Tag: Galapagos Islands

Ecuador, Galapagos Islands

An Exploited Treasure: The environmental situation on the Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most amazing and diverse wildlife on the planet and are a fantastic opportunity to see evolution in action. Unfortunately it is painfully obvious when visiting the 3 most populated townships it’s humans who are thriving here. Making money from tourists eager to see the wildlife, while in the same breath importing more cars and plastic which is ultimately destroying the natural treasure people are coming in the thousands to see. Continue reading An Exploited Treasure: The environmental situation on the Galapagos Islands

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Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, San Cristobal

GALAPAGOS Day 11… A day of free fun on the beaches of San Cristobal: History, secluded coves and nesting birds

San Cristobal has a number of sea lion colonies littered around its pueblo (or township) that make for great nature watching. Their behaviour patterns change depending on the time of day and there is always a hulking great bull male to be found barking at great volume at the others. There are also some great spots to explore for free, to watch the other types of animals endemic to the islands and to learn about the colourful history of Galapagos. Continue reading GALAPAGOS Day 11… A day of free fun on the beaches of San Cristobal: History, secluded coves and nesting birds

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Bolivia, Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, San Cristobal

GALAPAGOS Day 10… Taxi Tours: organise a group and explore the Galapagos in a ute

A whimsical house in an ancient tree, a freshwater lake in the highlands where frigate birds come to bathe, being eye to eye with giant tortoises and watching birds from yet another beautiful Galapagos beach. These were the 4 places our driver took us after we piled into his pickup for $10usd each. On the Galapagos the taxis are all white pick up trucks (or … Continue reading GALAPAGOS Day 10… Taxi Tours: organise a group and explore the Galapagos in a ute

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Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, San Cristobal

GALAPAGOS Day 9… Kicker Rock: Scuba diving San Cristobal

Leon Dormido is the local name, which translates to sleeping lion because apparently the shape of the two rocks resembles a lions face. So God only knows why they call it Kicker Rock… but it is regarded as one of the best spots off San Cristobal Island to dive with the big creatures in the Galapagos, namely hammerheads, galapagos sharks, sometimes sunfish, and ones in a blue moon a whale shark might coast by. Continue reading GALAPAGOS Day 9… Kicker Rock: Scuba diving San Cristobal

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Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, San Cristobal

GALAPAGOS Day 8… Isla San Cristobal: My favourite Galapagos Island

The administrative seat of the archipelago, San Cristobal has the 2nd largest population at just over 7,000 and was the original capital of tourism. Its a great place to fly in and out of because the airport is very near the town so is only $1 in a cab instead of $18 (plus a ferry) from Baltra. It also has fresh water springs and the largest sea lion population. Throw in gorgeous sunsets and we have ourselves a winner of the Paige’s Choice Award. The only downside is the fly population does not lend itself to annoyance free beach yoga. Continue reading GALAPAGOS Day 8… Isla San Cristobal: My favourite Galapagos Island

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Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Isla Santa Cruz, Scuba Diving

GALAPAGOS Day 7… If I had a hammer: Diving with sharks off Gordon Rocks

Gordon Rocks is a rather famous dive site here in the Galapagos, North of Baltra Island near Santa Cruz. Its famous for being a great place to see the islands most notorious shark the Hammerhead, but also for its strong current. For this second reason most reputable companies won’t take any diver with fewer than 20 dives on their log, but after seeing we could handle ourselves during the Seymour dive, our legend of a dive master Oscar agreed to let us join them in the days adventure. Continue reading GALAPAGOS Day 7… If I had a hammer: Diving with sharks off Gordon Rocks

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Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Isla Santa Cruz, Scuba Diving

GALAPAGOS Day 6… When your life feels like a National Geographic spread: diving Seymour and Daphne

Diving in the Galapagos is a dream. Hammerheads, whalesharks, sea lions, turtles, and all kinds of crazy fish. During the later months the currents bring lots of nutrients to the area attracting the sharks and whales but making visibility a bit tricky. There are actually plenty of challenges to scuba diving here, the currents can be very strong, the water is bloody cold and there are so many dive shops to choose from you need to do your research from the start. But if you go with a good operator and you are lucky to get good conditions, the rewards are bountiful. Continue reading GALAPAGOS Day 6… When your life feels like a National Geographic spread: diving Seymour and Daphne

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Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Isla Isabela

GALAPAGOS Day 5… Free fun on Isabella: giant land tortoises, flamingos, iguanas, rays and sea lions aplenty! 

Isabela is the largest island in the archipelago but with only around 2000 permanent residence it has a very laid back, island vibe to it. The town itself is positioned along the coast so there is plenty of white sandy coastline to enjoy, there is also a very nice tortoise breeding centre along a nature walk where you can also see flamingos and marine iguanas. If you’re a history buff you can learn about the islands tragically mad penal colony by visiting the “Wall of Tears”. Or you if you’re like us and you love the sea lions you can just snorkel the day away at Concha Perla! Continue reading GALAPAGOS Day 5… Free fun on Isabella: giant land tortoises, flamingos, iguanas, rays and sea lions aplenty! 

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Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Isla Isabela

GALAPAGOS Day 3… Another day another island: Swimming with sea lions on Isabela

Deciding where to go, what to do, who to book with and to cruise or not to cruise were amongst our big decisions on the Galapagos Islands. We were still investigating and deciding on our itinerary, but had basically come to the conclusion that a cruise would be very expensive and mean we would be stuck with a group, so it wasn’t for us. We felt that when coupled with day excursions, there was enough to do on Santa Cruz, Isabela and San Cristobal to keep us entertained for 2 weeks easily. We also wanted to scuba dive but a liveaboard would be around $3K each for 10 days, which was a big chunk of cash for 2 pretty inexperienced divers to cough up! Continue reading GALAPAGOS Day 3… Another day another island: Swimming with sea lions on Isabela

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