If you’ve never been to the Galapagos Islands, you’ve missed out on seeing some of the most exotic species of animals in the world. The area is like no other place on earth. These volcanic islands just off the coast of Ecuador are home to unique iguanas, tortoises, penguins, sea lions, flightless cormorants, dolphins, whales, and many other species that evolved a little differently because they’ve been isolated in this small area of the Pacific Ocean for thousands of years. A cruise to the region gives you the chance to see nature as its most pristine. Only 45,000 people live in the Galapagos, and cruises give tourists a chance to visit the islands and experience this unique environment for themselves.
Exciting Adventures
Cruises to the Galapagos offer the chance to experience many exciting adventures. From snorkeling and whale watching to observing sea turtles and dolphins while they play in the crystal clear waters, excitement is everywhere on a cruise to this region. The Galapagos offers lots of chances to see animals that don’t exist anywhere else in the world. For people who like animals, and especially those with an interest in natural history, this region is the perfect place for a vacation cruise.
Explorating the Islands
The Galapagos Islands offer lots of opportunities for exploration on both land and in the water. Eighteen main islands, four smaller islands, and over a hundred rocks and islets means lots of places to explore. The only wild penguins that live near the equator are on a few of these islands, and the oldest island is made of volcanic rock that is over 3.5 million years old. Nature still rules here, and human impact is kept to a minimum.
Educational Opportunities
The Galapagos Islands are where Charles Darwin conducted his famous research that changed the way humans think about our own past. The Charles Darwin Research Station is on one of the main islands. Scientists from around the world work together here to further research and develop new conservation strategies to protect the islands. It features a natural history interpretation center with various educational projects throughout the year. The animals Darwin saw still exist on the islands today, and children who get to go on cruises here will have an easy time understanding how evolution works. They’ll get the chance to see the Galapagos finches that played such an important role in Darwin’s papers, and observe the same behaviors he saw that led him to develop his conclusions.
A Pristine Environment
Here, animals were able to evolve in isolation. According to Nature Galapagos & Ecuador, “They did not develop a natural fear of humans like animals on the mainland did. To this day, visitors can see animals that don’t react at all to the presence of humans. They have no innate fear of humans and don’t perceive them as a threat. This makes it possible to see wildlife like never before.”
Tropical Conditions
Like in all tropical environments, the weather in the area tends to be rainy because the Galapagos are directly at the equator, but temperatures are mild. During the summer months, the average temperatures stay in the 70’s.
A Galapagos cruise needs to be your next vacation. It can be a life changing experience for people of all ages. The diversity of wildlife, the oddities of evolution, and the intensity of undisturbed nature make this a great destination for relaxing, learning, and enjoying what the natural world has preserved through time for those who embark on this incredible journey. If you haven’t starting planning your next vacation yet, you need to put this destination at the very top of your list.