4 Best things to see & do in Galapagos Islands

A visit to the Galapagos is a life-changing experience. You’ll see wildlife that exists nowhere else on earth, from prehistoric-looking iguanas to Galapagos penguins, as well as sea lions, blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises and sharks.

What’s incredible is that because the animals have no predators, they have no fear of man. Marine life abounds in the clear, deep water and graceful sea turtles will glide right past you. Penguins may pop up as you’re snorkelling.

These extraordinary wildlife encounters take place against a backdrop of ancient volcanoes, jagged lava rocks, cacti and beaches ranging from powdery white to glittering olive. Visit by ship and you’ll see a real contrast of settings, as a week-long voyage typically stops at around 12 different spots.

Cruises depart from Baltra, Puerto Ayora or Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and follow set ‘loops’, each one taking in different anchorages and all including incredible wildlife encounters.

You’ll spend the whole week out in the wild, usually with just one day in port. Days are spent hiking, kayaking, exploring by skiff and snorkelling, led by highly qualified Ecuadorian guides.

Growing up to 6m and 450kg, the hammerhead is one of the ocean’s most impressive – and iconic – sharks.

Aggressive, solitary hunters by night, by the day the sharks school in groups up to several hundred strong – a spectacular sight. The Galapagos Islands is one of the last – and best – places on earth to witness it.

One hour from Puerto Ayora, Gordon Rocks is the best one-day dive in the Galapagos (for advanced divers only) and one of the best locations to see hammerheads. Also expect to see turtles, white tips, large morays, spotted eagle rays, golden rays, stingrays and the weird and wonderful oceanic sunfish (mola mola).

The islands are home to permanent populations of bottlenose and common dolphins; others like Risso’s and spinner, migrate here in huge number from June to October.

The best place to specifically swim with them is the Darwin and Wolf islands, accessed by week-long, live-aboard dive trips.

Otherwise, you’ll usually spot (and maybe swim with) them while cruising around the Isabela and Fernandina Islands.

Wolf and Darwin, the northernmost islands in the Galapagos, are recognised as world-class scuba diving sites.

But from June to November, the weather and water temperatures cool, giving rise to large upwelling currents of nutrient-rich water. Vast plankton blooms result, attracting hordes of fish, including enigmatic whale sharks. Divers only.