Galapagos Islands HOLIDAYS

Nothing will prepare you for what a holiday in the Galapagos Islands has to offer. Located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador and lying isolated in the centre of the Pacific Ocean, the ‘enchanted islands’ are a nature lovers’ paradise. The 19 islands, 13 major and 6 smaller, each originating from undersea volcanoes that erupted over 600 million years ago, now form part of Ecuador’s National Park system.
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OUR FAVOURITE THINGS TO DO ON THE Galapagos Islands

THE BOATS

We offer a selection of boats, each with varying characteristics and itineraries. They all come with on board naturalists and include all meals.  Boats vary from large to small, to medium and some of the catamarans on offer are the best available.

SNORKELLING

Not every island within the Galapagos are good for snorkelling and some are better than others. Don’t expect colourful coral reefs, but you will swim in harmony with seals, sea lions, penguins and turtles, leaving life long memories

BIRDLIFE

The variety of birdlife here is simply incredible.  Even if you are not even into birds, you cannot fail to be impressed with a bird whose neck blows up into a bright red balloon to attract a mate, or a totally normal looking bird with 2 blue feet!

DIVING

Diving in the Galapagos is one of the most advanced dive places in the world, so you will need experience. Expect superb drift dives, cliff drops and diving with some of the most curious animals in the world

THE ISLANDS

The Galapagos islands are a chain of volcanoes, some of which are dormant, others active. With 19 islands in total; 13 major ones and 6 smaller ones, and each wildly different from the other, this is like no place on earth.

MAMMALS

The thing to know about the Galapagos is that the mammals have no fear.  There are no natural predators on the islands for them, so you actually need to be careful where you walk as it is easy to tread on them.

MAP OF THE Galapagos Islands

The Islands

Latin Odyssey have given a great service, tailoring the trip to meet our needs. All the transfers worked like clockwork and we stayed in some very high quality hotels and a lovely boat in the Galapagos.

Jackie M

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OUR FAVOURITE BOATS IN THE Galapagos

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Athala II

The Islands

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Athala II

The Islands

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Aqua Mare

The Islands

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Aqua Mare

The Islands

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Eric, Flamingo & Letty

The Islands

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Eric, Flamingo & Letty

The Islands

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when to go to Galapagos Islands

SELECT THE MONTH YOU WANT TO TRAVEL

J

This is the beginning of the rainy season. Land birds start nesting, generally after the first rain. On Hood (Espanola) Island adult marine iguanas become brightly coloured (green & red & black) and green sea turtles arrive to beaches for egg laying period. Land iguanas begin reproductive cycles on Isabela Island and both, water and air temperatures rise and stay warm until June. Ideal time for snorkelling

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Greater flamingos start nesting on Floreana Island. Bahama pintail ducks (Black-tailed pintail) start their breeding season and Nazca (masked) boobies on Hood are at the end of their nesting season. Marine iguanas nest on Santa Cruz Island. The highest water temperature reaches 25C (77F) and this temperature remains constant until April. Very few penguins are sighted at Bartolome Island (most have followed the cool waters back to the west or near up welling areas) and it’s the nesting season of the Galapagos dove.

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The rainy season reaches the highest precipitation (this does not mean it rains everyday) with sporadic tropical rains, intense sun and humid conditions. Air temperature can reach up to 30C (86F). Marine iguanas nest on Fernandina and the waved albatross arrive at Española. The western islands have warm waters where snorkelling is excellent – penguins still active in the water, next to tropical fish! Wet landings at places like Puerto Egas, Gardner Bay and Bartolome can sometimes be a challenge.

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Argentina can be visited all year round, especially Iguazu and Buenos Aires, however the country can be split up into two distinctive seasons; their summer which is November to Feb and May to September is their winter.

Argentina can be visited all year round, especially Iguazu and Buenos Aires, however the country can be split up into two distinctive seasons; their summer which is November to Feb and May to September is their winter.

Argentina can be visited all year round, especially Iguazu and Buenos Aires, however the country can be split up into two distinctive seasons; their summer which is November to Feb and May to September is their winter.

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Blue-footed boobies begin their courtship on North Seymour. Sea turtles are still hatching on Gardner Bay, Punta Cormorant, and Puerto Egas and most of the marine iguanas’ eggs hatch from nests on Santa Cruz. Palo Santo trees begin to shed their foliage and Waved albatross start laying their eggs on Espanola. Ban-rumped storm petrels begin their first nesting period.

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Beginning of the garua season, so expect some fog in the late evenings, early mornings. Giant tortoises on Santa Cruz Island migrate from the highlands to the lowlands in search of suitable nesting places. South east trade winds return, so currents become a bit stronger and seas pick up in surge and wave action. Many red pouches can be seen by males of the Frigate birds on North Seymour. Some groups of Humpback whales which migrate up to equatorial latitudes along the coast of Ecuador can often be seen in the Galapagos.

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Sea bird communities are very active (breeding), especially the Blue footed boobies on Española. Flightless cormorants perform beautiful courtship rituals and nesting activities on Fernandina. If you walk along the shores of Puerto Egas (Santiago Island) you could find American oystercatchers nesting. Lava lizards initiate mating rituals until November and whales & dolphins are more likely to be seen especially off the western coast of Isabela. It is a great month to see the four stages of nesting in Blue footed boobies: eggs, chicks, juveniles and sub adults. Water temperature are no higher than 21C (68F)

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Galapagos hawks court on Española and Santiago. Nazca (masked) boobies and Swallow-tailed gulls nest on Genovesa Island. The temperature of the ocean drops to 18C (64F), which obviously varies according to the geographic zones among the islands. Migrant shore birds start to arrive, and stay on the islands until March, whilst giant tortoises return to the highlands of Santa Cruz. The oceans are quite choppy as currents at their strongest levels, so expect surges along the shores. Pupping season (births) of sea lions has started. Western and central islands are common places for such sightings.

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Peak of the cold (garúa) season, air temperature reaches its lowest levels (19C/66F). Galapagos Penguins show remarkable activity on Bartolome. From May; swimming and snorkelling with penguins is common as they are active on the surface or torpedo-like while underwater. Sea lions are very active. Females have reached oestrus stage, and so harem-gathering males are constantly barking and fighting and the western and central islands are the most active ones in terms of sea lions activity. Most species of sea birds remain quite active at their nesting sites.

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Lava herons start nesting until March and the Galapagos Fur Sea lions begin their mating period. Blue footed boobies raise chicks all over Española and Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela) whilst giant tortoises are still laying eggs. Days are not always sunny, so expect some Garua sea mist in most locations, except the western islands where most days have a misty start but after few hours of daylight it burns off. Sunrises in the west can be stunning after the garúa covers only certain locations of the western volcanoes. Summits are clear, but low-lying fog covers the shoreline.

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Pupping of sea lions continue so sea lions are sexually active on the eastern part of the archipelago. Breeding season for the brown noddies. Some species of jellyfish can be seen around the islands. The genus Physalia is commonly seen floating around Gardner and Tortuga Islets. Some can also be seen stranded at the shores of the Flour Beach at Floreana. Band-rumped storm petrels begin their second nesting period. Seas are generally calm as the south east trade winds have decreased and the water temperatures are slowly rising. Generally great weather due to transition between one season and the next. Good visibility for snorkelling. Sea lion pups can be seen whilst snorkelling and they are curious enough to nibble at your fins!

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Hatching of giant tortoise’s eggs begins and lasts until April and green sea turtles display their mating behaviour. The rainy season begins, though don’t expect too much; all of the plants of the dry zone produce leaves and the Galapagos becomes “green”. Can be great weather.

TRAVEL STORIES FROM THE Galapagos

Best islands for diving and snorkelling

Best islands for diving and snorkelling

Wildlife trips to South & Central America

Wildlife trips to South & Central America

Galapagos Islands Travel Guide tips

Galapagos Islands Travel Guide tips

Our tour guides in Ecuador

Our tour guides in Ecuador

Dream Destinations in Latin America

Dream Destinations in Latin America

Latin America Recommendations for 2014

Latin America Recommendations for 2014

How to get the best for your money in Latin America

How to get the best for your money in Latin America

Ecuador Travel – the place to go in 2013

Ecuador Travel - the place to go in 2013

Some of the world’s most romantic sunset spots

Some of the world’s most romantic sunset spots

Celebrity favourite hideaways in Latin America

Celebrity favourite hideaways in Latin America

AN OVERVIEW OF THE Galapagos Islands

Discovered in 1535 by a Spanish bishop and brought to the world’s attention in 1835 when the English naturalist Charles Darwin visited and discovered this living laboratory, which inspired his writings on the Theory of Evolution.

Many of the animals on the Galapagos have developed into species different from their continental relatives, and due to the rarity of predators have remained in an isolated world. This lack of fear shown by the wildlife will enable you to get within touching distance of almost any mammal or bird species in the archipelago. In fact, at times, it is difficult to avoid treading on them as they lie on the designated paths, grooming and cleaning themselves.

We have a selection of boats on offer, each with varying characteristics and itineraries. They all come with on board naturalists and are full board. Please be aware that cabins fill quickly especially on some of the smaller yachts where there are fewer cabins. Prices also vary depending on the type of vessel and cabin.

Explore THE GALAPAGOS

 

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
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GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
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