ABOUT THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Located about 600 miles west of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands were created five million years ago by undersea volcanic eruptions. In 1535, Tomas de Berlanga, Bishop of Panama, sailed into this archipelago and named it Galapagos after the giant tortoises he encountered. Pirates used the islands for refuge and to bury their stolen treasure, but it wasn't until the end of the 19th century, when it became a regular port of call for whaling fleets, that the islands' wildlife became threatened.

The most celebrated visitor of the Galapagos was Charles Darwin, who arrived aboard the HMS Beagle in 1835. On the Galapagos Islands, it became clear to Darwin that, over time, different species adapt to their environment. He was intrigued by the fact that each small island had its own characteristic species of bird, lizard and tortoise. Because the islands' geographic and climate conditions were relatively similar, he reasoned that they were not responsible for these differences.

Instead, he concluded that the differences were related to feeding habits. This theory helped form the foundations of Darwin's unprecedented works on biological adaptation, natural selection and evolution.The rare life forms he encountered helped him formulate his theory of evolution, which he published in The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.

In 1934, the first legislation to protect the islands was enacted, but it wasn’t until 1959, when it became part of Ecuador’s national park system, that this fragile ecosystem with its rare and endemic species came under legal protection. In 1979 the Galapagos archipelago was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and subsequently a World Biosphere Reserve in 1985.

GALAPAGOS MARINE RESERVE

The interior waters of the Galapagos Islands, plus those within 40 nautical miles measured from the baseline of the Archipelago, were declared the Galapagos Marine Reserve in 1994. This is the only protected coastal marine area in the east Pacific and the second largest Marine Reserve in the world. It contains approximately 51,351 square miles of the interior waters of the Archipelago. There are many areas with small submarine volcanoes, which are important feeding zones for marine birds and mammals. The submarine area of the Galapagos (0 to 590 ft. deep) is 2,587 square miles.

Don't miss the chance of a lifetime to snorkel with sea lions, penguins, a variety of colorful fish and even inoffensive sharks. Diving tours are offered for those who carry diving licenses.

WILDLIFE ACTIVITY IN THE ISLANDS FOR:

January

• Beginning of the rainy season
• Land birds start nesting, generally after the first rain
• On Hood (Española) Island adult marine iguanas become brightly colored (green & red + black)
• The green sea turtles arrive to beaches on the Galapagos for egg laying period
• Land iguanas begin reproductive cycles on Isabela Island
• Both, water and air temperatures rise and stay warm until June
• Ideal time for snorkelling

February

• On Floreana Island greater flamingos start nesting
• Bahama pintail ducks (Black-tailed pintail) start their breeding season
• Nazca (masked) boobies on Española are at the end of their nesting season
• Marine iguanas nest on Santa Cruz Island
• The highest water temperature reaches 25C (77F). This temperature remains constant until April
• Very few penguins are sighted at Bartolome Island (most have followed the cool waters back to the west or near up welling areas)
• Nesting season of the Galapagos dove reaches its peak

March

• The rainy season reaches the highest precipitation (this does not mean it rains everyday)
• Sporadic tropical rains, intense sun and hot climate. Air temperature can reach up to 35C. Humidity is high.
• Marine iguanas nest on Fernandina
• March 21st, the beginning of the summer equinox signals the arrival of the waved albatross to Española.
• Even the western islands have warm waters where snorkelling is excellent. Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela) can be an amazing site. Penguins still active in the water, next to tropical fish! (How bizarre!)
• Some shores, especially those facing the north side, can receive deep surge (ola de fondo) coming from the northern currents. Wet landings at places like Puerto Egas, Gardner Bay, Bartolome can sometimes be a challenge.
• Snorkelers will remain long periods of time in the water by choice, marine life is very active.

April

• Massive arrival of waved albatrosses to Española. Amazing courtship starts.
• End of hatching season of the giant tortoises
• Eggs of green sea turtles begin to hatch
• Eggs of land iguanas hatch on Isabela
• While the rains have ended, the islands continue quite green
• Good visibility in the water for snorkelers
• Perhaps, together with May, the best months in Galapagos (weather, animals, water temperature)

May

• North Seymour's blue-footed boobies begin their courtship
• Sea turtles are still hatching on Gardner Bay, Punta Cormorant, and Puerto Egas
• Most of marine iguanas' eggs hatch from nests on Santa Cruz
• Palo Santo trees begin to shed their foliage
• Waved albatross on Española start laying their eggs
• Ban-rumped storm petrels begin their first nesting period

June

• Beginning of the garúa season
• Giant tortoises on Santa Cruz Island migrate from the highlands to the lowlands in search of suitable nesting places
• Beginning of the nesting season of giant tortoises
• South east trade winds return. Currents become a bit stronger. Seas pick up in surge and wave action.
• Many red pouches by males of Magnificent Frigate birds on North Seymour.
• Southern migrants have started their journey towards the north. Galapagos is a rest stop for such birds. Some species of cetaceans also follow this pattern of migration.
• Some groups of Humpback whales that migrate up to equatorial latitudes along the coast of Ecuador can reach the Galapagos too.

July

• Sea bird communities are very active (breeding), especially the Blue Footed Boobies on Española.
• Flightless cormorants perform beautiful courtship rituals and nesting activities on Fernandina.
• If you walk along the shores of Puerto Egas (Santiago Island) you could find American oystercatchers nesting.
• Lava lizards initiate mating rituals until November
• Cetaceans (whales & dolphins) are more likely to be observed, specially off the western coast of Isabela
• Great month to see the four stages of nesting in Blue Footed Boobies: eggs, chicks, juveniles and subadults.
• Water temperature does not reach more than 21C (68F)

August

• Galapagos hawks court on Española and Santiago
• Nazca (masked) boobies and Swallow-tailed gulls nest on Genovesa Island
• The temperature of the ocean drops to 18C (64F), which obviously varies according to the geographic zones among the islands.
• Migrant shore birds start to arrive, and stay on the islands until March
• Giant tortoises return to the highlands of Santa Cruz
• Oceans are quite choppy, currents at the strongest levels, surge can be expected along the shores that face west or south
• Pupping season (births) of sea lions has started. Western and central islands are common places for such sightings.

September

• Peak of the cold (garúa) season
• The air temperature reaches its lowest levels (19C/66F)
• Galapagos Penguins show remarkable activity on Bartolome.
• Since May swimmers and snorkelers can be delighted at Bartolome with penguins active at the surface or torpedo-like while underwater.
• Sea lions are very active. Females have reached oestrus stage, and so harem-gathering males are constantly barking and fighting. Shore fighting is heavy. Western and central islands are the most active ones in terms of sea lions' activities.
• Most species of sea birds remain quite active at their nesting sites.

October

• Lava herons start nesting until March
• The Galapagos Fur Seals (subspecies of sea lions) begin their mating period
• Blue Footed Boobies raise chicks all over Española and Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela)
• Giant tortoises are still laying eggs
• Days are not always sunny. Garúa can be expected in most locations, except the western islands where most days have a misty start but after few hours of daylight it burns off.
• Sunrises in the west can be quite beautiful after the garúa covers only certain locations of the western volcanoes.
• Summits are clear, but low-lying fog covers the shoreline.

November

• Pupping of sea lions continue.
• Sea lions are sexually active on the eastern part of the archipelago.
• Breeding season for the brown noddies
• Some species of jellyfish can be seen around the islands.
• The genus Physalia is commonly seen floating around Gardner and Tortuga Islets. Some can also be seen stranded at the shores of the Flour Beach at Floreana.
• Band-rumped storm petrels begin their second nesting period
• Seas are calm. South east trade winds have decreased strength. Water temperatures are slowly rising.
• Generally great weather due to transition between one season and the next one
• Good visibility for snorkelers
• Sea lion pups (especially at Champion Islet) play aqua-aerobics next to snorkelers. Most pups here are curious enough to nibble at fins of snorkelers. The average age of most pups is 3-4 months.

December

• Hatching of giant tortoise's eggs begins and lasts until April
• Green sea turtles display their mating behaviour
• The rainy season begins; all of the plants of the dry zone produce leaves. Galapagos becomes "green"
• The first young waved albatrosses fledge
• Great weather

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