12. Galapagos Island

Galapagos Island, Ecuador

The Galapagos Islands are a small archipelago of islands belonging to Ecuador in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The islands are quite remote and isolated and there are lying some 1000 km  west of the South American continent. The Galapagos archipelago consists of 13 main islands and 6 smaller isles, which together embrace some 50,000 sq km of ocean. The water around of these island is clean and fresh, its suitable for the sea animal to live. At there, you can see the nature blue sea and also feeling the fresh air around the Galapagos Islands.

The Galapagos archipelago is world-renowned for its unique and fearless wildlife. At Galapagos Islands, you can expect to see giant tortoises, sea lions, penguins, marine iguanas and different bird species. The landscape of the islands is relatively barren and volcanic, but it is beautiful so much. 

The Galapagos Islands have a highly variable climate as Ecuador's mainland. There are two seasons in the islands whiich are hot season and rainy season. The hot season is starting from December to June, when humidity is high and average temperatures are in the 26°C-30° C. There may be occasional showers, but the days are generally warm and sunny. Besides that, the rainy season is starting from June to November, you can expect cool winds. Temperatures average in the 20°C-24° C during the day and lower at night.

Each month brings unique climate variations and wildlife viewing opportunities. Peak season for naturalist tours is typically December through May when the seas are the calmest and the weather the warmest. However summer months June, July and August are also very popular as the animals are more active. September through November is typically low season when most boats will leave the islands for dry dock.In different season, you can see the different animal around island or sea. For example, during rainy season, the whale sharks can be founded easier.

Activities

1. Snorkeling & Scuba Diving

Snorkelling and diving are very popular activities as the sea life is so rich and colourful. Galapagos is a world-class destination for scuba divers because of the abundance of sharks, sea lions, fur seals, marine turtles, rays, mantas, marine iguanas, and reef fishes. If you plan to dive on your trip, check with your tour operator to make sure the agent is authorized to offer this activity.

Snorkelling equipment should be available from your tour operator. You may also want to bring a waterproof camera. Remember to wear at least a T-shirt and suntan lotion if you are snorkelling, as it's all too easy to get sunburnt in the strong sun. Snorkelling offers a way to be in the water with fish, sea turtles, sea lions, and other creatures and is a great option for those who don't have scuba certification. Wetsuits can be rented at the same locations as snorkelling equipment.

Diving in the Galapagos is incredible because you can see the most beautiful environment in the world and diving in Galapagos have been ranked as the best dive destination in the world for several years in the categories of healthiest marine environment. This is because there have the best big animal dive and best advanced diving. 

The traveller who is diving In Galapagos Island can be has an amazing opportunities to see huge schools of hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, Silky sharks and whale sharks in season (July-Nov). In addition to other pelagic life like giant mantas, eagle rays, sting rays, huge schools of jack and tuna, sea turtles, sea lions and more.

2. Hiking

Hiking is often included as part of organized cruises or tours of the highlands. Although you will often see fewer animals during these tours, you will often gain a greater understanding of the difference in terrain and vegetation as well as the formation of the islands. Hiking is restricted in all National Park land.

3. Surfing

The Galapagos provides some good waves and many locals make it a daily activity. Boards can be rented by the day or month at port towns.

How to get In

Visiting the Galapagos is not cheap, owing to travel restrictions and the remote nature of the archipelago. The only way to get in the islands from the main land is by plane from Guayaquil or Quito airports. Flights travel to the Galapagos in the morning and return in the afternoon, typically requiring a forced overnight on the continent in each direction.

Now I will give some steps that can help the traveller procedure their flight easier in Quito airport. Step by step procedures at Quito airport

Note: Now that flights are leaving from the new Quito airport at Tarbabela, this section need some updating. You still need to follow the sequence described below but finding the counters is another matter. The airport is poorly signed. Advise asking as soon as you get there.

Procedure for flying from Quito airport to Galapagos.

1. Begin at the domestic ("national") terminal.

2. Before going through the main door, look for a smaller door to the right. Note: If you go through the main door you will see a large sign overhead saying that the first thing you do is go to the ticket counter. Don't believe that sign.

3. Go through the smaller door and have your bags checked for banned agricultural products. The exit to the agricultural inspection will put you inside the terminal.

4. Go immediately to your right to yet another small door. Here you will pay a $10 fee and get a "visa" for Galapagos. There is a separate $100 park entrance fee to pay when you land in Galapagos. Make sure you have cash for that as they will not accept Visa.

5. Now you proceed to the ticket counter and do the typical ticket counter things.

6. Then go through security opposite the ticket counter. They are only looking for metal. So you don't need to take off your shoes (unless they contain metal), remove your computer from your bag, or empty your water bottle.

7. You will then proceed to a large open room with four gates. The intercom doesn't work well and is in Spanish. And flights can depart without much notice. So double check your gate and keep a steady eye out for your.

I hope these steps can be helpful to every travellers who will planning to Galapagos Island.

Before you go to Galapagos Island, you need find the information and prepare enough. Below is show the Galapagos Cruise preparation Timeline.

Opinion:
Galapagos Island is a beautiful island and good for travelling. The ways to get there is hard so i list the ways and steps that take flight to Galapagos Island. Hope every traveller can follow these steps.