Galapagos Islands Cruise
Written: Dec 08 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: close-up wildlife, fantastic photo opportunities
Cons: expensive
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| stuartmelvin's Full Review: Galápagos Islands |
The Galapagos Islands are a truly amazing collection of volcanic islands that lie 600 miles due west of Ecuador in South America. The islands straddle the equator and play host to a unique and spectacular collection of wildlife. Most animals and birds remain largely unconcerned by the presence of man and the ever increasing numbers of tourists. This creates a brilliant opportunity to see wildlife up close in a location that certainly has a claim to being the world's greatest national park.
The islands wildlife include the celebrated giant tortoises that can live to well over a hundred years of age. The almost prehistoric land and marine iguana are abundant and share the beaches and rocks with sea lions, crabs and penguins. Sea birds include the famous blue-footed, red-footed and masked boobies as well as the "magnificent" frigatebirds and many other spectacular species. Whilst on land, spectacular birds like the vermilion flycatcher and the yellow warbler add lots of colour. The brilliance of the wildlife is beyond description in a short peace like this and so I'll stick to some the practicalities of visiting the islands.
Cruise itineraries are agreed in advance with the park authorities and your ship will only visit certain islands. It is not possible to visit all the islands on such scheduled cruises. However, you will maximise the amount you see if you spend a full week on board (i.e. 7 nights as opposed to 3 or 4 nights).
When planning a trip to the islands, it is worth checking which islands your ship visits. There are not really any particularly good or bad itineraries – but you may have some preferences or wish to see a particular type of wildlife. My favourites (though others will no doubt differ) included the islands of Genovesa (Tower) and Espanola (Hood).
A typical day will normally include a morning and afternoon excursion to one of the islands (returning to the ship for lunch). Landings on the islands are either "wet" or "dry". For dry landings, you should wear good walking shoes as you will be jumping from the dinghy onto lava rocks. Wet landings may be done either in bare feet or sandals as you will be stepping out of the dingy into ankle (or perhaps knee) deep water and walking up the sand or coral beach.
Cruising the Galapagos is a superb (and certainly 5 star) activity. There is an excellent choice of cruise ships (dependent on your finances and the type of holiday you wish). The wildlife is second to none and keen photographers will have a bonanza - we swam with sea lions, stepped carefully over nesting boobies, sat next to the giant tortoises, had a picnic lunch with a great blue heron and watched albatrosses launching themselves of the cliff face....magnificent!!
Some general hints and tips:
The entrance fee to the national park is US $100 per person and is payable in cash on arrival at the airport.
No seat allocations are made on internal flights within Ecuador. Accordingly, it is a good idea to be in plenty of time to adopt an advantageous position for quick boarding.
Despite the location, the Galapagos Islands can suffer from cloudy weather, rain and drizzle - but NEVER forget that you are on the Equator and at the seashore. Wear a hat and use plenty of sun protection cream - it may appear unnecessary but the sun is always strong.
Most "wet" landings can normally be done in bare feet – so carrying beach shoes or sandals (as well as your walking shoes) may become a nuisance.
Take plenty of film. As the birds and animals rarely run away when approached, you will always be tempted to get a better shot than those you have already taken. Hence, large volumes of photographs are taken.
There is a small shop and office representing the Charles Darwin Research Station located in the airport building on Baltra Island that will stamp your passport with a handsome Galapagos identity image. It is free.
As with most destinations, it is a good idea to do some research before you depart as this knowledge will certainly enhance the quality of your visit. The following books are all highly recommended:
Galapagos Wildlife – A Visitor's Guide (Bradt)
by David Horwell & Pete Oxford
Galapagos - Islands Born of Fire
by Tui De Roy
Flowering Plants of the Galapagos
by Conley K McMullen
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
stuartmelvin
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Member: Stuart Melvin
Location: London, UK
Reviews written: 16
Trusted by: 8 members
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