 |
Geography and Geology
History and Exploration
Best Time to Visit the Galápagos Islands
The Wildlife
 Geography and Geology
The Galápagos Islands, 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, are made up of 19 islands and 42 islets or surfacing rocks. Stretched over a 174-mile axis from east to west, none of the islands has ever been connected to the mainland by any sort of land bridge. The Galápagos archipelago is entirely volcanic and one of the largest and most active groups of oceanic volcanoes in the world.
The first Galápagos island formed between three and five million years ago when volcanic eruptions began to break through the ocean floor. These initiated the building of underwater mountains, which continued to grow with successive eruptions, and their bases joined to form the Galápagos Platform. The process of island formation has continued on and off up until today – and will probably continue for millions of years.
back to top |
|
 History of Exploration
It appears that the first visitors to the Galápagos Islands were Indians from Ecuador. The Galápagos bear no archaeological remains of dwellings or other structures, so it is quite unlikely that any colonies were ever established there. Officially, the islands were discovered in 1535 when Fray Tomas de Berlanga (Bishop of Panama) and his ship were becalmed and drifted to the islands by the ocean currents. Without doubt, the most famous visitor to the Galápagos was Charles Darwin in 1835. He made extensive collections of plants and animals and observations of their natural history. Based on his observations, in 1859 he published the classic and revolutionary book On the Origin of Species.
The Galápagos was officially annexed by Ecuador in 1832. Over the years, some interesting personalities have inhabited the islands. The first man to live there for two years in the early 1800s was a "wild" Irish man, Patrick Watkins, who survived by growing vegetables and trading them for rum with the whalers. In 1832 a prosperous colony of convicts, political prisoners, and other unwanted people was established on Floreana. Floreana later became a fashionable island and many luxurious yachts called to pay a visit to the "Robinson Crusoes" of the island. Today, more than 20,000 people (mostly Ecuadorian Indians) live on the islands – the majority on Santa Cruz and San Cristobal.
The Galápagos Islands have had a variety of names in English and Spanish over the years. Nowadays, the official name for the islands is Archipelago de Colon – the more used name, however, remains Galápagos, which is the Spanish word for saddles. The Spanish first saw the saddle-backed tortoises and called them galapagos because their carapaces were shaped like the Spanish saddle
back to top |
|
Best Time to Visit the Galápagos Islands
The Galápagos Islands are virtually straddling the equator. So there is very little seasonal climate variation and most of the wildlife remains on the islands year round. That means no matter when you go, there’s always a lot to see!
 The Cool Season (April-October):
The cooler waters of the Humboldt Current bring rich oceanic upwellings to the Galápagos in April and stimulate the breeding season for sea lions and seabirds. During the cool season, daytime temperatures are generally in the 70s and water temperatures in the 60s (a wetsuit is recommended for snorkeling); this is the height of the breeding season—the best time of the year for viewing dancing boobies, courting albatrosses, baby sea lions, and whales, dolphins, and whale sharks, with comfortable short-sleeve weather for hiking. There is usually some fog that drifts in and out (known locally as garua) from late June to mid-October and a one- to two-foot chop in the open ocean during this time, but don’t let this deter you! This is a great time to visit the islands—wildlife abounds! April through June, in particular, is the best time for birders.
 The Warm Season (November-March):
In November, the Humboldt Current starts to recede and the warmer Panamic Current ushers in warmer daytime temperatures of 80-95 degrees and water temperatures in the low to mid-70s. Showers can accompany the warm season, but waters are generally calm and clear and showers are short and welcome. This is a great time to enjoy the warmer waters for snorkeling and to view green sea turtles that come into the islands to breed.
Average Monthly Temperatures in Galápagos: Air & Water
| Month |
Water |
Air |
| Jan |
70-75 |
80-95 |
| Feb |
70-75 |
85-95 |
| Mar |
70-75 |
85-95 |
| Apr |
65-72 |
75-80 |
| May |
65-72; |
75-78 |
| June |
62-68 |
72-75 |
| July |
62-68 |
78-73 |
| Aug |
62-68 |
68-72 |
| Sept* |
60-68 |
60-70 |
| Oct |
65-70 |
65-75 |
| Nov |
70 |
75-85 |
| Dec |
70-75 |
80-90 |
*September can be the roughest water in islands, so most yachts are in dry dock.
As you can see, the Galápagos Islands are truly a year-round destination and there really isn't a "best" time to go. In fact, these islands are one of the few destinations in the world where it's true to say that the best time to plan your trip is when it fits in your schedule!
back to top
|
Galápagos Wildlife
 The Galápagos archipelago is world famous for its fearless and unique wildlife. Nowhere else in the world can you can swim and snorkel with sea lions, penguins, and sea turtles; stand right next to a blue-footed feeding its chick; watch a giant 400-pound tortoise trudge through the forest; and try to avoid stepping on a "pile" of iguanas soaking up the sun on the island's black lava.
The dominant quadrupeds in the islands are reptiles - which is why Galápagos was long considered a refuge for prehistoric, primitive creatures. Galápagos has twenty-two species of reptiles belonging to five families: tortoises, marine turtles, lizards and iguanas, geckos, and snakes. Twenty of these are endemic to the archipelago and many are endemic to individual islands.
 Because the Galápagos Islands are surrounded by thousands of miles of open ocean, seabirds have a prominent place in the island's fauna. Five species (of 19) are endemic to Galápagos. For land birds, 22 of 29 resident species are endemic.
The mammal you'll see the most of is the Galápagos sea lion, but there's also a great chance to spot dolphins and whales when cruising between the islands. Scientists have recorded more than 300 species of fish, and snorkeling among schools of colorful tropical fish in Galápagos is an extremely rewarding experience.
To learn more, check out our Galápagos Slideshow - with stunning images and facts about Galápagos' exceptional wildlife.
back to top
|
|
|
For more information and reservations, please contact:
Mountain Travel Sobek
1266 66th Street, Suite 4
Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
Toll Free (USA and Canada): 1-888-831-7526
Phone: +1-510-594-6000
Fax: + 1-510-594-6001
Email: info@mtsobek.com
|
|
