12 Interesting Facts about the unique Galapagos Islands

Journey to the land of pure ecstasy, the Galápagos Islands, a heavenly archipelago in the South American country Ecuador, featuring a diverse world of captivating adventure. A once-in-a-lifetime experience for explorers and fun lovers awaits in the form of unique wildlife encounters, phenomenal scenery, and a plethora of specially planned activities like snorkelling, kayaking and more. The fun is never-ending as you mingle with welcoming locals, learn about their fascinating cultures, and delight your palates with mouth-watering local cuisines. What’s even more exciting are interesting facts about the islands that’ll fascinate you; here are some of them. 

 

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Photo credit: Maridav

 

1. The Galapagos Islands are volcanically active.

Created from over a millennia of volcanic activity, the Galapagos Islands are one of nature’s unique masterpieces. To this day, the archipelago is still a hotspot, experiencing intermittent eruptions from time to time. With 13 active volcanoes on the island, you may get lucky to witness one of nature's rarest occurrences. The most recent eruption was the La Cumbre (2020).

 

 

2. One of the most safeguarded places.

From exotic wildlife to pristine floral and faunas, this archipelago is considered one of nature’s gems on earth. The National Park makes up 97% of the current land mass and is regarded as one of the most safeguarded places. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, the islands benefit from strict protection measures to preserve their unique biodiversity and ecosystems.

 

 

3. About 79,000 tourists explore the island on liveaboards yearly

Exploring the Galapagos on liveaboards is the favourite choice of most tourists. Thousands of visitors explore the islands each year aboard various luxury vessels, each tourist relishing the memories made after leaving the island. Get to choose among exotic options of guided tours in the Galapagos with fun-filled itineraries and amazing discoveries. Explore our many Best Ecuador & Galapagos Cruises on a luxury cruise holiday that will have you absorbed in your surroundings whether it be onboard or offboard excursions in true expedition style.

 

 

4. 800 species of Mollusc and Over 400 species of fish

Home to many mollusc species, the Galapagos is a wonder to behold for wildlife admirers. Discover new species of snails, cuttlefish, octopus, and oysters, many of which are unique to these islands. Snorkelling is even more fun when you have a variety of colourful fish species to play with. Explore breathtaking underwater landscapes with diverse marine creatures.

 

 

5. Charles Darwin and the Galapagos. 

Rife with ancient history, the Galapagos is credited for being a source of inspiration for one of science’s major theories. Arriving on the archipelago in 1835, young Charles Darwin spent 5 weeks on the islands to discover certain differences in similar animals that have adapted to the harsh conditions of the islands. This discovery birthed the idea of the theory of evolution by natural selection.

 

 

6. Three types of Boobies

The three species of boobies are quite distinct, each having its lovely characteristics and peculiar behaviour. Tourists seem to be more fascinated by the blue-footed boobies, making them the most photographed of the three. Watch as the red-footed boobies dive into the ocean to catch their next meal of the day. The Nazca boobies are characterised by their brilliant white plumage and black-tipped feathers

 

Photo credit: BlueOrange Studio

 

7. Made from the Intersection of three tectonic plates

The Islands sit on the juncture of three tectonic plates: the Pacific, Cocos, and Nazca. Moving ever slowly at the rate of 5 cm (0.6ft) per year, they result in the infrequent volcanic eruptions experienced on the islands. The dramatic volcanic landscape is one of the awe of the Galapagos island, giving it the islands’ otherworldly charm.

 

8. The Galapagos Giant Tortoise

Discover the oldest living creature on the island, the Galapagos Giant Tortoise. Interestingly, the archipelago got its very name from these fascinating creatures known to survive for over a year without food. They can weigh over 400 kilograms (880 pounds) and live for over 100 years.

 

Photo credit: Kristel Segeren

 

9. Darwin's Finches

The Galapagos Islands are famous for their diverse array of finches, collectively known as Darwin's finches. These small birds played a pivotal role in Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection, as he observed variations in their beak shapes and sizes corresponding to different food sources on the islands. Today, studying these finches continues to provide valuable insights into evolutionary processes and ecological adaptation.

 

 

10. The archipelago is constantly evolving.

Debatably, the Galapagos consists of 19 islands, with 4 currently inhabited. Like the surrounding nature, the archipelago constantly evolves as old islands sink and new ones appear. The credit goes to the consistent volcanic activities that, over time, change the structure of the whole islands.

 

 

11. Visit any time of the year.

Open all year round, any time is a great time to visit the fascinating Galapagos Island. Its strategic location along the equator gives it a year-round temperate climate suitable for touring the dazzling archipelago. Plan your next visit to the Galapagos Islands by checking out our guided tours all year round, each offering the best packages with significant savings.

 

 

12. Stars in your eyes

Far from the glow of city lights, you'll find an unobstructed canvas of the night skies painted with the brilliance of countless stars. The Island’s strategic location along the Equator grants visitors the remarkable chance to witness constellations from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres simultaneously. It's a cosmic dance that enchants and inspires, inviting you to lose yourself in the vastness of the universe above.

 

 

Lovely Dance with Nature

Connect with nature most spectacularly by visiting one of the most preserved archipelagos filled with amazing adventures and fun times. Contact us to get your Galapagos adventure started.

 

 

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