An unforgettable experience

Getting to dive in The Galapagos Islands is truly a magical and unforgettable experience! Dive sites can be found on almost every Galapagos island. Each place is distinct and will suit a different level of diver experience. It ranges from strong currents and should only be attempted by experienced divers, while others are calm and appropriate for people who are unfamiliar with diving. A minimum quantity of previous dives may be required for the most advanced dive sites.

Best diving spots

• Darwin’s Island: considered a “marine wonderland”, Darwin’s Island is perfect for diving. Among the animals you can run across when diving here are hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, rays, green turtles, and a variety of tropical reef fish. Both Darwin and Wolf Islands are susceptible to unrestricted fishing and dive tourism because of their significant distance from the core islands.

• Wolf’s Island: the diving areas surrounding Isla de los Lobos de Galapagos are composed of volcanic platforms, cliffs, and underwater caverns that are filled with a variety of marine life. Wolf is also famous because the vampire finch is a well-known and unique native to be on the lookout for (also known as the sharp-nosed ground finch). 

• Carrion Point Dive Site: the surface of Punta Carrión is 90 feet below sea level. White tip reef sharks, scorpion fish, marbled and eagle rays, sea lions, turtles, vividly colored reef fish, scorpion fish and even dolphins are among the marine fauna to keep a watch out for.

• Cowley Islet: perfect place for diving and seeking beautiful marine wildlife. It was given that name in honor of Ambrose Cowley, an English pirate who created the first maps of the Galapagos. Due to the variety of marine life you may see there, including sea lions, sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, penguins, manta rays, and even seahorses that are shaped like Isabela Island, it is the ideal location for diving.

• Cape Marshall: this wall dive is a perfect option for people who have experience scuba diving since its currents are heavy. Cape Marshall is a reef dive that can be found 120 feet off the northwest coast of Isabela. Here, visitors get the chance to encounter sea lions, schools of Barracuda, Guineafowl Pufferfish, Parrotfish, Yellowtail Surgeonfish, and Whitetip and Hammerhead Reef Sharks. As well as, giant rays like Manta, Mobula and Marble which swim slowly in the deep waters.

• Vicente Rock Point: this is a stopping point for diving vessels like the Galapagos Sky. This dive is a wall dive with lots of coral-covered crevices to search for underwater life. Typically, currents are weak and visibility is good. This stunning site is perfect for snorkeling which you can only get access by boats since there is no place for landing. Tourists should keep their eyes open to witness puffer fish, octopus, seahorses, frogfish, red-lipped batfish, seahorses, and other reef fish. Sea lions, seagulls, and penguins frequently dive here in search of fish.

Important info!

The majority of the equipment is provided on Galapagos dive cruise, however, wherever possible tourists should bring their own equipment to the Galápagos islands which includes your own dive set, watch and gadgets. 

The standard usually varies depending on the operator, but it is generally in good condition and safe working order. Divers are also welcome to bring their own equipment if they prefer.

Be safe and enjoy every moment! This will leave rent free on your mind forever.

Galapagos Photography

The Galapagos Islands are known for its remarkable scenery and landscapes as well as for the wonderful wildlife. For this reason, visitors bring their cameras! It helps them capture every moment they spend in the archipelago. Moreover, Galapagos is a top-tier photography destination for both professional and beginners photographers. Make sure to keep reading so you capture the best photos ever!

What to bring

Cameras! It doesn’t matter its type or brand. Trying to bring multiple cameras is a smart option because there are numerous cameras at the bottom of the sea that were dropped by incautious tourists. Drops are also frequent on rocky pathways. Make sure to bring plenty of memory space and cards, as well as spare batteries or charges. Remember that using flash on your cameras is not permitted in protected areas.

Bring a proper type of camera

The Galapagos creatures aren’t afraid to get up close and personal with visitors in the islands’ neighborhoods, beaches, and bays. Try to pick  a good camera with any zoom settings to enjoy the benefits of this. A GoPro, waterproof camera is also suggested for any water activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving or other day journeys on the water.

Get to know the animals!

This is very important! Find a good travel reference book or check our list of Galapagos wildlife in the web page menu and take some time reviewing their characteristics. Discover how they move, how they look, what they eat and what colors they have. Then start planning how to take the best pictures when encountering these animals. This could make a huge difference between a good and a great image.

Schedule photos time

It is certainly a fact that taking a cruise is the best way to take incredible photos! Nevertheless, staying on land will also be a good scenery for this. Make sure to schedule some time on and off land to experience both landscapes and wildlife. Also, do some research on what time of the day is the best to take pictures!

Enjoy it to the fullest

There are so many things to see in the Galápagos Islands. You could spend an entire week and not get bored at all. There are so many reasons why people should visit the archipelago and enjoy every little thing it offers. Grab the things you need, include a camera and set out to explore the Galápagos Islands. However, keep in mind that not all locations can be visited without a Naturalist Guide.

Hiking

Yes, usually booking a tour to the Islands means a lot of walking through the tourist sites. There are different types of walks, some including up to 3 hours in length where you will undoubtedly appreciate the wildlife and beautiful landscapes of the Archipelago. Bring comfortable shoes of your choice because some roads can be difficult to walk on. Remember the Islands are mostly made up of volcanic residues!

Paddling

There are options for a more calm activity, you can try the new Stand Up Paddling trend (SUP). There are numerous calm bays in which you can paddle and also enjoy the beach. The Northern Coast of San Cristobal is popular for SUP. Sometimes visitors  will notice some iguanas and sea lions basking in the sun as they get into the water to paddle. 

Some sea lions may want to join you in the cool water and swim very close to your board. Don’t worry, they won’t collide with you. It’s so much fun to exercise while watching the playful sea lions and taking in the breathtaking views of the Archipelago.

Snorkeling

In Galápagos, many of the tours include snorkeling, which is the best way to see the incredible underwater marine life. Even from your boat, you can see some peculiar sea lions and penguins observing you approach them. There will also always be fish and corals to add color to your pictures. 

It is a wonderful and simple way to enjoy the marine wildlife while also letting the sun warm your back. Every  snorkeling excursion in the Galapagos Islands will be a breathtaking experience. Even so, from our point of view the best snorkeling spots in the Galapagos are Prince Phillip’s Steps, Devil’s Crown, and Punta Espinosa.

Scuba Diving

Scuba Diving is definitely an unforgettable experience! By doing this activity you’ll see so many marine species up close, but remember, you cannot touch any Galapagos living creatures. Imagine swimming alongside schools of rays, observing their gentle movements and patterns up close along with green sea turtles trying to eat some algae from the rocks.

Kayaking

A kayaking tour is an excellent method for experiencing the mangrove forest and its enormous amount of wildlife. It’s incredible how these plants can grow in salty water and still support such diverse flora and fauna!  Going  through the mangrove forest, you will undoubtedly confront large numbers of insects, frogs, snakes, and lizards.

Mountain Biking

Biking, like trekking, is an excellent way to explore the Galapagos Islands. You’ll basically cover more ground in less time. Bike to the Cerro Mesa on Santa Cruz or the Wall of Tears on Isabela Island, for example. Take a short break whenever you come across a Giant Tortoise or an Iguana, or simply enjoy the spectacular views from the top of the hills. After touring around on your bike, you can stop to watch the sunset or eat something. 

Safety

Of course you are seeking safety when traveling. This is a completely normal and intelligent thing to do. For this matter, do not worry when traveling to Galápagos Islands. Here, you’ll be safe and sound. Feel confident to trust the agency you are going with and enjoy its spectacular places. Crime is uncommon on the islands, and residents are at ease. Tourism police continuously patrol the main tourist destinations to provide additional reassurance. 

Emergency situations 

In any global or local emergency happening, the health of the islands is always a priority. Because of its importance, the Galápagos Islands can be evacuated quickly in an emergency to preserve their welfare. 

The Galápagos Visitor Center is constantly collaborating with local service providers to always provide visitors with a really amazing and memorable experience. We also take some extra precautions in all emergencies and always follow protocols established by the Ecuadorian government and the Galápagos National Park.

One of the safest places to visit

As history goes in Galápagos, the Islands have been cut off from the rest of the world since their inception. Galápagos has managed to stay a safe place to visit due to its exclusion, limited visitor numbers, and perfectly preserved environment

Because the Galápagos Islands are distinct from any other place on the planet, the Gálapagos National Park authorities have the critical task of safeguarding and conserving the fragile ecosystem while maintaining the islands’ charm and wellbeing.

Local Boats and Cruise Ships

There are no large cruise ships in which a thousand people are squished together here. Galápagos cruises are small but perfect. Some of them can carry not more than 90 passengers including the crew members, this makes them safe. There is a lower risk for passengers on smaller boats; fewer people indicates less contact with others, and plus you’ll receive more personal attention from the crew.

Coronavirus Outbreak

On the Galápagos Islands, Coronavirus vaccinations for residents were mandatory.  99% of the population in Galápagos has been vaccinated and fortunately, there have not been any reported cases for more than two months. Moreover, Beaches of the island, parks and touristic places and major tourist attractions are now completely open to the public. However, in hotels, restaurants and crowded places, hygiene regulations are in place and the use of masks are strictly enforced. Respecting space among people is also very important. These measures were made for people to travel freely throughout their country.

Family perdurable moments

Visiting the Galapagos Islands along with your family is definitely an unforgettable experience for both the parents and the childrens. The archipelago is an innate playground for people of all ages, with stunning beaches, islands where animals wander freely, and activities for the whole family.

Keep reading to learn some important things that could help during your family trip!

When to visit

Whatever category of trip you chose, the next question is when to go. Excellent thing is that the Galapagos Islands are a 365-day vacation spot with pleasant weather throughout the year while there is always something new and fascinating going on in nature. 

Nevertheless,  bad news would be that demand has always been high during children’s school vacations, so prepare ahead of time for better luck. We recommend booking at least 6-9 months ahead of time for summer travel and 1 year in advance for holidays such as Easter and Christmas.

Should I bring my one-year old?

Children of all ages are welcome to visit the Galapagos Islands. But even so, we suggest that children aged 5 and up get the most out of their experience. The teaching and learning resources of learning about nature, volcanoes, and evolution are priceless, and the family experiences will be exceptional.

Ways of making your own itinerary

Trips & Dreams travel specializes in custom Galapagos land tours, assisting you in creating a one-of-a-kind Galapagos itinerary that will keep your children enthused and the grown ups joyful. Simply let us know the ages of each member of the family, as well as which activities you’ll actually appreciate the most, and we’ll take care of the rest.

A few activities do offer children’s special offers, so be sure to ask us about them. You can also save money by staying in hotel family rooms.

Cruise or Land-Base tours?

While cruises take you even farther away from the city to see more diverse islands, and sailing guides can really introduce the Galapagos experience to life for kids, the disadvantage is that after a few days onboard the ship, visitors start feeling caged up. As a result, consider a land-based Galapagos trip. These tours can indeed be customized to your family, offering a wide range of fun things for all ages as well as giving you a lot more flexibility in activities.

Places to visit

• Snorkeling: this has been a favorite activity for many children because it allows them to interact with playful sea lions and see colorful underwater creatures.
• Education centers: learning is an essential part of the Galapagos activity for children as well as for adults!  There are interpretation centers on each of the main islands in which visitors can gain knowledge about the truly matchless Galapagos life.
• Beaches: these spots are usually the simplest method of keeping the whole family entertained for a whole day, and Galapagos has lots of choices. We suggest Puerto Villamil Beach (Isabela Island) or Tortuga Bay (Santa Cruz Island), both of which have long stretches of sandy beaches, are wonderful for swimming. They also have plenty of wildlife to keep wandering kids happy, including marine iguanas, sea lions, sally lightfoot crabs, and sea birds.