Bartolomé Island(Day trip)
  17. Pinnacle Rock (Bartolomé Island)(Day trip)
  18. Santa Fe Island(Day trip)
  19. South Plaza Island(Day trip)
  20. Española Island(Day trip)
  21. Genovesa Island(Day trip)
  22. Floreana Island(Day trip)
  23. Devil's Crown (Floreana Island)(Day trip)
  24. Isabela Island(Day trip)
  25. Sierra Negra Volcano (Isabela Island)(Day trip)
  26. Volcán Chico (Isabela Island)(Day trip)
  27. Tintoreras Islets (Isabela Island)(Day trip)
  28. Wall of Tears (Isabela Island)(Day trip)
  29. Concha de Perla (Isabela Island)(Day trip)
  30. Fernandina Island(Day trip)
  31. Punta Espinoza (Fernandina Island)(Day trip)
  32. San Cristóbal Interpretation Center (San Cristóbal Island)(Day trip)
  33. Cerro Tijeretas (San Cristóbal Island)(Day trip)
  34. Playa Mann (San Cristóbal Island)(Day trip)
  35. Puerto Egas (Santiago Island)(Day trip)
  36. Darwin Bay (Genovesa Island)(Day trip)
  37. Prince Philip's Steps (Genovesa Island)(Day trip)
  38. Diving at Darwin and Wolf Islands(Multi-day trip)
  39. Hammerhead Shark Diving (Darwin and Wolf Islands)(Multi-day trip)
  40. Whale Shark Diving (Darwin and Wolf Islands) (June - November)(Multi-day trip)

Getting there

Airports:
GPS, SCY
Seaport:
Reachable by ship or ferry

Map view

More travel destinations in Ecuador

Ecuador country pageEcuador in the Explorer