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Located over the equator, around 600 miles away from the South American coastline of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands can be the crown’s jewels of the wild world.

A trip to this enchanted Galapagos islands lives up to dreams of a sheltered destination separated from the usual worries of modern life. The atmosphere is are usually sunny, as well as ocean breezes create that ideal air temperatures that immediately de-stresses the body. The sea is an ever-attractive turquoise green, matched by long soft sand beaches of amazingly white, pink, black and green. You will discover crystal creeks and protected mangrove lagoons, as well as towering cliffs and caves.

When is a good time to go to the Galapagos?

There are two seasons: December to May is hot and wet and June to December is dry and cool. Annual rain fall in the lower regions is 2-4in (60-100mm) and the air temperatures varies around 69°-84°F/21°-29°C.

The Galapagos’s weather conditions are influenced by ocean currents. The quick climatic transformation due to El Niño is usually devastating: as much as 55% of sea lions and marine iguanas could die through this time.

The convergence of three significant oceanic flow provides an amazing blend of marine life to Galapagos. Despite being situated in the equator, the Islands’ micro-climate is curiously dry. During the cold period, the Humboldt Current provides moderately cold waters, that generates thermal inversions that obstruct rain fall.

At this time, a fine mist known as “garua” is formed as cold, moist air just above the waters meets a superior tier of air that is warmed by the warm sun.

‘El Niño’ is a phenomenon that occurs roughly every 5-7 years. The south east trade winds slacken and cause the ocean temperatures to rise considerably causing thunder storms and rainfall.

The Galapagos were discovered by chance in 1535 by Father Tomas Berlanga, Bishop of Panama.

Because of the long distances involved, the only sensible way to explore the Galapagos is by live-aboard boats, which travel between islands, largely at night, and create different stops each day. More than 80 vessels are licensed to operate in the archipelago and there are countless combinations of stops and routes. Most cruises go ashore twice a day: 10 full days on the ship typically means 20 coast landings, 10-20 snorkels, and several panga rides (pangas are small, open outboard-powered boats) to approximately 10 different islands.

Exploring on your own is considerably harder. Getting around separately is catchy and all traffic must be accompanied by a qualified naturalist guide at all landing sites. But four islands (Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Floreana and Isabela) have hotels of varying sizes and standards and a few boat operators offer day-trips.

Following in Darwin’s footsteps involves a flight from Quito or Guayaquil, on the mainland, to Baltra or San Cristobal. Some cruises leave from Baltra (the dock is a five-minute drive in the air terminal). Others go out of Puerto Ayora, the tourist hub on Santa Cruz and a comparatively busy city, with a bank, ATM machine, taxis, pubs and even a theater.

GalapagosInformation.com provides a variety of tailor-made live-aboard tours on a lot of different vessels carrying from 4 to 16 passengers.

Wildlife movements divergea lot, and every month has its own highlights. By way of example, green turtles start their egg-laying in January; penguins socialize with swimmers on Bartolome largely from May until the end of September; humpback whales start to arrive in June; July through to the end of September is the best period for many seabird activity; peak pupping for sea lions is around August, while their pups perform aqua-aerobics with snorkelers at November; and December is the month for hatching giant tortoise eggs. So, always there’s something happening.

The seas tend to be calmer and clearer at this time of year (using 60ft-80ft visibility typical) and the water temperature averages 79° F (26°C), therefore this period is ideal for snorkeling.

The cool, drier, windier year (with occasional drizzle or mist) is from June to November. Sea temperatures at the time of year fall to as much as 66F (19C) and visibility frequently goes down to 30ft-50ft, while sea swells may make some landings tricky.

Sierra Negra Volcano: Hiking enthusiasts are certain to adore the opportunity of this steep ascent to the rim of Sierra Negra Volcano. The hike up takes approximately two hours, with fantastic vistas all around. Horse riding provides a different perspective of the gorgeous location.

Moreno Point and Elizabeth Bay: Heading a bit further north, Moreno Point offers terrific dinghy trips, complete with terrific bird-spotting opportunities. Alternatively, you can enjoy panoramic hiking through the lava rocks and search for whale-tip sharks from the waters. Climb into a little dinghy to explore the little islets off the shore of Elizabeth Bay, watching unique mangrove woods, observing penguins along with blue-footed boobies on the rocky rocks, and getting near sea lions and various fish species with some snorkeling experiences.

Bolivar Channel: Lots of Isabela island cruises sail throughout the Bolivar Channel, a station that separates Isabela Island and the neighboring Fernandina Island. The coldest waters at the Galapagos region, it is normal to see dolphins and whales swimming near to your cruise boat.

Vicente Roca Point: At the north of Isabela Island, Vicente Roca Point is a top spot for boating and snorkeling. The twin coves shield a variety of odd species, such as sunfish, seahorses, and puffer fish. Bird lovers won’t be disappointed either, with terns, blue-footed boobies, and penguins, among others.

Galapagos wildlife experiences are plentiful on excursions of Isabela Island, and you’re sure to be thrilled if you decide on a Galapagos small boat cruise, a small luxury yacht, a dinghy trip, or something else completely.

Galapagos Animals

The Galapagos penguin is the only available in the northern hemisphere and to breed in the tropics.

A Galapagos tortoise can weigh up to 595lb (270kg) using a carapace length of 4ft (1.2m) and outlive most people.

The endemic Galapagos fur sea lions are the smallest among the world’s seven species of fur sea lions

The Galapagos Islands are home to the world’s biggest cormorant and the only one unable to fly.

Galapagos has among the planet’s rarest ecosystems where the herbivores at the peak of the food chain are reptiles.

Galapagos Swallow-tailed gulls are the sole gulls in the world to feed at night .

The Galapagos boasts the world’s biggest and just red-footed booby colony.

There are 23 species of reptile from the Galapagos and all but two of these are endemic to the archipelago.

The Galapagos is one of those very few areas of the planet where turtles continue to be a frequent sight.

At 30cm in length and using a massive set of jaws that are venomous, the endemic centipede (Scolopendra galapagoensis) is one of the Islands’ most feared animals.

A lichen poll in June 2010 from the Charles Darwin Foundation discovered more than 60 brand new species in the Galapagos with a estimated ten species new to science.

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