The Galapagos Islands, located 1,000 kilometres off the coast of Ecuador, remain, in large part, as Darwin would have experienced them more than a century and a half ago. They are the last true Garden of Eden. Many of the archipelago’s animals, such as the amazing marine iguana that grazes on seaweed, are found nowhere else on the planet. Due to the islands’ isolation, the giant tortoise, for example, has evolved into 14 distinct forms. The small, brownish finches that famously inspired Darwin, have adapted to a range of different foods, resulting in 13 distinct species. Here you encounter the only cormorant that lost its will to fly, and a pocket-size penguin, preening in the tropics. Endemism is par for the course on the Galapagos.
The plant life of the archipelago is equally intriguing. It boasts its very own species of pepper, cotton, guava, and tomato. Members of the daisy family have evolved into whole arrays of species on different islands. In the highlands, one encounters endemic scalesia trees, bromeliads, tree ferns and orchids. The marine world of the Galápagos Marine Reserve is also justly famous, with mesmerizing schools of colourful fish, pods of dolphins, sharks, rays, sealions and penguins all delighting snorkelers and scuba divers alike.
The islands’ diverse and unique natural world, which Darwin described as “a little world within itself,” would be reason enough to pay them a visit. But there’s more, much more: the animals are virtually devoid of fear. Finches will eat from the palm of your hand; mockingbirds will land on your head; iguanas will run between your feet.
The Galapagos archipelago is larger than most people imagine. The marine reserve that protects its waters extends over an area of 133,000 square kilometres (51,351 sq. miles). On a week-long cruise, one sails many hundreds of miles before returning to port – even four-day tours cover large distances. Boats follow a set route, determined by the national park authorities. They sail between the islands, stopping at a dozen or so of the 60 designated visitor sites, including some where Darwin visited all those years ago.