Galápagos Islands Things to Do

 
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Most Viewed Things to Do in Galápagos Islands

1.

Diving and Snorkeling   Galápagos Islands

Diving and Snorkeling, Galápagos Islands

 47 Reviews  The snorkeling along the edge of the lava flow at Sullivan Bay was excellent and we stayed in the water for 1.5 hours. We visited several great snorkeling locations during the cruise with M/S... 

2.

Charles Darwin Research Center   Galápagos Islands

Charles Darwin Research Center, Galápagos Islands

 16 Reviews  Also known as Solitary George, Lonesome George is the last turtle of his sub-species (Geochelone elephantopus abingdoni). His turtle buddies were all killed by either whalers in the 19th century (who... 

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Lava Heron (Galapagos Heron)

by MalenaN

The Lava Heron (Butorides sundevalli) is endemic to Galapagos Islands, and there it is quite common and can often be seen around mangrove swamps, tidal pools or along rocky shores.In size, shape and colouration it is very similar to the Striated Heron and by some authorities the Lava Heron is even considered to be a subspecies of the Striated Heron. The Lava Heron is a small heron, around 35cm long. The plumage is dark grey, which blends well with the colour of the lava rocks. When breeding the legs become brighter yellow and the bill darker blackYou will often see the Lava Heron sit still on a stone or a branch near the shore where it waits for small crabs and fish which it feeds on.During the breeding season the Lava Herons are monogamous. If conditions are favourable they breed throughout the year, but mostly between September - March. The nest is often built in the lower branches of...

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Common Gallinule

by MalenaN

In July 2011 the committees AOU and IOC voted to split the Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) found in America from the Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) found in the rest of the world.The Common Gallinule is a medium sized bird, belonging to the Rail-family. It becomes around 30-38cm long. The plumage is black with some white feathers in the tail and by the wings. It has a very characteristic bright red bill and forehead. The tip of the bill is yellow. The legs and feet are yellow with reddish upper parts.The Common Gallinule can often be seen around brackish ponds and lagoons where they feed mostly on small insects and plants. The Common Gallinules in the photos were seen around the small pools west of Puerto Villamil, Isla Isabela.

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Sanderling

by MalenaN

The Sanderling (Calidris Alba) is a small wader that is common in the Galapagos Islands. It is a migrant bird and breeds in the Arctic areas. In the Galapagos Islands it can be found in the coastal zone, mostly on sandy beaches.The Sanderlings in the photos have got a non-breeding plumage. It is light grey on back, head and tail, and the belly is white. When in breeding plumage the upperparts are mottled in brown/rusty-red. The bill is quite long and black, and also the legs are black.In the soft sand at the tidal line you can see the Sanderling running around and plunging its bill into the sand looking for prey. They feed on invertebrates buried in the sand.The Sanderlings in the photos were running fast on the beach at Tortuga Bay; Isla Santa Cruz. They were never still so it was difficult to get a good photo

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Semipalmated Plover

by MalenaN

The Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) is a small plover that is quite common in the Galapagos Islands. It is a migrant bird, but it can be seen year round on the islands. It mostly occurs in the shore zone, on sandy beaches or by small lagoons, but it can also be seen by freshwater pools in the highlands.The Semipalmated Plover has brown upperparts with a white collar and a white forehead. The underparts are white with a dark breast-band. When breeding the breast-band is black and the bill orange and black. When not breeding the breast-band is brown and the bill is darker.The Semipalmated Plover feed on crustaceans, insects and worms.The Semipalmated Plover in the photo was walking at the water edge of a small lagoon by the path near Cerro Dragon, Isla Santa Cruz.

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Whimbrel

by MalenaN

The Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) is common in Galapagos Islands, but it is a migrant bird that prefers breading in the colder northern climates of North America, Europe and Asia. In the Galapagos it can often be found along sandy beaches, by lagoons and tidal pools.The Whimbrel is a large wader with a long curved bill. The females have a longer bill than the males. The legs and neck are long and the plumage is grey-brown with a paler underpart than upperpart. Whimbrels eat small crustaceans and marine worms they pick up from the muddy surface they walk over, and they eat small fish and insects.The Whimbrel in the two first photos was walking on the beach west of Puerto Villamil, Isla Isabela. And the Whimbrel in the 3rd and 4th photos was seen at a lagoon along the trail at Cerro Dragon.

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Galapagos Flightless Grasshopper

by MalenaN

There is not a great number of insect species in the Galapagos Islands, but only something over a thousand. There are 22 species of grasshoppers and one of them is the endemic Galapagos Flightless Grasshopper (Halemus robustus), a small grasshopper without wings.The Galapagos Flightless Grasshoppers are quite widespread on the islands, but their brownish colouring make it very difficult to see them. This Galapagos Flightless Grasshopper was sitting on a flower of a Galapagos Cotton bush so it was easier to spot it against the light yellow background. If it had been sitting on one of the branches instead we would probably have passed without seeing it. The photo is taken along the trail to Cerro Dragon, Isla Santa Cruz.

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Galapagos Sea Lion

by MalenaN

The Galapagos Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus wollebaeki) is an endemic subspecies. It is common, and there is a population of about 50 000 Sea Lions in the Galapagos Islands. They can be seen in many places near the shores, on beaches, on the rocks or even in the towns (for example on a porch in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and at the Fish Market in Puerto Ayora). Don’t be surprised if you get surrounded by playful sea lions while snorkelling. It is absolutely fantastic!The male Sea Lion becomes very large, up to 230cm in length, with a weigh up to 250kg. They have a dark brown fur, which almost looks black when wet and they have a thick neck.The females are smaller and weigh up to 120kg. They have lighter brown fur, which looks dark brown when wet. There are many more females as only one tenth of the Sea Lion pups are males.The Galapagos Sea Lions feed during the day and they mostly eat...

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Galapagos Fur Seal

by MalenaN

The Galapagos Fur Seal (Arctocephalus galapagoensis) is much smaller then the Galapagos Sea Lion. The male is significantly larger than the female. They can be up to 160cm long and weigh up to 75kg, while the females only weigh up to 35kg. The Galapagos Fur Seal have a broad head with a pointed nose. They have a much thicker fur than the Sea Lions. With a thicker fur they prefer cool water and shade on rocky shores. The Galapagos Fur Seal is quite common and the population consists of around 40 000 fur seals. They are not seen as often as the Sea Lions though and when you see them it is usually along rocky shores where they rest in crevices, away from the sun. As they feed during night they are not seen so often at sea. The Galapagos Fur Seal feed mainly on fish and squid. During El Niño years when the water around the Galapagos Islands become warmer and the fish migrate to cooler water...

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Short-eared Owl

by MalenaN

The Short-eared Owl in Galapagos Islands is an endemic subspecies, Asio flammeus galapagoensis. It is found on most islands and usually in open land and grassland. There are around 9000 Short-eared Owls in Galapagos.The name Short-eared Owl comes from the fact that there are tufts of feathers that look like ears on the head. The eyes are large and yellow with a black ring around. The facial disc can be light in colour but also dark brown. The beak is dark and hooked. The plumage is dark brown and mottled. The underparts are lighter with streaks. The Short-eared Owls becomes around 34-43cm long and the female is usually a little larger than the male.The Short-eared Owls are diurnal, but can mostly be seen hunting in the early morning or late evening. They eat rodents, large insects and small birds.The Short-eared Owls nest on the ground and they are usually monogamous.The Short-eared Owl...

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Galapagos Barn Owl

by MalenaN

The Barn Owl on Galapagos Islands is an endemic subspecies, Tyto alba punctatissima. It is quite uncommon and there are around 9000 Barn Owls on the islands. They occur both in the lowlands and in the highlands and can be found on Isla Santa Cruz, Isla San Cristóbal, Isla Isabela and Isla Fernandina.The Barn Owls have a characteristic hart-shaped facial disk with large dark eyes. The facial disc works as a satellite dish and collects sounds to the ears. Around the facial disk there is a brown edge. The under part of the Barn Owl is whitish with black spots and the upper part is golden-brown with black and white spots.The Barn Owls are nocturnal birds but they can also be seen hunting at dusk and dawn. They have excellent hearing and usually use sound when they look for prey. They eat rodents, reptiles and other birds.Nests of the Barn Owl can be found in small cavities, in lava tubes,...

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Fun things to do in Galápagos Islands

Top 3 Hotels in Galápagos Islands

Red Mangrove Isabela Lodge  Isla Isabela

 51 Opinions

 Hotels in Isla Isabela

Finch Bay Eco Hotel  Puerto Ayora

 232 Opinions

 Hotels in Puerto Ayora

La Casa Marita  Puerto Villamil

 90 Opinions

 Hotels in Puerto Villamil

36 Hotels in Galápagos Islands
 
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Reviews and photos of Galápagos Islands attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Galápagos Islands sightseeing.

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Things to Do: Cities in Galápagos Islands
  1. Puerto Villamil Things to Do
  2. Isla Isabela Things to Do
  3. Puerto Ayora Things to Do
  4. Isla Santa Cruz Things to Do
  5. Isla Baltra Things to Do
  6. Isla Santa María Things to Do
  7. Isla Española Things to Do
  8. Isla San Salvador Things to Do
  9. Isla San Cristóbal Things to Do
  10. Puerto Velasco Ibarra Things to Do
  11. Isla Santa Fe Things to Do
  12. Isla Genovesa Things to Do
  13. Islas Plazas Things to Do
  14. San Cristóbal Things to Do

More Cities in Galápagos Islands

 

Questions and Answers

ticelis profile photo

Q:  We (2 p) are planning a trip to Galapagos islands in february 2012. I visited the islands in '82. I flew into Baltra and found... 

MalenaN profile photo

A: Many tourists visit Galapagos Islands independently. From Puerto Ayora there are daily speed boats to Puerto Villamil (Isla Isabela) and to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (Isla... 

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