A magical animal kingdom

This is a true birdwatcher’s paradise for everyone. Not only because of the huge variety of species, but also because you can get so close to them here. Travel specialist Petra had this to say: “I didn’t think I was particularly interested in birds myself; of course, I’ve always loved seeing toucans, macaws, flamingos and so on, but now that I can get so close to this little bird, I find it a truly special experience.”

If you’re lucky, you might see a frigatebird inflating its bright red throat pouch to impress a female during the breeding season.

The blue-footed booby is one of the Galapagos’ icons. The name ‘booby’, as this bird is known in English, comes from the Spanish word ‘bobo’, meaning ‘clown’. With its comical appearance, this bird is therefore very popular with visitors.

Of the 17 species of penguin living on the planet, the Galapagos penguin is the second smallest in the world and the only penguin to live north of the equator. It is quite rare to spot the Galapagos penguin. Galápagos penguins nest in loose colonies in burrows or crevices close to the coast and breed all year round.

A total of 28 different species of reptiles have been recorded in the Galapagos. No fewer than 19 of these species are endemic to the archipelago. The reptiles are the most prehistoric-looking animals found here and, although they may look a bit scary, they do no harm to anyone.

In the Galapagos, you’re bound to come across an iguana. The marine iguana is an excellent swimmer, and it’s particularly amusing to see its little head poking out of the water. There are also three species of iguana that live on land: the land iguana, the pink land iguana and the Santa Fe land iguana, which, as the name suggests, is found only on the island of Santa Fe.

When the Bishop of Panama discovered the archipelago, the giant tortoises must have been among the most striking animals roaming the islands, with an estimated population of around 100,000 at the time. These animals have been hunted for centuries, meaning that there are now only around 15,000 left. Coming face to face with one of these giants is an unforgettable experience.

Upon arrival on one of the islands, you’ll be immediately welcomed by the Galapagos’ most prominent inhabitants: the sea lions. The animals have no qualms about taking a seat on a bench or stretching out to sunbathe on the beach where you’ve laid out your beach towel. Whilst snorkelling, you may find that a young, curious sea lion wants to play with you.

The waters surrounding the islands are also home to a rich variety of wildlife. This is because seven major ocean currents converge here, creating an unusual but truly impressive underwater world. Sea turtles, sea lions, rays, sharks, seahorses and large schools of colourful fish are just some of the creatures you can spot during an afternoon’s snorkelling.

Are you a keen diver? If so, you’ve no doubt already looked into the diving opportunities available during your stay. Diving is certainly well worth it. You can book a dedicated diving cruise, but it’s also possible to add a day’s diving to another cruise or during a stay on land. We’d be happy to tell you more about the options.