If you are an avid traveler, exploring the Galapagos Islands should be on your bucket list. With the five-week Charles Darwins’ visit in 1835 and the out-of-this-world display of different animals and fauna, Galapagos is an island drenched in folklore.
If you are yet to see photos of sea lions and sharks driving through the clear seas of this island and the giant tortoises munching through the green fields, then you should consider visiting this magnificent island.
The island’s reputation preceded itself with its many wonders, and it doesn’t matter if you’re staying on the island for a week, or just stopping by while on one of the Galapagos honeymoon cruises, there is something for everyone.
Here are some of the things you should do when visiting the Galapagos islands:
See Awe-inspiring Animals
Galapagos National Park has 2,017 endemic species, including 1,435 invertebrates, 79 fish, 45 birds, 42 reptiles, and 15 mammals. We recommend getting a trip guy equipped with local knowledge because it can sometimes be intimidating exploring the island. Consider taking a boat trip around the archipelago off Isla Isabela to see blue-footed booby birds, swooping pelicans, giant, colorful iguanas, nesting frigates, and super-cute penguins. You will also spot the famous giant tortoises at Rancho Primicias or the famous El Chato Tortoise Reserve.
Visit Charles Darwin Research Center
If you are into science and Darwin’s works, then you have to visit the Charles Darwin Research Center. It is an active breeding center maintained by educators, conservation researchers, and educators who have set up information on the island’s unique history and ecology.
Hike to Volcano Sierra Negra
If you are all about land-based adventure, then the Volcano Sierra hike should be on your travel itinerary. It is one of the most active volcanoes on the island and the second-largest volcanic caldera on earth, with a crater six miles wide. You will hike up to Sierra Negra’s rim and experience caldera’s active and geologic geothermal features, and pass lava fields and fumaroles releasing gas and steam on your way back.
Visit Peurto Ayora’s Fish Market
On Santa Cruz Island, Peurto Ayora is the primary residential town in Galapagos island. It is graced with shops, restaurants, and low-key nightlife; the Fish Market is a great place to enjoy the community’s cultural complements. Here, you can watch the fisherman batting off pelicans looking to steal the fish and spot them unloading their day’s catch. The market then transforms into an outdoor restaurant experiment by sundown, where they serve fresh seafood and fantastic prices.
Explore Lava Tunnels
On Santa Cruz island, Bellavista village is identified as home to lava tunnels and large enough tubes to walk through. With a simple flashlight, you can wander through tunnels 1,200 feet long and experience 23-foot high tubes that contained molten lava once. As a result, these tunnels ceased lava flow, causing the cooling and hardening of the tunnels.
Dive with The Sharks
If you are about water, then you should consider peering beneath the surface of the ocean. The island has abundant and striking marine life, which will make diving a worthwhile experience. The water is so clear that you will enjoy all the excellent views and fish under the island’s waters.
