Located 1,000 Km. off Ecuador's Pacific coast, this mysterious and fascinating archipelago is comprised of 13 large islands, six smaller ones and over 40 islets. Together they cover 7,500 sq. Km. Most are south of the Equator where several marine currents converge. Thus, all of the elements were in place to create this zoological, geological and botanical wonder.
The islands are found at the coordinates 1°40'N-1°36'S, 89°16'-92°01'W. Straddling the equator, islands in the chain are located in both the northern and southern hemisphere with Wolf volcano and Ecuador volcano on Isabela Island being directly on the equator line. Española the southernmost island and Tower the northernmost island are spread out over a distance of 132 miles (220 km).
The islands are found at the coordinates 1°40'N-1°36'S, 89°16'-92°01'W.
The largest island is Isabela, at 1771 sq. miles (4855 sq. km), while it makes up close to half the land area of the Galapagos, is still less than half the size of the island of Hawaii. Its largest volcano, Wolf volcano has maximum altitude of 5600 ft. (1707 m) making it the highest point in the archipelago.
The islands emerge from the Pacific some three to five million years ago as the result of underwater volcanic eruptions. It is the lava formations and volcanic rock that gibe the tourist an eerie "other world " feeling when seeing the islands.
Through the evolutionary process, climate, ocean currents and the comparative lack of predatory enemies including man the Galapagos became one of the strangest and most compelling places on our planet. Flora and fauna, arriving on different "routes" across the waters from the mainland, colonized the original Galapagos lava beds.
The organisms which survived evolved to constitute species unique to the world. All of the Galapagos reptiles, half of the birds, 32% of the plants and 25% of the fish, as well as many of the invertebrates, are found only in the archipelago.
The terrestrial and marine environments in Galapagos create a multiplicity of attractive and unique landscapes which have captivated generation of tourists and scientists. Giant tortoise, marine and land iguanas and lava lizards constitute the most spectacular reptile group found anywhere.
Birds are represented by more than 13 species of varying finches and also by flightless cormorants, small penguins, sparrow hawks, flamingos, albatrosses and boobies, among others, Mammals found there include beautiful and playful seals and dolphins.
It is for all of these reasons, and many others, that UNESCO declared the Galapagos Islands a Natural Heritage of Mankind site.
The Islands
SANTIAGO.- This name is equivalent to Saint James in English, it is also known as San Salvador,the name of the first island discovered by Columbus in the Caribbean Sea.
Area: 585 Km2
Maximum Altitude: 9OO meters above sea level.
Here we find animals such as marine iguanas, sea lions, two-fur sea lions, sparrow hawks, land and sea turtles, flamingos, dolphins and sharks, you will also find a great quantity of goats and pigs, animals which were brought to the islands and which have caused great harm to same.
BALTRA.- (S. Seymour). The origin of the name is unknown.
Area: 27 Km2
Maximum Altitude approximately 1OO meters above sea level.
We will find animals such as land iguanas, marine iguanas and marine turtles.
PINTA.- (Abingdon). It got its name from one of the caravels of Columbus
AREA: 59 Km2
Maximum Altitude: Approximately 635 m. a.s.l.
We will find animals such as split tail seagulls, marine iguanas, sparrow hawks, and two-fur sea lions.
FLOREANA.- (Charles. Santa Maria). It was named after Jose Flores, the first President of Ecuador, during whose administration the government of Ecuador took possession of the island. It is also called Santa Maria after one of the caravels of Columbus.
Area: 173 Km 2
Maximum Altitude 55O m. a.s.l.
Here we find flamingos, tropical birds, sea lions and, high up in the mountains, a bird in danger of extinction the "joint footed" petrel, a nocturnal sea bird which spends most of its life away from land.
WOLF.- (Wenman). It got its name from the German geologist Theodor Wolf.
Area: 1.3 Km2
Maximum elevation: 253 m a.s.l.
You will be seeing two-fur sea lions, frigates, masqued and red footed boobies , marine iguanas, sharks, whales, dolphins and split tailed sea gulls.
ISABELA.- (Albemarie). Name given in honor of Queen Isabela who sponsored the voyage of Columbus.
Total Area: 4.588 Km2
Area of South Isabela: 2.472 Km2
Area of North Isabela: 2.112 Km2
Maximum elevation: Approximately 1.689 m a.s.l.(Cerro Azul)
Maximum elevation: 1.7O7 Wolf Volcano.
Here we find animals such as sea lions and two- fur sea lions, marine turtles and the giant Galapagos, land and marine iguanas, non flying cormoranes, penguins, flamingos, sparrow hawks, split tail seagulls, dolphins, whales, sharks, blue and masqued boobies.
ROCA REDONDA.- Bears this name because it resembles the sail of an old vessel called "Redonda".
Area: Unknown
Maximum Altitude: 7O m above sea level.
The animals found here are whales, dolphins, sharks, sea lions, masqued boobies and tropical birds.
FERNANDINA.- (Narborough). The name was given in honor of King Fernando of Spain, who sponsored the voyage of Columbus.
Area: 642 Km2
Maximum Altitude: 1.494 m. a.s.l.
Here we find the following animals: sea lions, split tail sea gulls, tow- fur sea lions, sparrow hawks, marine iguanas, whales, penguins, cormorans that don't fly, sharks and land iguanas.
MARCHENA.- (Bindloe). It is named after Fra. Antonio Marchena
Area: 130 Km2
Maximum Altitude: 34O m. a.s.l.
We can see the following animals : sparraw hawks, sea lions.
BARTOLOME.- It is named after Lt.David Bartholomew of the British Navy which in Spanish is Bartolomé.
Area: 1.2 Km2
Maximum altitude: 114 m. a.s.l.
We have here a volcanic landscape, penguins, marine iguanas, marine turtles, sharks and sea lions.
PLAZA SUR.- It is named in honor of a former president of Ecuador, General Leonidas Plaza.
Area: O.13 Km2
Maximum altitude: 25 m. a.s.l.
Here there are: land iguanas, sea lions, tropical birds, split tail seagulls, and marine iguanas.
SEYMOUR NORTE.- Its name was given after an English nobleman called Lord Hugh Seymour.
Area: 1.9 Km2
Maximum altitude: approx. 30 m. a.s.l.
Inhabited by: Marine iguanas, sea lions, tropical birds, split tail seagulls.
GENOVESA.- (Tower). The name is derived from Genova, Italy where it is said Columbus was born.
Area: 14 Km 2
Maximum Altitude: approx. 3O m. a.s.l.
These islands are inhabited by red footed and masqued boobies, tropical birds, two-fur sea lions, marine iguanas, split tail seagulls, sharks and frigate birds.
SAN CRISTOBAL.- (Chatham). It proudly bears the name of the Patron Saint of seafarers, "St. Christopher" the other name of this island is: CHATHAM after the English nobleman Count Chatham.
Area: 528 Km2
Maximum Altitude: 730 m a.s.l
We tour the island following the marked paths and find: frigate birds, sea lions, giant turtles, blue and red footed boobies, tropical birds, marine iguanas, dolphins, split tail seagulls and a vegetation such as Calandrina Galapagos and Lecocarpus Darwinii, trees such as Lignum Vitae, "Matazarno", etc. Also the "Laguna del Junco".
RABIDA.- (Jervis). It bears the name of the convent of Rabida where Columbus left his son during his voyage to the Americas.
Area: 5 Km2
Maximum Altitude: 34O m. a.s.l.
This is the habitat of flamingos, sea lions, marine iguanas and sparrow hawks.
PINZON.- (Duncan). It is named after the Pinzon brothers, captains of the Pinta and Niña Caravels.
Area: 18 Km 2
Maximum Altitude: 435 m a.s.l.
Here you will find sea lions, sparrow hawks, giant turtles, marine iguanas and dolphins.
ESPAÑOLA.- (Hood). This name was given in honor of Spain. It is also known as Hood after an English nobleman.
Area: 60 Km2
Maximum Altitude: 22O m. a.s.l.
Here we find albatrossrs, sparrow hawks, marine turtles, masqued boobies, marine iguanas, sharks, sea lions, split tail seagulls, giant turtles, tropical birds and blue footed boobies and also the "Hueco Soplador"
DARWIN.- (Culpepper). This island is named after Charles Darwin.
Area: Approx. 1 km2
Maximum altitude: 168 m a.s.l.
We will see animals such as two-fur sea lions, frigates, marine iguanas, split tail sea gulls, sea lions, Whales, marine turtles, dolphins, red footed and masqued boobies.
DAPHNE.- The same name as the English vessel, the H.M.S. Daphne
Area: O.32 Km2
Maximum Altitude: 120 m a.s.l.
Tropical birds, blue footed and masqued boobies, sharks and frigates.
SANTA FE.- (Barrington). Named after a city in Spain.
Area- 986 Km2
Maximum Altitude: 255 m. a.s.l.
The animals here are: Sparrow hawks, land iguanas, sea lions, sharks and marine iguanas.
SANTA CRUZ.- Named after the Holy Cross, it is also known as Indefatigable, after the British vessel bearing this name (H.M.S. Indefatigable).
Area: 986 m2
Maximum Altitude: 87O m. a.s.l.
The Galapagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Scientific Station are on this island. Here we can see sea lions, marine iguanas, giant turtles, frigates, land iguanas, flamingos, dolphines, two-fur sea lions, marine turtles and sharks.
The following endemic vegetation is to be found here: papaya trees, tunas, cacao plants, cactus; and in native plants we can observer mangroves, "muyuyo", myrtle, "matazornos".
What to Bring?
Consider that the Cruises to Galapagos are cruices in search for nature, includes long walks, swiming, wet and dry landing on beaches and other physical activities. Knowing these facts, we advise you to bring confortable and fresh clothes, shorts, t-shirts, swim suits and good shoes to walk on lava rock roads.
During the raining season (from june to november) is common to have light rain known by locals like "garúa" and it will be necessary to have a rainproof coat and light jacket for the night. Have in mind that accesories and formal dressing is not necessary at night. We recommend casual and semiformal dressing at night.
To enjoy completly one of the most hot places in the planet, you should bring effective solar protection, a good hat, sunglasses, repellent, sunshine lipstick, plastic bags for electronic equipment. Do not forget your camera, lot of film and binoculars.
Keep in mind the Rules and Regulations of Galapagos National Park and enjoy your adventure on these wonderful islands.
In 2000, Ecuador adopted the U.S. dollar as the official currency. It is advisable to have plenty of small bills handy for purchases as most merchants can't change bills over $20. Travelers checks are accepted on most ships, but not all ships accept credit cards.
The standard voltage on all ships is 110V, the same as in North America. Some of the larger ships also have 220V.
