Galapagos Adventures
Why choose a Galápagos vacation…
Would you like a little face-to-face time with penguins, blue-footed boobies, lava lizards or marine iguanas (although maybe not too close with these guys)?
What about a chance to swim with playful sea lions - who have been known to peer curiously into snorkelers’ masks?
Need a classic pink flamingo picture for the Annual Holiday card?
For close to 40 years, O.A.R.S. has guided people of all ages and abilities to fascinating locations worldwide. We know how to find exotic and abundant wildlife and scenic locations - without the crowds. Whether you prefer to swim with sea turtles or study the 13 species of endemic Darwin Finches, the Galápagos Islands are a must-see for natural history and wildlife enthusiasts. Due to the lack of any natural predators, animals meander freely and fearlessly around the islands, giving you endless photographic opportunities, as well as time to gaze into the eyes of some pretty bizarre wildlife.
The Galápagos’ more than 100 volcanic islands and islets visible today, formed between 3 and 5 million years ago, are located 600 miles from the coast of Ecuador and lie on the equator. These islands are spread over roughly 50,000 square kilometers of Pacific Ocean. They were, of course, the inspiration for Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. There are 13 major islands in the Galápagos, 5 of which are inhabited, including Santa Cruz, Baltra, San Cristobal, Isabela and Santa Maria (aka Floreana). The other islands are uninhabited, but are visited by tourists.
When is the best time to visit the Galápagos Islands?
In spite of the islands' equatorial location, temperatures in the Galápagos tend to be surprisingly mild all year round. There are always intriguing goings-on in the Galápagos no matter the time of year. Simply stated, there is no off-season.
From approximately June through November the weather is relatively cool and dry with sunny or overcast days or an occasional light rain. August is traditionally the coolest month with temperatures ranging from 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the time period in which many of the animals that rely on the sea for their food will be breeding, including marine iguanas, fur sea lions and sea/shore birds.
January through April is considered the warm season with higher temperatures and intermittent heavy rains. March is usually the warmest month, with temperatures ranging from 74-88 degrees Fahrenheit. The flora is in bloom, creating a colorful landscape and birds and reptiles start to breed. The sea is warmer and calmer during this time period.
What types of wildlife, including reptiles, are found on the Galápagos Islands?
All plants and animals that live in the Galápagos Islands today are descendants of those that arrived from elsewhere. Native mammals are rare in the Galápagos, and include only those that could make the journey from Central or South America.
There are 23 species of land reptiles that live in the Galápagos Islands: 3 species of iguana, 7 lava lizards, 9 geckos, 3 snakes and 1 species of giant tortoise with 14 described subspecies of which 11 still exist, some with only small populations. Marine iguanas are the only sea-going lizards in the world, living on land but who graze on seaweed on coastal rocks or in the sea.
Native mammals include the Galápagos red bat, rice rats and the Galápagos sea lion.
What kind of marine life is found around the Galápagos Islands?
The Galápagos Marine Reserve was established in 1998 to protect the waters around the Galápagos Islands and the many species of animals and fish that live there. There is a natural abundance of marine species in Galápagos because cold ocean currents bring rich nutrients for food, and there are a great variety of habitats: coral reefs, mangrove lagoons, rocky areas and sandy beaches.
There are over 450 species of fish in the Galápagos Islands, and about 17% of these are endemic. There are four varieties of shark including the reef white-tip and black-tip, scalloped hammerhead and Galápagos sharks. There are stingrays, eagle rays, golden rays and manta rays, as well as at least 16 species of moray eels.
What kinds of birds are found on the Galápagos Islands?
There are 29 species of land birds living in the Galápagos Islands, 22 of which are endemic. There are 19 species of sea birds that breed in Galápagos, and 5 of these are endemic. A partial list of birds found in the Galápagos include: blue herons, vermilion flycatchers, tyrant flycatchers, Galápagos hawks and doves, short-eared owls, woodpecker finches, petrels, and pelicans – on one island alone! Also found amongst the archipelago are: the great frigate bird and the magnificent frigate bird, the blue-footed booby, the red-footed booby and the Nazca booby, lava gulls, barn owls, and of course, Darwin’s finches.
The Galápagos penguin, endemic to the islands, is found on three Islands: Fernandina, Isabela and Bartolomé. This is the only penguin that is found north of the equator: it is able to survive because of the cold water found in the Humboldt Current.
The waved albatross only breed in one place in the world - on Española Island.
There are only 800-1000 pairs of flightless cormorant in the world, and they are found only on Isabela and Fernandina islands.
Are there any active volcanoes in the Galápagos?
Yes. The youngest islands, Isabela and Fernandina, are still being formed, with the most recent eruption occurring in 2005.
When were the Galápagos Islands first inhabited?
The first documented European discovery was on March 10, 1535. However, according to other sources, artifacts found on several islands indicate visitation by South American peoples prior to the arrival of the Spanish. The islands first appeared on maps in 1570 and were known as “Insulae de los Galopegos” – Islands of the Tortoises.
Who resides on the islands?
The Galápagos Islands are one of the few placed in the world without an indigenous population. The majority of the islands’ residents consist of Ecuatorian Mestizos, descendants of Spanish colonists and indigenous Native Americans.
Are all islands part of the national park?
In 1959, the Ecuadorian government declared 97.5% of the archipelago’s land area a national park, excluding colonized areas.
Why would an independent traveler want to experience the Galápagos with O.A.R.S.?
It is possible to travel to some of the Galápagos Islands on your own, however, we have ironed out all of the details. We travel efficiently between islands and we know where to find wildlife. A qualified guide approved by the Park Service must accompany all groups who visit the Galápagos National Park. We offer multi-lingual guides and naturalists for our small groups.
Which O.A.R.S. Galapagos Trip Best Suits You?
O.A.R.S. offers three unique itineraries for its guests. Each Galápagos vacation offers a small group setting with a guide and local naturalist. In our Multi-Sport and Sea-Kayaking trips, we offer the best guide-to-guest ratio in the business. We use responsible leadership and maintain small groups, minimizing our impact and keeping the environment healthy.
By land…
Galápagos Multi-Sport
After full days of viewing extraordinary wildlife, hiking, biking and snorkeling, we will stay in Galápagan-owned and operated lodges in portside villages. This allows for opportunities to learn the local lingo, eat regional dishes and stroll the beaches at night creating a cultural experience you would not experience on a tour boat. Staying in the local lodges is also a great way to contribute directly to the local community without sacrificing our access to this one-of-a-kind wildlife sanctuary. We visit the three largest islands and several others, and our small group size allows us to spend more time observing the bizarre wildlife.
View our Galapagos Multi-Sport Trip
By Sea…
Sea Kayaking the Enchanted Isles
Everyone kayaks. Through our affiliate in Ecuador, O.A.R.S. is the only North American adventure-travel company permitted to operate sea kayaking trips within the Galápagos National Park for our Sea Kayaking the Enchanted Islands adventure. Our partner in the Galápagos is a highly professional sea kayaking organization with a boat charter that permits us to visit the islands of San Cristobal, Espanola, Floreana, Santa Fe, Santa Cruz and Santiago, among others from a comfortable catamaran. The sea-kayaking trips include overnight stays on a catamaran while days are spent kayaking, snorkeling, exploring the islands and viewing wildlife. Everyone in the group is able to paddle kayaking routes within the park. Each trip includes a professional sea kayaking guide and an on-board Park Service-certified naturalist.
View our Galapagos Sea Kayaking Trip
Galápagos Expedition by Ship
Experience the islands as a naturalist by day and a gourmet by night. We will shuttle you from your temporary home-away-from-home, the marine vessel Polaris, to land each day via easily maneuverable Zodiac rafts. This adventure cruise offers opportunities to hike, snorkel and boat amongst the Galápagos' countless deserted islands. You will be accompanied by a staff of naturalists and historians, making the adventure cruise an unparalleled educational experience, in addition to lifelong memory.
View our Galapagos Expedition by Ship
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