Galapagos Islands - a truly unique and enchanting destination!
Prepare to be amazed by the remarkable wildlife that calls these volcanic islands home, creatures found nowhere else on Earth. Snorkel with playful sea lions, observe giant tortoises lumbering through the highlands, and witness the comical blue-footed boobies perform their mating dance.
The Galapagos Islands offer an unforgettable journey into a natural world unlike any other. Get ready for close encounters with fascinating animals and breathtaking scenery!
Galapgos Flora and Fauna
Galapagos is considered the living Laboratory of Evolution, filled with an extraordinary population of unique species not afraid of human beings such as the famous Galapagos giant tortoises, blue footed boobies, finches, flightless cormorants, land and marine iguanas, and penguins amongst many others.
In 1835 Charles Darwin visited the island to study its flora and fauna, it is here where he got inspired to write his famous book “The Origin of Species” and sparked a scientific revolution that changed conventional religious beliefs.
Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos is a group of 13 major islands and dozens of smaller islets and rocks that are the result of volcanic activity. The Galapagos Islands are located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean, the archipelago has been a National Park since 1959. The National Park Administration and the Charles Darwin Research Station, founded in 1964, look after the preservation of the islands, with native mammals, reptiles and birds protected. It is also the home of the famous Lonesome George, the last remaining giant tortoise of his sub-specie.
Galapagos year around
A calendar of main events
Land birds start nesting, generally after the first rain.
On Española the adult male marine iguanas become brightly colored.
The green sea turtle arrives to the beaches of Galapagos to lay their eggs.
Land iguanas begin reproductive cycles on Isabela.
Water sand air temperatures rise and stay warm until June.
Ideal time for snorkeling.
Masked boobies on Española are at the end of their nesting season.
Marine iguanas nest on Sta. Cruz.
The highest water temperature reaches 25º C (77º F). This temperature remains until April.
Very few penguins are sighted in Bartholomew.
The nesting season of the Galapagos dove reaches its peak.
Sporadic tropical rains, intense sun and hot climate. Air temperature can reach up to 30º C (86º F).
Marine iguanas nest in Fernandina.
March 21, the beginning of the summer equinox signals the arrival of the waved albatross to Española.
Hatching season ends for giant tortoises.
The eggs of the green sea turtles begin to hatch.
Land iguanas hatch on Isabela.
Sea turtles are still hatching on Gardner Bay, Punta Cormorant, and Puerto Egas.
Most of marine iguanas' eggs hatch from nests on Santa Cruz.
Palo Santo trees begin to shed their foliage.
Waved albatross on Española start laying their eggs.
Band-rumped storm petrels begin their first nesting period.
Giant tortoises on Sta. Cruz migrate from the highlands to the lowlands in search of suitable nesting places.
Beginning of the nesting season of giant tortoises.
It is possible to find oystercatchers nesting on Pto. Egas.
Lava lizard initiates mating rituals until November.
Whales are more likely to be observed, specially off the Western coast of Isabela.
Mask boobies and swallowtailed gulls nest on Genovesa.
The temperature of the ocean descends to 18º C (64º F). which obviously varies, according to the geographic zones among the islands.
Migrant shore birds start to arrive, and stay on the islands until March.
Giant tortoises return to the highlands of Sta. Cruz.
The air temperature reaches its lowest (19º C) (66º F).
Penguins demonstrate remarkable activity on Bartolome until December.
Sea lions are very active, especially in the western and central areas of the Archipelago.
Most species of marine birds remain active at their nesting sites.
The Galapagos fur seals begin their marine period.
Boobies raise their chicks on Española.
Giant tortoises still lay their eggs.
Sea lions are sexually active on the Eastern part of the Archipelago.
Breeding season of brown noddies.
Band-romped storm petrels begin their second nesting period.
Green sea turtles display their mating behavior.
The rainy season begins, all of the plants of the dry zone produce leaves, Galapagos turns green.
The first young albatross fledge.
Note: Due to changes in the strength and the limits of the ocean currents that can affect the weather in Galapagos, some of the events described above may differ.
