The Galapagos Islands aren’t the first place people think of when planning a vacation, but maybe it’s time for that to change. Especially since Ecoventura has carefully selected knowledgeable captains and crew. Plus their crews are incredibly knowledgeable about pretty much anything you can think of. I can guarantee, you are in good hands with the captain at the wheel and his excellent choice of the crew. With an ancient past and a thriving present, the Galapagos Islands offer visitors the chance to observe the local wildlife as Darwin did centuries ago.
Top Reasons to Visit Galapagos Islands
The Wildlife
The Galapagos Islands is a unique archipelago off the coast of Ecuador; the islands remain untouched by the predators and environmental forces of the mainland, creating a special environment for wildlife of all kinds. That is why Charles Darwin visited here in 1835.
If you love wildlife, you will love the Galapagos Islands. When you visit the islands on a luxury cruise or yacht, you will find giant sea tortoises, friendly sea lions, over 200 species of birds, aquatic lizards, and the Galapagos penguin. But this is just some of the wildlife you can see.
The Unique Environment
The Galapagos Islands are millions of years old, but unlike the mainland that was shaped by earthquakes, the Islands have emerged from the deep ocean thanks to volcanic activity. This means that the animals and plants that have emerged on the island are incubated and unique.
This special environment was what attracted Charles Darwin and his team in 1835, he wanted to study flora and fauna, but it inspired a world-changing theory. The unique environment is why people still visit the islands today; there is no other vacation like this trip on the planet.
The History
While the island’s natural history is millions of years old, it has some interesting recent history you might already be familiar with. Charles Darwin’s excursion to Galapagos Island in 1835 onboard his ship “The Beagle” was what inspired his world-changing theory of evolution.
The reason Charles Darwin was interested in the islands was because of their unique culture. The islands have evolved away from the mainland, offering the perfect laboratory conditions to observe the changing traits of animal life. Now, you can visit and observe the changes as well.
The Sea Life
Sealife is one of the main attractions of the Galapagos Islands; the islands are home to giant sea turtles, aquatic lizards, the only penguin north of the equator, and a plethora of tropical fish. This makes for the perfect conditions for a spot of snorkeling or scuba diving off the coast.
If you love sea life, but you don’t want to go diving, or if you visit with your family, then why not take a glass-bottom boat with Galapagos cruises. A glass-bottom boat is a perfect way to see what the islands have to offer without an underwater excursion; visit the website for details.
Photo by Gillian Marsh
The Birds
If you like birds, you will love the Galapagos Islands; these islands are home to over 200 species of birds, some of which you can see here and nowhere else. The Galapagos Penguin, for instance, is a unique species of bird native to the island; it is also a rare species of penguin.
The Galapagos Islands are perfect for bird watchers, so if you know your swallow-tailed gulls from your waved albatross, you will have a tremendous time on the island snapping uniques pictures on your long-range camera. But even non-specialists can enjoy some bird watching.
The Beaches
Of course, the Galapagos Islands are all about the wildlife, but they also have more to offer. The islands have a spectacular natural environment as well that you can enjoy with your family or as a solo traveler. One aspect of the island you will fall in love with are the splendid white beaches.
The sands on the beaches of the Galapagos islands are pure white and topical. The sand is soft to walk on and pleasant to lay on if your want to spend a few days soaking up the sun. And remember, there’s no need to be afraid of the native turtles; they are friendly and harmless.
The Towns
If you love nature, then the Galapagos Islands is the adventure of a lifetime, but even nature lovers need a bit of civilization from time to time. Luckily, the Galapagos Islands have you covered there as well; the Islands have a number of lovely quaint towns for your to visit.
The local towns are the perfect place to stop and unwind after a day at the beach or some time on a cruise. In the towns, you can find restaurants serving local cuisine and plenty of tourist shops to buy some souvenirs. Island life is the perfect blend of nature and civilization.
