WHAT
TO DO:
BIRD
WATCHING:
The islands are a bird watcher's dream -- especially if you're set on
seeing and identifying all 13 Darwin Finches (endemic to the islands),
the waved Albatross, the flightless Cormorant and countless other jewels
of the islands. Bring your highest magnifying binoculars and best camera
lenses.
SEA
KAYAKING:
What better way to get up close and personal to Blue Footed Boobies,
sea lions and more than with a sea kayak? Rent them from The Red Mangrove
Inn -- and they'll even be able to find a guide for you!
SCUBA
DIVING:
Listed as one of the top diving spots in the world, diving in The Galapagos
is a dream come true. Whale Sharks, White Tips, Hammerheads, Garden
Eels, Sea Lions, whales, schools of colorful fish, corals, and crystal
clear water characterize a typical day diving in the islands. Go with
the best -- Scuba Iguana will send you with top divers to the best diving
spots around the islands. For more advanced divers, Scuba Iguana also
does charters to Darwin and Wolf (there you'll dive to great depths
to see the most mystifying animals of the oceans!)
SNORKELING:
For those of you not ready to emerge themselves 30 meters in the sea,
snorkeling in the islands is amazing. You'll see everything from sharks
and turtles to penguins and boobies flopping around the water. You can
spend hours in the water enjoying the show!
HIKING:
Few to no places are open to free hiking, though you can find a few
trails on San Cristobol and SANTA CRUZ. We recommend, though, for all
hikes, to go with a guide. The guides can point out the fascinating
details of the islands, turning a beautiful hike into an encylopedic
experience. Take good walking shoes, lots of water, and don't wander
off! It's easier to get lost on these islands than you think.
SURFING:
It's not common, but it can be done. Ask around, and you'll be sure
to find somebody to take you out surfing or body boarding.
BEACH:
If you want to just relax and go to the beach, try out Turtle Bay on
SANTA CRUZ island. There are few places a tourist can go on his own,
and this is one. The beach is magnificent -- it has fine,white sand.
It's terrible for snorkeling because of the wind and waves, but it's
great for surfing, body boarding, and catching rays.
NIGHT
LIFE:
A few of the islands, SANTA CRUZ in particular, have many clubs to cater
to the tourist. There you can get an icey (though pricey) beer and enjoy
the island atmosphere after an 8 day boat tour. For poetry, live music,
and an enchanted evening, we highly recommend Casa del Lago. The owner,
Elena, is an artist of exceptional taste and invites the most talented
musicians, artists, poets, singers, and orators to share their art in
her outdoor pub.
Islas
Galapagos (Spanish)
Islands
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