The most prominent of Ecuador’s attractions is the pristine chain of volcanic islands that make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Galápagos.
Made famous by Charles Darwin, who studied the islands’ fantastic array of fauna and flora, which ultimately contributed to his theory of evolution, the islands’ endemic wildlife and ecosystems are as fascinating today as they were in 1835.
Choose to follow in Darwin’s footsteps, and discover the Galápagos. Revel in the opportunity to encounter a plethora of marine life and other exceptional species such as Darwin’s finch, Galápagos hawk, iguanas, Galápagos snakes and so much more. Cruise around the Galápagos Islands in the sublime comforts of a luxury catamaran or yacht, where you will be treated to the most in-depth explorations of the islands and their surrounding waters.
Four reasons why you must visit the Galápagos Islands:
Get up-close-and-personal with extraordinary wildlife
Renowned for hosting a wide variety of wildlife that has evolved with little human contact or major predators for hundreds of years, allows for exceptional viewing opportunities from a surprisingly close range in their natural habitat.
Ample along with giant tortoises, sit face-to-face with sea lions on sandy beaches, and meet birds-of-a-feather perched in nearby trees.
An abundance of wild- and plant-life on offer, found nowhere else on earth
More than 80% of land animals and 30% of plant species on the Galápagos are endemic—meaning they only exist in this one place on the entire planet.
Giant Galápagos tortoises, land and marine iguanas, sea lions, green sea turtles, stingrays, penguins, an array of tropical fish, plus three kinds of bobbies, the Galápagos penguin, waved albatross, frigatebirds, the Galápagos dove, flightless cormorant, and mockingbirds are just a few of the incredible marine-, wild- and bird-life to be seen.
Explore unspoiled ecosystems
Most of the islands remain uninhabited today, and there are laws and tourism restrictions in place that were designed to protect the biodiversity of these pristine ecosystems.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, the Galápagos Islands are one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, with 97% of its islands forming a protected national park. Half of its land species and one-fifth of its marine species are endemic to the Galápagos. What this means for travellers is a relatively unspoiled experience filled with dense forests, volcanic lava tubes, and picturesque beaches.
Swim, snorkel and scuba some of the best spots of earth
Renowned for its spectacular diving and snorkelling spots; while some islands offer better viewing opportunities than others, no matter which island you’re adventuring from, you’ll likely be swimming alongside sea lions and Pacific sea turtles, with the opportunity to see hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, eagle rays, plus large schools of jack fish.
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