Indeed, the Galapagos are perhaps the most fascinating zoological, botanical and geological wonder of the world. The islands are home to some of the oldest animals in the world, such as the Giant Tortoise, which can live for more than 100 years, as well as other reptiles of prehistoric appearance, such as the land and marine iguanas. Most of the birds of the archipelago are endemic and unique to this special part of the world, such as the Blue-footed and Masked Boobies, Galapagos Hawks, Pelicans and Darwin finches. The oldest animals of the Universe are here like the Giant Tortoises that live more than 100 years, other reptiles of prehistoric appearance like the land and marine iguanas. The penguins and sea lions can be seen swimming in the blue sea. Most of the birds of the archipelago are endemic such as blue footed and masked boobies, Galapagos hawks, pelicans, finches of Darwin. The cleared flamingos that have made of the islands a special habitat, the frigates and cormorants, are some samples of the wonders animals of this natural laboratory. In addition to an impressive flora endemic and unique in the world, make to this place a real paradise, declarated by UNESCO Natural Patrimony of the Humanity.

It is also possible to see a large variety of fauna in the brilliant seas of the Galapagos, such as penguins and sea lions, as well as small, multicoloured fish and enormous mammals, such as whales and sharks. This aquatic world is considered to be one of the seven most important places in the world of diving. And let's not forget the diverse flora also found in the Galapagos, all of which make the islands an extremely unique and fascinating place. As a result of this most special diversity, the islands are yet another of Ecuador's many regions that have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS DESCRIPTION

WHEN YOU ARRIVE TO THE AIRPORT OF QUITO OR GUAYAQUIL ON THE DAY OF YOUR GALAPAGOS TRIP

When you arrive at the Quito or Guayaquil airport, you will need to purchase your INGALA card ($20, CASH only) and go through luggage inspection (SIGAL) prior to flight check in. Once these steps are completed, please proceed to the ticket counter with your original passport and ticket for flight check-in.

Upon arrival to the Galapagos Islands, you will pay your park entrance fee ($100, CASH ONLY), and will meet your tour group outside the airport.  You will see a sign with the name of your yacht in Galapagos.  If you were provided with pins or stickers, please wear them when you arrive. 

From all of us, enjoy your cruise!!!

ANIMALS AND WILDLIFE

When it comes to widlife, no place on Earth compares to the Galapagos.  Dragons  that  dive  to  over  30  feet  beneath  the  waves  in  search  for  food,  penguins  over  one  thousand  miles  away from Antarctica, flightless birds that swim and fish underwater  like  bullet  torpedoes  and  prehistoric  giant  tortoises  with  elephant-like  feet  that  once  roamed  the  earth with dinosaurs, are just a small fraction of the nearly 9,000 species, most found nowhere else in the world, that make the Galapagos Islands a haven for life.The abundant wildlife that inhabits the archipelago year-round includes; boobies (blue, nazca and red), flightless cormorants,  flamingoes,  finches,  frigatebirds  (great  and magnificent), Galapagos hawks, iguanas (land and marine), Galapagos  penguins,  sea  lions,  fur  seals,  giant  tortoises,  dolphins, sea turtles, rays, whales and many more.There  are  a  a  handful  of  species  that  migrate  to  the  islands   including;   the   waved   albatross,   whale   sharks,   humpback whales and several other smaller bird species.

WHAT TO BRING TO THE ENCHANTED ISLANDS?

Important Articles that you will have to bring to the Galapagos Islands

•    Sun hat with wide brim
•    Small Backpack
•    Shorts (2)
•    Short and Light Shirts (4)
•    Light Pants (2)
•    Sweater (1)
•    Windbreaker (1)
•    Jacket or rain poncho (1)
•    Good sports shoes for walking (1)
•    Beach sandals (1 pair)
•    Sunglasses
•    Bathing suit or swimwear
•    Camera and camcorder
•    Binoculars

CLIMATE IN THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS 

The climate in the Galapagos Island is the result of a unique combination of ocean currents, winds and geographic landforms. Diverse microclimates may exist within the same island and certainly, each island may experience quite different weather conditions.There are only 2 seasons in the Galapagos Islands. The first one is known as the Dry Season and the second one is the Warm Season.
Dry Season:
The Garua season goes From June to December the dry season brings a more humid and hotter climate. The temperature varies from 78ºF to 84ºF during the day and form 70ºF to 76ºF at night. During the day there is a little precipitation which lasts in between 1 and 2 hours. The Humbolt current makes the sea temperature cooler the currents calmer and the winds lighter. Cloudy days and a small drizzle. This actually makes  the climate fresher so dont expect all sunny days but a cooler weather for the hiking , no need of A/C or fan during the night and almost no mosquitoes. The colder wáter brings more plancton and more wildlife, this is the best time of the year to spot whales during the boat transports.

Warm Season:
From December to May the warm season brings cloudier skies and a more tropical weather. The temperature varies from 68F TO 76F. The current of El Niño makes the sea temperature warmer so it is perfect to snorkel and swim. Precipitation is common during this season. Days can be really hot (more than 30 degrees) and the wáter is warm due to Panama current entering in the islands marine reserve. No need for a wetsuit , sunny days, if you need to warm up from the Winter back home, this is the good season! Expect heavy tropical rains that can last 1 to 3 hours  ( really, we have not  that much days with rain all day long, it can happen but not on all islands at the same time). Due to the rains all the islands are greener.  In between these two seasons would be the transition time where you can have a bit of both seasons!
TIPS: if you do not depend on kids holidays, try to travel in low season: September-October,  February, or May-June: you have less people on the visitor sites and still enjoy the same fauna/flora as the rest of the year
 

Galapagos Natural Events Calendar

JANUARY

The rainy season begins.
Ideal time for snorkeling.
Land birds start to nest, usually after the first rains.
The temperature of the air and the water rises and it stays warm until June.
On Española Island: adult marine iguanas become nicely colored.
The green sea turtles arrive on beaches to lay eggs.
Land iguanas begin to breed on Isabela Island.

FEBRUARY

Nesting season for the Galapagos dove reaches its highest point.
On Floreana Island the greater flamingos start to nest.
Masked boobies on Hood are at the end of their nesting season.
The water reaches it highest temperature of 25C (77F). This temperature remains constant until April.
Several penguins are seen on Bartolome Island.
Marine iguanas nest on Santa Cruz Island.

MARCH

Marine iguanas nest on Fernandina.
Wet landing can be a challenge at places like Puerto Egas, Gardner Bay and Bartolome.
The rainy season reaches its highest pointy (not necessarily means that rains all day).
Snorkeling can be done for longer periods due to the water temperatures.
The air temperature can rise up to 30C (86F). Humidity is high.
Around mid-march is the beginning of summer time and marks the arrival of the waved albatross on Española.

APRIL

Green sea turtles’ eggs begin to hatch.
Good visibility under water while snorkeling.
Massive arrival of the waved albatross on Española.
One of the best months in Galapagos due to its weather, water temperature and wildlife.
End of the breeding season of the giant tortoises.
Eggs of land-iguanas start to hatch on Isabela.
The rain season end, but the islands stay green.

MAY

One of the best months in Galapagos due to its weather, water temperature and wildlife.
Water begins to get colder by mid-may.
Waved albatrosses on Española start to lay their eggs.
North Seymour's blue-footed boobies start their breeding season.
Sea turtles are still breeding on Gardner Bay and Punta Cormorant.
The Palo Santo trees start to lose their leaves.

JUNE

Southern migrants have started their journey to the North. Galapagos is a resting place for such birds. Some cetaceans follow the same patron.
Currents become stronger. The seas are wilder with bigger waves.
Beginning of the “garua” season (intermittent rains).
Giant tortoises on Santa Cruz Island migrate from the highlands to the lowlands looking for the best places for their nests.
Many red pouches of great male frigate birds are seen on North Seymour.
Some groups of humpback whales that migrate to the equator along the coasts of Ecuador can reach Galapagos.
Clouds begin forming on the mayor Islands.

JULY

Water temperature does not pass 21c (68F).
Seabirds are very active (breeding), especially the blue-footed boobies on Española.
“Cetaceans” (whales & dolphins) are seen more often, especially at the West coast of Isabela.
Cormorants show marvellous mating rituals on Fernandina.
Lava lizards start with their mating rituals until November.
Great month to see the four stages of the nesting of the Blue-footed boobies: eggs, chicks, juveniles and sub-adults.

AUGUST

Migrating coastal birds begin to arrive and stay on the island.
The “popping” season (birth) of the sea lions starts, especially on the Western and Central Islands.
Galapagos hawks mate on Española and Santiago (James).
Giant tortoises return to the highlands of Santa Cruz after nesting.
Masked boobies and Swallow-tailed gulls nest on Genovesa Island.
The temperature of the ocean drops to 18C (64F).
Oceans are quite unpredictable; currents are at their strongest level.

SEPTEMBER

Most seabirds stay quite active on their nesting places.
The air temperature reaches its lowest points (19C-66F).
Galapagos penguins show remarkable activity on Bartolome.
Swimmers on Bartolome can enjoy the penguins swimming around them.
The highest point of the cold season.
Sea lions are very active. Females have reached the estrus stage and because of this males are constantly barking and fighting.

OCTOBER

Giant Tortoises are still laying eggs.
Blue-footed boobies raise their chicks on Española and Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela).
Lava herons start to nest until March.
The Galapagos sea lions begin their mating period.
Sunrises can be very beautiful after the garua covers several locations of the Western volcanoes.
Days are not always sunny. Garua can be expected at most of the locations, except for the Western Islands where the days start foggy but after a couple of hours the sun takes over.
The summits are clear, but low hanging haze covers the coastal lines.

NOVEMBER

In general great weather because of the transition of one season to another. The birth of young sea lions is still happening.
Sea lions are sexually active on the Eastern part of the Archipelago.
"Band-rumped storm petrels" start their second nesting period.
Seas are calm. The temperature of the water rises slowly.
Good visibility under water for snorkeling.
The young sea lions (especially on Champion Islet) play aqua-aerobics next to the snorkelers.
Some types of jellyfish can be seen around the islands. The ‘genus Physalia’ is generally seen floating around Gardner and Tortuga Islets.

DECEMBER

The first waved albatrosses are raised.
The eggs of the giant tortoises start to hatch.
Great weather conditions.
The rainy season starts, all plants of the dry zone start to produce leaves.
Galapagos becomes greenish.

Climate Chart

Planning your trip :Guidelines for eco-friendly packing

 What we take with us when we travel is often an overlooked aspect of our trip planning, but it is equally important– and often says a lot about the sort of people we really are. Proper planning and packing offers an opportunity to make a difference in terms of the impact of your journey. Wise decisions about what ends up in your luggage can pay environmental dividends both while you are away, but also at home. Of course, much of what you pack depends on the nature of the trip, the destination and when you go, but even so, there are a few general guidelines to eco-friendly packing that are useful for any trip: 

Travel light The heavier your bags, the more fuel motorized transport (i.e. car, bus or plane) has to expend to get you to your destination—so try traveling light. Excess packaging and disposable goods are high on the list of things to avoid. In many areas of mainland Ecuador and the Galápagos, waste disposal presents major practical and economic difficulties – and there is little point in contributing to the problem. Remove all excess packaging before setting off for the more remote areas of the world – and recycle whatever you can of these materials while at home. 

Staying fresh and clean When it comes to personal hygiene – particularly if you plan to venture “off the beaten path” to more remote areas– bear in mind that the water you will be washing in may run directly back into the marine ecosystem or may be someone else’s drinking water. Avoid using conventional soaps, shampoos or detergents. There are a number of biodegradable (eco-friendly) cleaning agents and soaps available from shops and online retailers that can help overcome this problem. (For example, in the United States many camping and outdoor adventure supply stores such as EMS and REI sell biodegradable soaps and detergents. Other brands that offer biodegradable products are Kiss My Face, Dr. Bronners Magic Soap, and Whole Foods, just to name a few). 

Practice your “Eco-Logic” There are many practical ways to make a difference on a daily basis. For example: 
• Ask for glass cups and dinnerware instead of plastic when in a restaurant. 
• Opt for drinks in glass bottles, as these tend to be re-used, and do not require the use of a straw. 
• Take time to sit and enjoy a meal. Avoid fast food or take out and thus the disposable dinnerware/utensils that accompany it. 
• Bring your own reusable shopping bag whenever you need to make purchases. 
• Batteries are often one of the most damaging products that are left behind—if you take them in to Galápagos, please also take them out. 
• Be sensitive to limited resources like water, fuel and electricity. And so on … 
Bringing it home 
Remember, an eco-friendly attitude should not be limited to your time abroad! While the information presented here is important for reducing negative impacts during your travels, it is also necessary to take steps at home to adopt a more eco-friendly lifestyle.