The Galapagos Islands: A travel guide

A wildlife paradise, the Galapagos Islands are home to a huge number of species, including many that are endemic (native) to the region. Read on to discover some of the most well-known and notable species that you may be lucky enough to see on a visit, some harder to spot than others: 

The Galapagos is a year-round destination where you’ll see different things at each point of the year, so there's not really a bad time to go! A popular time to visit is between December and May, during the warm season when waters are calmer and clearer, however there are benefits to visiting during the dry season when marine and bird life is very active, including the annual humpback migration through the archipelago.

Discover our map to find out more about the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands depending on the wildlife species you'd like to see. 

The wonderful thing about the Galapagos is that no matter which islands you visit, you're guaranteed to see incredible wildlife and scenery. 

If you are a general wildlife enthusiast, you really can't go wrong! You'll get to see both marine and land-based wildlife wherever you go, with a wide variety of both land and sea excursions. 

If you're particularly interested in birds, certain islands are nesting sites that offer great bird-watching. Western (Isabela and Fernandina), Southern (Española) or Northern (Genovesa) islands are ideal for maximum bird-spotting opportunities. North Seymour (Central) is the best island to see blue-footed boobies mating and nesting. If you're aiming to see the Waved Albatross, you must visit Española as they only nest here.

But our tours do not only differ by islands visited, you also have a choice between land or boat-based tours and the level of accommodation you stay in - read on for more information about this.

There are two different ways to travel the Galapagos - either by travelling around and staying on a boat (boat-based tours), or by staying in hotels on the bigger islands (land-based tours). 

Of course, by spending so much time on a boat there is a risk of sea sickness. If you are prone to this, don't forget to pack some sea sickness medication and focus on the horizon if you start to feel sick. We'd recommend visiting during the wet season (December to May) when waters are calmer. 

We have a range of boat-based Galapagos tours on offer, differing by islands visited, tour length and also by accommodation level. You can choose between three different boats:

Most of our boat-based tours are 9 or 10 days in length, with the exception of the Galapagos Express tours on Archipel I which are 7 days. 

During a visit to the Galapagos Islands there is a huge array of activities on offer, including: 

• Wildlife-watching - an obvious one! There is literally wildlife everywhere, making it a haven for wildlife-lovers. Must-do activities include a visit the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz to learn about the history of the islands and in particular find out about the giant tortoise. And if you're interested in seeing the giant tortoise, a visit to the highlands of Santa Cruz to see them in the wild is a must.
• Snorkelling - Don a mask and flippers (included on our tours) and sink yourself into the bustling underwater world around the Galapagos islands. You won't be short of things to see as you swim alongside turtles, sea lions and marine iguana. No snorkelling excursion will be the same as the last, so you'll want to keep going again and again! 
• Kayaking - Another option on our boat-based tours is kayaking, with all equipment included. It's a great way to witness the marine life of the area, including sea birds,  Galapagos penguins and perhaps even whales, if you're really lucky!
• Scuba diving - The Galapagos is thought to be one of the best scuba diving destinations in the world, with waters teeming with life such as hammerhead sharks, dolphins and rays. Scuba diving is not included in any of our tours, but if you are qualified you may be able to arrange for a scuba diving excursion during your free time on a land-based tour or before or after your Explore tour.
• Climb a volcano - There's no better view of these beautiful islands than from the top of one of the many volcanoes. Don't miss out on an exhilarating hike up to the caldera. The largest island Isabela is made up of six volcanoes, and you can walk up Alcedo or Sierra Negra volcanoes here. 

• A brimmed hat
• High factor suncream (water-resistant)
• Sunglasses
• Clothing - opt for neutral colours rather than bright colours or patterns. Avoid white (as it won't stay white for long!) or black as this will get too hot. Lightweight, long-sleeved tops are best for protecting yourself from the sun. Also bring a lightweight fleece as temperatures can be lower in some areas, particularly up at higher altitudes, and in the evenings. 
• Lightweight waterproof jacket or poncho
• Motion sickness tablets - particularly if you're taking a boat-based tour 
• Swimwear - including shoes or sandals you can wear in the water. Consider a long-sleeve rash vest to keep you protected from the sun
• Comfortable walking shoes 
• Sandals for wearing on board boats
• A small rucksack that is comfortable to wear, for taking things needed for day excursions
• A reusable water bottle
• A camera (or smart phone) - if you opt for a digital SLR camera, you'll want a good telephoto zoom lens for the wildlife. But also consider a wider-angle lens for landscape photography too.
• A waterproof underwater camera (optional) - consider getting a waterproof camera for capturing marine life like turtles while you snorkel. Or you may be able to get a waterproof case (with a lanyard to attach it to yourself) for your mobile phone so you can use it underwater. 
• Dry bag - to keep valuables like photographic gear and mobile phones dry during trips out on the water
• Camera memory cards - make sure you've got loads of storage space as you'll likely take a lot of photos!
• Camera batteries and chargers
• Cash - in US dollars. For food and drink (outside of the included meals), souvenirs and a (optional) tip for your guide and crew members. You'll also need $100 in cash for your Galapagos entry fee, which is paid at the airport upon arrival.
• Binoculars (optional, if you're keen to see the wildlife up close)

It's not difficult to get amazing wildlife photos in the Galapagos, no matter what camera you have, because there are incredible animals wherever you look! Here are a few simple tips to capture the best shots during your visit: 

• Get down low - a photograph looks much better when taken at the same level as the subject, rather than above it. Getting to eye level allows you to capture more of the face and character of the animal. And try different angles, where space and safe distance allows, as each photo will have a different background or level of light that may work better.
• Get close to the subject, where possible - use your feet first to get closer (rather than relying solely on your camera zoom) but do remember you need to keep a distance of at least two metres between yourself and the wildlife, which includes your camera lens. 
• Shoot at a fast shutter speed, to capture action shots - most of the time the wildlife will be moving so a fast shutter will reduce blur and increase focus. If your camera has sports mode, try this, or if you're familiar with shutter speed you could adjust this manually. 
• Make sure your flash is turned off - you won't need it anyway, but also it's also forbidden by the authorities to protect the wildlife.
• Take lots of photos - sometimes it's not enough just to take one photo of a subject, as it may end up out of focus or not the best angle. Increase your chances of getting the very best shot (and the best pose from the wildlife!) by taking lots of photos at once. Consider shooting in bursts if your camera allows. 
• Be patient - if your schedule allows, spend some time in one spot and wait for that moment for the perfect shot. If you're still, wildlife may come closer to you meaning you can get a better shot, or they may start doing something that creates the perfect pose for your photo! 
• Don't forget video as well as photos, to help you best remember your trip. 
• Zoom out too, to capture the landscape around you as well as the wildlife. With huge volcano calderas, white sand beaches and lush highlands, there's plenty of opportunities for landscape photography too.
• Most importantly, don't forget to put the camera down! Make sure you also just watch the incredible wildlife and scenery with your own eyes and create those long-lasting memories.