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The Galapagos Islands

Sunset

Found 600 miles off the coast of South America, this volcanic archipelago has changed little since Charles Darwin visited the islands in 1845. Now designated a World Heritage Site, the Galapagos Islands originally provided the inspiration for some of Darwin's theories on evolution and continue to inspire visitors today.

Iguana

To visit the Galapagos is to get a glimpse of nature and wildlife virtually untouched by man. Here it is easy to approach animals in their own habitats and witness up close the distinct niches that each species occupies. Activities include sea kayaking, diving, snorkeling, and hiking. It is an unforgettable treat to swim with sea lions and turtles and sail alongside playful dolphins and whales.
Mockingbird

One of the best ways to visit the islands is by privately chartering a motor yacht for a pre-planned but flexible itinerary. However, nothing evokes the image of tranquility that Darwin must have had when he first landed in the Galapagos as coming ashore in a private sailing boat. By carefully selecting your boat ahead of time, you will be able to take part in those activities that specifically interest you and your group. Some of the boats are specially outfitted with compressors for those with a diving interest while others are equipped with stabilizers to minimize the discomfort of open-sea crossings between islands at night. Another less expensive option is to join group departures on the Eclipse, which is a small cruise ship offering the highest standard of amenities and services. Whether you choose a private sailing ship for just your family of 6 or decide to join a larger cruise ship, you are sure to never forget your time in the Galapagos.

For more information on dates of set departures on the
Eclipse or to charter a yacht please contact us.
The Islands

Each island offers exciting explorations and the discovery of rare and special animals, birds and marine life in the region. For further descriptions of some of our favorite islands, please 'click' on those islands with dark green text on the map below.
Blue Footed Boobies
Click on the name of an island to get its description!

 

 

 

 

 

 

DESCRIPTIONS OF SOME OF THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

1. Bartolomé Island
This small island of beautiful white sand beaches and green mangroves is best known for its geological formations. There is the towering Pinnacle Rock, which is the remains of an eroded tuff cone as well as other volcanic cones and lava tubes. A climb to the summit reveals one of the best views on the islands and the nearby waters are great for swimming and snorkeling to look for sea turtles and for observing a small colony of penguins.
Lava cone

 

 
2. Genovesa (or Tower) Island
A rarely visited small island at the outer edge of the archipelago. When people think back on their time in the Galapagos, they often think of Genovesa. You will awaken to find yourself anchored in the middle of a collapsed volcano surrounded by the cliffs of an ancient caldera. Hiking trails lead one through coral beaches filled with lava and swallow-tailed gulls and into a saltbush forest, which is the home of colonies of magnificent frigate birds. On other parts of the island, the rare red footed boobie can be found along with Galapagos doves, tropic birds, finches and thousands - perhaps millions - of storm petrels and the short-eared owls, which hunt them during the day. The swimming here is wonderful and you might even find some fur seals on the beach.
Red Footed Boobie

 

 

3. Fernandina
(or Narborough) Island
One of the largest most pristine islands in the world with no introduced species to date. Here you will hike along the lava field shore to observe the largest colony of marine iguanas and look for flightless cormorants, pelicans and sea lions.

 Marine Iguana

 

 

4. Isabella (or Albermarle) Island
The largest island in the Galapagos, which also hosts the largest population (8,000) of remaining giant Galapagos tortoises. Only about 15,000 of these animals remain from an estimated 250,000 before humans discovered the islands. The island has six shield volcanoes (five of which are still active) thus providing a glimpse at a variety of volcanic habitats, such as crater lakes and ash deposits and the pioneering plants trying to establish a foothold. Take a panga (small boat) ride and explore the coastline and sea turtle lagoons looking for dolphins, swimming iguanas and sea lions.

Sea lions
Sea Lions


 

 

5. Española (or Hood) Island
This island is much older and more flat than the other islands and is used by sea lions and is a major nesting site for sea turtles. Here you may have the opportunity to swim with sea lions and many other beautiful fish. On the island is a stunning variety and density of wildlife including virtually the entire population of waved albatross, which have a wingspan of 6 feet. Several species of reptiles and numerous birds live and nest in the cliffs and pebble and sand beaches.

Blue Footed Boobie
 

6. Santa Cruz (or Indefatigable) Island
Home to the Charles Darwin Research Center and the village of Puerto Ayora. At the research center there is a captive breeding population of giant Galapagos tortoises, which serve as an important source for furthering scientific knowledge about the tortoises' behavior and as a potential source for repopulating other islands. As the economic center of the Galapagos Islands and only one of four islands with permanent human settlements, it will be quite a contrast to the other islands.

 Tortoise

 

 

 

7. Santiago (or James) Island
Here you can cruise to James Bay to visit flamingo lagoon and a turtle-nesting beach. During low tide, there are great tide pools for exploring and searching for octopus and starfish and seeing the lava herons, oyster catchers and yellow crowned night herons. Fur seals ride in on the cool Humboldt Current and haul out on the black lava beaches. At Sullivan Bay, you will see pahoehoe, or rope lava, from eruptions this century. Large populations of feral goats still inhabit this island providing a challenge for conservationists trying to protect native vegetation and important wildlife habitats.

Oyster Catcher

Rope Lava

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