Galapagos tours: the best alternatives

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Go to Galapagos Islands in Ecuador is actually an undeniable paradise, some of the most impressive creatures around the world can be found in the Galapagos Islands. A trip to the Galapagos would be the voyage of their existence for almost all guests. The wild animals in Galapagos you will see cannot be found someplace else, but in this place sea and land creatures and wild birds are more approachable.

You’ll find Boobies, giant tortoises, iguanas and many others, will probably be observed truly close on your activities. If you like scuba diving or diving, sea lions will be having fun with people and beneath them, turtles and tame sharks might be encounter.

When is a good time to see the Galapagos?

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

The islands’ climate is determined by ocean currents. The unexpected weather transformation caused by El Niño can be harmful: as much as 45% of sea lions and marine iguanas can die through this period.

The convergence of 3 significant oceanic flow produces an amazing mix of sea life to Galapagos. Regardless of being located in the tropics, the Islands’ micro-climate is curiously dry. During the cold period, the Humboldt Current delivers moderately cold water, which produces thermal inversions that obstruct rainfall.

At this time, a fine mist called “garua” is created as cold, wet air just over the waters meets a superior level of air which is warmed by the hot sun.

‘El Niño’ is a a rare event that occurs approximately every 5-7 years. The south east trade winds slacken and cause the marine temperatures to increase dramatically causing thunder storms and rainfall.

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

Due to the long distances involved, the only sensible approach to explore the Galapagos is by live-aboard boats, which traveling between islands, largely at night, and also create various stops each day. Over 80 vessels are licensed to operate from the archipelago and there are countless combinations of stops and routes. Most cruises go ashore twice a day: 10 total days on the boat typically means 20 coast landings, 10-20 snorkels, and many panga rides (pangas are small, open outboard-powered boats) to approximately 10 different islands.

Exploring on your own is considerably harder. Getting around independently is tricky and all visitors should be accompanied by a qualified naturalist guide at all landing websites. However four islands (Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Floreana and Isabela) do have hotels of varying dimensions and criteria and a couple of vessel operators offer day-trips.

Some cruises leave from Baltra (the pier is a five-minute drive from the air terminal). Others move from Puerto Ayora, the tourist hub on Santa Cruz and a relatively busy town, with a bank, ATM machine, taxis, pubs and even a cinema.

GalapagosInformation.com provides an assortment of tailor-made live-aboard tours on many different boats carrying from 4 to 16 passengers.

Wildlife movements diverge greatly, and each month has its own highlights. By way of example, green turtles start their own egg-laying in January; penguins socialize with swimmers on Bartolome mainly from May until the end of September; humpback whales begin to arrive in June; July through the end of September is the ideal period for many seabird action; peak pupping for sea lions is approximately August, while their pups play aqua-aerobics with snorkelers at November; and December is the month for hatching giant tortoise eggs. So, always there’s something going on.

The seas are usually calmer and clearer now of year (using 60ft-80ft visibility average) and the water temperature averages 79° F (26°C), therefore this period is best for snorkeling.

The trendy, drier, windier season (with occasional drizzle or mist) is from June to November. Sea temperatures at this time of year drop to as low as 66F (19C) and visibility often goes to 30ft-50ft, whilst sea swells can make some landings catchy.

Sierra Negra Volcano: Hiking enthusiasts are certain to love the opportunity of the steep ascent to the rim of Sierra Negra Volcano. The increase up takes around two hours with great vistas all around. Horse riding provides another perspective of the beautiful area.

Bolivar Channel: Lots of Isabela island cruises sail through the Bolivar Channel, a station that divides Isabela Island as well as the neighboring Fernandina Island. The coldest waters in the Galapagos area, it is normal to see dolphins and whales swimming close to your cruise ship.

Vicente Roca Point: At the north of Isabela Island, Vicente Roca Point is a top spot for snorkeling and boating. The twin coves shelter an array of unusual species, such as sunfish, seahorses, and puffer fish.

Galapagos wildlife encounters are plentiful on excursions of Isabela Island, and you’re guaranteed to be thrilled whether you decide on a Galapagos small ship cruise, a little luxury yacht, a dinghy excursion, or something different completely.

Galapagos Islands Birds

Bird life in the Galapagos is a lot more abundant and varied simply due to the fact that it was much easier for birds to reach the islands than mammals or reptiles. To get a reptile or mammal to achieve Galapagos, it had to endure for weeks or even months traveling by sea, clinging to a floating shrub or bulk of plant. Once it arrived, it had to beat the odds and find food and an ecological niche where it could survive. Birds, however, could fly to and from Galapagos with ease. Even smaller species like finches could be arrived to Galapagos by powerful storms. Today, it’s normally these smaller Galapagos species which have mutated to eventually become endemic. Like many animals, birds’ seasonal lives, they copulate, migrate and nest at certain time of year. Here is your guide to make sure you can see your beloved Galapagos animal species on the next trip!

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