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Situated in the Pacific Ocean 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, The Galapagos Islands is an Ecuadorian national park consisting of 13 major islands and 42 islets scattered across 17,000 square miles of ocean.  One of the natural wonders of the world, the Galapagos Islands were revealed to be a living laboratory of biological and geological significance by famed naturalist Charles Darwin, who arrived in the archipelago in 1835 at age 26, during his historic voyage aboard the HMS Beagle.  While he only spent five weeks here, Darwin's observations of the animal and plant species that had successfully adapted and survived for centuries in the Galapagos' harsh environment were key to the development of the theory of evolution detailed in his landmark work  "Origin of the Species" published in 1859.

The rare creatures Darwin encountered here, from giant tortoises to marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies, continue to attract thousands of tourists every year from around the globe.  More then 100 vessels, from motorized sailboats to small cruise ships, transport visitors on cruises through the islands.  By far Ecuador's number one tourism draw, the Galapagos is protected by the government regulations which impose limits on the number and size of vessels allowed to cruise around the islands.  Everyone must strictly adhere to national park regulations as no one is allowed to explore islands on their own, and visitors can only go ashore on organized tours led by government-approved guides.  When exploring an island its mandatory to stay on designated paths and trails, so as not to disturb nesting sites and leave each island natural habitat as undisturbed as possible.

The following is a brief overview of wildlife encounters that may be experienced on several of the most frequently visited islands on Galapagos' itineraries.  Each island is volcanic in origin and emerged from the ocean during a series of violent eruptions over a period of a million years.

Espanola (Hood) Island

Bird watchers are especially enamored of this place that is home to several seldom seen species including Darwin's finches, waved albatross and Hood mockingbirds.  Also thriving here are red and green marine iguanas which get their vivid coloration from the seaweed that is their main food source.  At Gardner Bay its possible to swim and snorkel amidst a friendly colony of sea lions.

Fernandina Island

The youngest and most volcanically active of the islands is home to a substantial population of flightless cormorants as well as the largest colony of marine iguanas found in the Galapagos.  The most distinctive aspects of these iguanas' anatomy is the row of spines along their back, while their scaly skin morphs from black to blue to red during mating season.

Isabela Island

Flamingos abound in the saltwater lagoons near the small town of Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island.  The island has five volcanoes, including the Sierra Negra which has the second largest crater (six miles in diameter) in the world.  The waters off Isabela are inhabited by dolphins, whales, sea turtles and the elusive mola-mola (ocean sunfish)

Santa Cruz Island

Sanata Cruz is the site of the largest village on the Galapagos, Puerto Ayora, along with the Charles Darwin Research Station know worldwide for its tortoise breeding programs.  Here one can also see giant tortoises in the world on an excursion through the forested highlands.  The oldest reptiles in existence, these hearty creatures can reach 200 years old and weight up to 600 pounds.

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