"Where" in the world can you find Antarctic fur seals living right on the Equator? Birds that swim but no longer fly? Sunflowers growing up to treetop heights? "Where" is the Galapagos Islands, 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador.
Isolation helps to account for the magic of Galapagos and for its continued existence as a natural museum of flora and fauna found nowhere else on earth. Covering an area of about 3,000 sq miles, these scores of islets and 13 major islands are officially part of the Ecuadorian National Park system.
And here, man -- moving carefully and thoughtfully -- can wander as an object of curiosity rather than fear, for the wildlife is fearless, although far from tame. You will be enchanted by the sea lions playing like kittens between water and land ... bewitched by the sinister tangles of marine iguanas climbing to the cliffs while their large, land-bound cousins bask in the sun ... entertained by the ritual mating dances of the blue-footed boobie and the Galapagos albatross.
Quite simply: A Galapagos Cruise presents one of the greatest natural shows on earth -- an out-of-this-world travel adventure.
The Islands
Baltra: Welcome to the islands. If you are flying in, this is one of the places you'll land.
Santa Fe (Barrington): While sea lions enjoy themselves, a special species of
land iguana and lava lizards keep silent company. The noble Palo Santo and dramatic stands
of opuntia cactus (largest of their type in the islands) also attract attention. Santa Fe
was not formed through volcanic eruption but an uplift of the sea floor as a result of
tectonic activity. It has one of the most beautiful coves in the Galapagos, a turquoise
lagoon protected by a peninsula that extends from the shore.
Bartolome: Jutting out of Sullivan Bay, Pinnacle Rock watches as you pass. An old crater makes interesting hiking, and there is a lovely beach for swimming. Wildlife include Galapagos penguins and nestling sea turtles (in season).
Fernandina (Narborough): Youngest and westernmost island in the Galapagos, its Punta Espinosa has some of the most unique species in the archipelago: penguins, Sally Lightfoot crabs, more marine iguanas than anywhere else, and Flightless Cormorants can be found here in abundance.
Floreana (Charles): Here is Post Office Bay, where 18th century whalers opened an unofficial post office in a barrel. It has been in service ever since, and the cost of postage has not gone up a single cent. Here, also, is where the flamingoes nest on towers of mud but not before showing off their exquisite pink color circling the lagoon and landing. Nearby is Devil's Crown, an eroded volcanic crater and a perfect place for snorkelers to see the underwater world of schools of brightly colored fish and other marine life.
Hood (Espa–ola): Nearly all of the species found on this island are visible at Punta Suarez. Tame mocking birds, sea lions, Galapagos Doves, Red-billed Tropic Birds, uncommon red and green-trimmed marine iguanas, blue-footed and masked boobies, and the only nesting site of the Waved Albatross.
Isabela (Albermarle): Largest island in the group, composed of six shield volcanoes that have merged into a single land mass. Wolf Volcano, highest point in the islands, is found here. Navigate Bolivar Channel (where whales and dolphins are often spotted) on the way to Tagus Cove, a natural protected harbor where, centuries ago, pirates and whalers safely spent the night and left their ships' signatures painted on the rocks. Inland on this large island are 5 huge volcanoes, mountains, and Darwin's salt lake crater. Wildlife include Galapagos Penguins, Flightless Cormorants, pelicans, and more. Urvina Bay was elevated from sea level in the 1950's during the eruption of Alcedo Volcano, giving you a rare chance to walk on what was recently sea floor. Elizabeth Bay, on the farthest points that any Galapagos cruise will visit, is a quiet, sheltered cove with penguins, Flightless Cormorants, Blue-Footed Boobies, sea turtles, rays, and sharks.
James (Santiago): On the western side, in Puerto Egas (James Bay), a colony of fur seals is at home on the black lava rocks., thanks to the cool Humboldt Current. At Flamingo Lake you can see a flock of feeding flamingos. Sullivan Bay on the other side of the island has a recent (100 years old) Pahoehoe lava flow.
North Seymour: Life proliferates everywhere you look. Young and old sea lions waddle along the shore. The Magnificent Frigatebirds display red pouches and mate. Colonies of blue-footed boobies and swallow-tail gulls also occupy the island.
Plazas Sur: A tiny, tiny island packed to its steep-cliff shoreline with fascinating life. Sea lions, land iguanas, tropical birds against a background of Opuntia Cactus and Sesuvium, a succulent that forms a reddish carpet on top of the rocks. The southern part of the island is a perfect habitat for Swallow-Tailed Gulls, Yellow-Tailed Mullets, Audubon Shearwaters, Red-Billed Tropicbirds, and Brown Pelicans.
San Cristobal (Chatham): This is the other entry point for Galapagos. The residents of Puerto Baquerizo, oldest settlement in the islands, seem to resist change as much as the wildlife. Mostly fishermen, they have led the same rugged existence for decades. Visit the newly-opened Interpretation Center and Frigatebird Hill. El Junco Lagoon is one of the few permanent fresh-water lakes in the islands.
Santa Cruz (Indefatigable): Home of the Darwin Research Station, internationally staffed with scientists doing biological research and conservation projects. Tortoises are at home here at the Station and at a protected highlands reserve.
Tower (Genovesa): Galapagos' most dramatic complete bird island. Frigate birds, boobies, noddy terns, lava gulls, doves, and thousands of storm petrels.
