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Why Galapagos is Different from other Beach Destinations
Birds that migrate to the Galapagos Islands
November 12, 2022Trying to decide between a trip to the Galapagos Islands or a vacation to a beach destination? The Galapagos Islands are so much more than a regular beach destination. While you could go to the Galapagos archipelago and lie on the beach all day, there are plenty of reasons why you probably wouldn’t. Here’s why you should treat a trip to the Galapagos Islands very differently to a visit to other beach destinations worldwide:
Endemic Wildlife
One of the main reasons that the Galapagos Islands are much more than a beach destination is due to the tremendous array of endemic wildlife that can be found in this area. Due to the relative geographical isolation of the islands, many of the birds and animals that make the archipelago their home are simply not found anywhere else. From the Galapagos penguin to the flightless cormorant, to the marine iguana which is the only lizard species that is marine-living anywhere globally, there is so much variety of wildlife to see here. It would be a great shame to not spend time seeing it and only spend time on the beach. What’s more, there’s no place in the world that has the marine life that the Galapagos Islands does. In the ocean waters surrounding the islands, 20% of the life is endemic.
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Outstanding Experiences
One of the most surprising things about the Galapagos Islands for most visitors is the fact that the wildlife there has no fear of humans. This means that the wildlife that lives in the islands is largely curious and friendly. Animals here will carry on with their day-to-day business while you visit and will generally be unafraid. What this means for you as a visitor is amazing experiences with wildlife that you do not get elsewhere in the world. It also means superb photography because the creatures are very up-close and do not run away. One such experience that you may enjoy is sea lions playing with you while you snorkel in the sea off the beaches here. On other trips you may get to kayak in shallow waters around the islands, observing the wildlife in the water up close and personal. And those are just some of the fun activities you can do. There are also plenty of opportunities for wildlife walks, and volcano hiking may appeal to some too!
A Learning Opportunity
The Galapagos Islands are a beach destination where you will learn something new every single day of your trip. Whether it is something about an endemic animal or bird or a fact about the fascinating geology of the islands, there is always something new to learn here. You’ll literally be following in Darwin’s footsteps as you explore the magic of the Galapagos Islands, learning about how the great man developed his theory of the evolution of species.
Any Time is Great to Visit
One of the amazing things about visiting the Galapagos Islands rather than a typical beach destination is that pretty much any time of year is great for a visit. While beach destinations that are focused solely on a beach holiday tend to have good and bad seasons for a visit, there are advantages in traveling to the Galapagos Islands at pretty much any time of the year. While the seas are cooler in some months, but that also brings a greater diversity of wildlife to the islands. Every season has its distinct advantages for a trip to the archipelago.
A Note on Accessibility
The Galapagos Islands are a protected national park. The main priority for the Ecuadorian government is the conservation of the park and protection of the unique ecosystems found there. What this means is that unlike in other parts of the world, you cannot simply go to any beach and lie in the sunshine all day. It is not permitted to visit some beaches, and other beaches are only visited with guides. These guides are qualified and certified through the Galapagos National Park authority and are highly specialized. For that reason, you cannot go to the Galapagos with a regular guide and expect to visit any beach of your choosing. In addition, very few of the islands are inhabited by humans, so going anywhere is neither possible nor practical. What this does mean is that the islands’ beaches are completely pristine, unspoiled, and an absolute delight to visit. The other great benefit is that you won’t be exploring the islands with hundreds of other people all at the same time, as island visits are carefully scheduled specifically to avoid this.
Ecuador and Galapagos Insiders are experts in travel to the Galapagos Islands. We can find you the best cruise or land-based Galapagos trip that is ideally suited to your needs. Why not get in touch to see how we can help you plan your most exciting vacation yet?
