Galápagos Islands

Seven Wonders of the Underwater World

The Galápagos are a young volcanic archipelago on the equator, isolated in the Pacific and formed over a hotspot, which is why their wildlife evolved in unusual ways. Charles Darwin visited in 1835 during the voyage of HMS Beagle, and observations of finches, mockingbirds and tortoises later informed his ideas on natural selection. The islands were among the first sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, in 1978, and surrounding waters form one of the largest marine reserves in the world. Underwater, visitors can snorkel with playful sea lions, watch marine iguanas graze algae, swim among sea turtles and, at certain sites, see Galápagos penguins and schools of fish. Experienced divers join liveaboard trips to Darwin and Wolf islands for hammerhead sharks and whale sharks, an advanced experience. Rules are strict because the ecosystem is fragile. Visitors must stay in authorised places, visit designated sites with certified naturalist guides, keep a prescribed distance from wildlife and carry a Transit Control Card obtained before the flight. A park entry fee is paid on arrival; under the schedule reviewed here, most international adults paid two hundred US dollars. Visitors can base themselves on land at Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal or Isabela for day trips, or sail on a licensed cruise. Water is cool in the dry season and warmer in the wet season, so a wetsuit is useful. Book well ahead, travel with respect and expect wildlife that does not flee from people.