Fun Facts about the Galapagos Islands

THE LIST IS ENDLESS BUT CHECK OUT OUR 10 FAVORITE FACTS

  • #1

    The Galapagos Islands is the first World Heritage Site, starting the list in 1978. World Heritage Sites are places of historical, scientific, cultural, or natural value.

  • #2

    The 5 weeks that Charles Darwin spent on the islands in 1835 left a lasting impression. Darwin observed that the beaks of the finches (now aptly named "Darwin’s Finches") varied from island to island a result of local conditions and food sources, which greatly helped him formulate his theory of evolution by natural selection.

  • #3

    In the year 1832, the Galapagos officially became part of Ecuador as General Jose de Villamil, who later became the first governor of the islands, persuaded the Ecuadorian government to annex the archipelago. His settlement was considered a failure 20 years later.

  • #4

    The islands were used by the Ecuadorian government as Penal Colonies. The Wall of Tears was built on the island of Isabela by the 3rd, and last Penal Colony on the islands. It runs 65 by 300 feet long. The wall was built solely for the purpose of punishing the prisoners on the island and serves no purpose in its utility.

  • #5

    In 1570, the islands were given their official name by Abraham Oretlius, a Flemish cartographer, who referred to them "insulae de lo Galopegos" or "Island of the Tortoise".

  • #6

    97% of the islands land mass are considered a national park, the waters surrounding it a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The remaining 3 percent hold the archipelagos population of 25,000.

  • #7

    The islands are home to 3 varieties of colorful boobies, the Red Footed Booby, Blue Footed Booby, & Nazca booby. These birds belong to the Sulidae bird family and are known for the distinctly colored webbed feet; red, blue, & olive.

  • #8

    The Galapagos Islands are the only place in the northern hemisphere where you can see penguins in their natural habitat.

  • #9

    Known for their unique shape & size, the Galapagos Tortoise keep growing until 40-50 and can live for over a century. The oldest recorded tortoise living on the islands was 152 years old.

  • #10

    The Galapagos islands offer some of the most dazzling views of the stars on the planet due to the lack of light pollution. Their unique position on the equator gives users the rare opportunity to view constellations on the north and south hemispheres at the same time.

About the Galapagos Islands:

  • Isabela is the largest island in the Galapagos archipelago and due to its remote position in the Pacific Ocean, Isabela is renowned for its marine life. Diving and snorkeling is particularly popular in Isabela with a vibrant underwater world and incredible dive sites to discover. The bay of Concha de Perla is a beautiful spot with clear waters perfect for encountering marine life. Here, you may get the opportunity to swim with turtles and sea lions in addition to discovering an abundance of colorful fish. Meanwhile, a trip to Las Tintoreras provides excellent opportunities to observe marine iguanas, penguins and white-tipped reef sharks. Flamingo Lake is also a popular location to visit in Isabela, home to the largest and most vibrant concentration of flamingos in the Galapagos.

  • The oldest and most remote of the Galapagos Islands is Española estimated to be at least 4 million years old. The island is unpopulated and untouched making Española a great destination in the archipelago for wildlife. One of the incredible wildlife attractions of Española is the Galapagos native waved albatross, in addition to two exquisite species native to the island, the Española lava lizard and the Española mockingbird. Hiking on Española is also spectacular with a wealth of cliffs and viewpoints. A particular highlight is Suarez Point, an incredible spot for bird watching and also witnessing the blowhole that shoots water up to 75 feet into the air.

  • San Cristobal island is without a doubt, the best island in the Galapagos for wildlife spotting. Here you can frequently witness the Galapagos giant tortoise and Galapagos sea lions as well as many bird species including Frigates, the red booby and the blue-footed booby. Off shore, the seas around San Cristobal are the best for dolphin spotting whilst hammerhead sharks can be encountered during a diving experience at Kicker Rock, the best dive site in the Galapagos.

    San Cristobal is the quietest of the inhabited islands creating a tranquil environment for a relaxing escape. Whilst there is plenty of adventure and entertainment to be found, the island is best enjoyed at a slow pace, taking in the scenery and admiring the fascinating wildlife. If you are looking for activity, The San Cristobal Interpretation Center is a great place to head to discover the history and culture of the Galapagos Islands.

  • Famous for breathtaking beaches, the island of Santa Cruz is the main tourist hub in the Galapagos. Whilst there are many stunning beaches on the island, the star attraction is undoubtedly Tortuga Bay. This beach is one of the most beautiful in the Galapagos with fine white sands, turquoise waters and a wealth of wildlife including marine iguanas, Sally Lightfoot crabs and the abundance of turtles who come to lay their eggs on the beach. Not far from Tortuga Bay, the largest town in the Galapagos, Puerto Ayora, is built up of picturesque streets bursting with delicious restaurants, spectacular shopping and interesting art galleries.

    Santa Cruz is one of the best islands to discover the native wildlife of the region. The island is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station, an incredible wildlife research and education facility whilst El Chato Nature Reserve is a great place to discover the Galapagos giant turtles roaming freely within their natural habitat. However, one of the highlights in Santa Cruz is exploring the lava tunnels, a unique underground labyrinth formed by cooled molten lava. The central location and cultural hub of Santa Cruz means the island is typically a starting point for tours of the Galapagos Islands.

When to visit the Galapagos Islands?

The Galapagos Islands boasts an incredible climate with beautiful weather year-round. The island typically experiences two major seasons, a cool and dry season from June to November and a warm and wet season from December to May. The time period between December and May is typically the most popular for tourism. This season experiences short bursts of rainfall but is generally warmer than the rest of the year. With few migratory species inhabiting the region, the phenomenal wildlife of the Galapagos Islands can be seen any time of year.