Galapagos Island

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GENERAL INFORMATION
About The Galapagos Islands

Charles Darwin visited the islands in 1845, during his trip, he discovered a very special theory that greatly impacted, this is the THEORY OF EVOLUTION.

The Galapagos Islands are located 1000 kilometers from the Ecuadorian Mainland, in the Pacific Ocean, it is lava volcanic formation with a variety of flora and fauna, endemic penguins and much more!

We welcome you here to discover the Magnificent ENCHANTED ISLANDS!

Galapagos Islands Geology

The GALAPAGOS ISLANDS are located over 1000 km from the Mainland.

The original name of the Islands is ARCHIPELAGO OF COLON.

The region is dynamic because of the constant changing with volcanic eruptions, new lava fields forming and islands eroding and expanding.

The GALAPAGOS ISLANDS are formed by 61 islands and islets with 13 main islands, this are: Baltra, Española, Fernandina, Floreana, Genovesa, Isabela, Marchena, Pinta, Pinzon, San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe and Santiago, only 4 islands are habituated (Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela and Floreana)

Galapagos Map

Important Information (Monthly in the Galapagos Islands)

JANUARY

* Beginning of the rainy season
* Land birds start nesting, generally after the first rain
* On Hood (Española) Island adult marine iguanas become brightly colored
* The green sea turtles arrive to beaches in Galapagos for egg laying period
* Land iguanas begin reproductive cycles on Isabela Island
* Both, water and air temperatures rise and stay warm until June
* Ideal time for snorkeling

FEBRUARY

* On Floreana Island greater flamingos start nesting
* Bahama pintail ducks start their breeding season
* Nazca boobies on Española are at the end of their nesting season
* Marine iguanas nest on Santa Cruz Island
* The highest water temperature reaches 25 degrees. This temperature remains constant until April
* Very few penguins are sighted at Bartolome Island
* Nesting season of the Galapagos dove reaches its peak

MARCH

* Sporadic tropical rains, intense sun and hot climate. Air temperature can reach up to 30 degress. Humidity is high
* Marine Iguanas nest on Fernandina
* March 21st, the beginning of the summer equinox signals the arrival of the waved albatross to Española
* Even the western islands have warm waters where snorkeling is excellent. Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela) can be an amazing site. Penguins still active in the water, next to tropical fish

APRIL

* Massive arrival of waved albatrosses to Española. Amazing courtship starts.
* End of hatching season of the giant tortoises.
* Eggs of green sea turtles begin to hatch
* Eggs of land iguanas hatch on Isabela
* While the rains have ended, the island quite continue green.
* Good visibility in the water for snorkelers, erhaps, together with May, the best months in Galapagos (weather, animals, water temperature)

MAY

* North Seymour´s blue footed boobies begin their courtship
* Sea turtles are still hatching on Gardner Bay, Punta Cormorant and Puerto Egas
* Most of marine iguanas´eggs hatch from nests on Santa Cruz
* Palo Santo trees begin to shed their foliage
* Waved albatross on Española start laying their eggs
* Ban-rumped storm petrels begin their first nesting period

JUNE

* Beginning of the garua season
* Giant tortoises on Santa Cruz Island migrate from the highlands to the lowlands in search of suitable nesting places
* Beginning of the nesting season of giant tortoises
* South east trade winds return. Currents become a bit stronger. Seas pick up in surge and wave action
* Many red pouches by males of Magnificient frigatebirds on North Seymour

JULY

* Sea bird communities are very active (breeding), especially the blue footed boobies on Española.
* Flightless cormorants perform beautiful courtship rituals and nesting activities on Fernandina.
* If you walk along the shores of Puerto Egas you could find American oystercatchers nesting.
* Lava lizards initiate mating rituals until November
* Cetaceans are more likely to be observed, especially off the western coats of Isabela
* Great month to see the four stages of nesting in blue footed boobies, eggs, chicks juveniles and sub adults Water temperature does not reach more than 21 degrees

AUGUST

* Galapagos hawks court on Española and Santiago Island
* Nazca boobies and swallow-tailed gulls nest on Genovesa Island
* The temperature of the ocean drops to 18 degrees, which obiously varies according to the geographic zones among the islands
* Migrant shore birds start to arrive and stay on the islands until March
* Giant tortoises return to the highlands of Santa Cruz
* Oceans are quite choppy, currents at the strongest levels, surge can be expected along the shores that face west or south.
* Pup season of the sea lions has started. Western and central islands are common places for such sightings

SEPTEMBER

* Peak of the cold season
* The air temperature reaches its lowest levels
* Galapagos penguins show remarkable activity on Bartolome. Since May swimmers and snorkelers can be delighted at Bartolome and Isabela with penguins
* Sea lions are very active. Females have reached estruss stage, and so harem-gathering males are constantly barking and fighting
* Most species of sea birds remain quite active at their nesting sites

OCTOBER

* Lava herons start nesting until March
* The Galapagos Fur sea lions begin their mating period
* Blue footed boobies raise chicks all over Española and Punta Vicente Roca
* Giant Tortoises are still laying eggs
* Days are not always sunny. Garua can be expected in most locations, except the western islands where most days have a misty start but after few hours of daylight it burns off.

NOVENBER

* Pup of sea lions continue
* Sea lions are sexually active on the eastern part of the Archipelago
* Breeding season for the brown noddies
* Some species of jellyfish can be seen around the islands
* Band rumped storm petrels begin their second nesting period

DECEMBER

* Hatching of giant tortoise’s eggs begins and lasts until April
* Green sea turtles display their mating behavior
* The rainy season begins, all of the plants of the dry zone produce leaves. Galapagos becomes green
* Western islands remain very dry. Water temperature still cool for long snorkeling periods

Galapagos Weather

GALAPAGOS DRY SEASON

The dry season in Galapagos means “blue skies and little rains” this is the perfect time for tourists to obser a large number of species around the islands and in the sea, we can obser giant tortoises, humpback whales, blue footed boobies, cormorants, oyster catchers, lava lizards, amazing Galapagos hawk, masked boobies, penguins and much more! Also this is the perfect time for Divers due to the water temperature.
The Galapagos Dry Season is from June until December.

GALAPAGOS WET SEASON

The wet season in Galapagos means “Tropical climate, daily rain and clouds” this is perfect to do snorkeling, swimming and diving in the warmer temperature of the ocean.
During this amazing season, tourists will be able to observe different species around the islands like marine iguanas, sea turtle, land iguanas, flamingos, masked boobies, albatross.
The Galapagos Wet Season is from December until May.

WATER TEMPERATURES IN THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

The water temperature varies during the year.
WATER TEMPERATURES IN THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
from 70°F (21°C) to 80°F (27°C)
JULY TO NOVEMBER
from 65°F (18°C) to 75°F (23°C)

What To Pack To Travel To The Galapagos Islands!

* Sunscreen
* Sneakers
* Flip Flops
* Comfy clothes like shorts, shirts, dresses, t-shirts
* Camera
* Binoculars
* Money (In Galapagos Islands we use American Dollars)
* Medication
* And fun!

¿How To Get To The Galapagos Islands?

FLY TO GALAPAGOS ISLANDS:

Fly from Quito, or Guayaquil, to Baltra (GPS) or San Cristobal (SCY) Island. There are a few different domestic airlines to choose from such as Avianca, Latam or Equair. The prices vary from USD 300 to USD 600, depending season and availability.

Galapagos Entry Fees And Documents Needed

In Quito or Guayaquil you need to get the INGALA TRANSIT CONTROL CARD; this is a registration of each visitor, as tourists, residents, foreign and Ecuadorians, this is a control of how many people enter to the Islands daily, monthly and yearly.

* The price is USD 20 per person and this document you need to keep it with you until the end of your Holidays in the Galapagos islands.
* Once you arrive in Baltra or San Cristobal you need to pay the GALAPAGOS ENTRANCE FEE this is USD 100 for foreign and USD 6,00 for Ecuadorians.
* The founds for the GALAPAGOS ENTRANCE FEE will go to the following instances:

* 10% INGALA (MIGRACIÓN DE GALÁPAGOS)
* 5% ECUADORIAN NAVY
* 10% CONSEJO PROVINCIAL DE GALAPAGOS
* 25% GALAPAGOS MUNICIPALITIES
* 5% GALAPAGOS MARINE RESERVE
* 5% INSPECTION AND QUARANTINE SERVICES
* 40% GALAPAGOS NATIONAL PARK

* You can find more information at: www.galapagos.gob.ec
* Please remember to bring your passport with you.