Dive Into the Wildlife-Rich Waters of the Galápagos

The Galápagos Islands are located 620 miles (1,000 kilometers) from the South American mainland but a world apart from anywhere else on Earth. The archipelago and its surrounding waterslocated where three ocean currents convergeare famed for the unique animal species that piqued the interest of Charles Darwin in 1835. Decades later Darwin drew on his experiences here when penning his landmark theory of evolution by natural selection.

The actively volcanic islands are home to fascinating creatures found nowhere else on Earthincluding marine iguanasgiant tortoisesflightless cormorantsand a diverse variety of finches. Darwin noted that although all of the islands shared similar volcanic compositionsenvironmentand climateeach isolated isle was home to its own set of unique species. Darwin suspected that these species had adapted to a unique diet and the microenvironment of their locale.

Most exciting for visitors is the lack of fear and even curiosity with which the Galápagos animals typically regard humans. Incredibleup-close encounters are the norm here. And while the islands are a living laboratory of evolutionary changetheir ecosystems have remained remarkably unchanged. Some 95 percent of the islands' pre-human biodiversity remains intact—a remarkable figure. But even this paradise hasn’t remained totally pristine.

Threats from high levels of poorly regulated tourism (the islands welcome some 100,000 annual visitors)overfishingand the introduction of invasive species landed the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2007.

But this first of all World Heritage sites has experienced some positive changes in recent years. The committee has recognized Ecuador’s progress in strengthening conservation measures designed to protect the priceless areaand the Galápagos were removed from the threat list in July 2010.

How to Get There

The islands have two airportsIsla Baltra and Isla San Cristóbalwhich are serviced by regular flights from mainland cities Quito and Guayaquil.

How to Visit

Accommodations are available on several islandsand public boat and plane services allow visitors to move about the archipelago. But perhaps the best way to experience the Galápagos is by boat. Whether your interests lie in bird watchingdivingsnorkelingsurfingor other activities an appropriate tour option exists—including National Geographic Expeditions.

When to Visit

There is never really a bad time to visitbut part of the government’s plan to protect these islands includes limiting the number of visitors to each island at any given time. Tour itineraries are coordinated with this regulation in mindand most crowding issues occur from peak season of mid-June through September and again in mid-December to mid-January.

From December through May the islands tend to be quieter (excepting the holiday period mentioned above)but frequent sunshine is also punctuated with almost daily rain showers. As water temperatures change and seasons shiftdifferent types of wildlife become more or less plentiful—so it’s worth keeping a “must-see” species list in mind when planning your itinerary.