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ABOUT THE GALAPAGOS

ABOUT THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS:

Charles Darwin called the Galapagos Islands "a separate center of creation." Herman Melvine described them as "the Enchanted Islands".

The Galapagos Archipelago is a cluster of some 15 volcanic islands and associated islets and rocks located just under the equator, about 600 miles (1000km) west of Ecuador in South America. The oldest of the islands are about 4 million years old and the youngest are still in the process of being formed. These Islands that we visit on our Galapagos cruises are considered to be one of the most active volcanic areas in the world.

About 95% of the islands are part of the Galapagos National Park system, with the remainder being inhabited by about 14,000 people in four major communities (Puerto Ayora, Puerto Baquerizo, Puerto Villamil and Floreana). The Galapagos National Park Service and the Charles Darwin Research Station jointly operate the islands. The Park Service provides rangers and guides, and is responsible for overseeing the many tourists who visit each year. The Darwin Station conducts scientific research and conservation programs. It is currently breeding and releasing captive tortoises and iguanas.

This group of 15 major islands and dozens of smaller islets and rocks - all the result of volcanic activity - certainly appear to be out of this world. They are, in fact, an unpredicted wilderness, filled with extraordinary populations of unique species, which have developed apart from humans and their dominating influence. In a effort to preserve the islands as they were centuries ago, the Galapagos have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Today the Galapagos remain a living laboratory of evolution where animals and birds have no fear of man.

Since their discovery in 1535 by Frey Tomas de Berlanga, a bishop aboard an off-course Spanish ship, the Galapagos were visited sporadically by pirates, whalers and fur seal hunters who found it a convenient place to replenish their food and water. In 1835 Charles Darwin, aboard the H.M.S. Beagle spent 35 days in the islands and formed his basis for the theory of evolution.

In 1959 the Ecuadorian government created the Galapagos National Park in order to preserve and protect this fascinating area for future generations. Because of these efforts, it is today one of the premier wildlife destinations on earth - abundant and varied wildlife in a protected atmosphere with ample ease and comfort. Difinitively the best of all possible scenarios.

Quick Facts:
Archipelago of volcanic islands located 605 miles west of the Ecuadorian Mainland
15 main islands, 3 smaller islands, 107 rocks & islets straddling the equator; islands in both hemispheres
3040 miles of land spread over 17,000 square miles of ocean
1959: 97.5% of land was made a national park
1978: declared by UNESCO A World Heritage Site
1985: Declared a Biosphere Reserve
1986: 27,000 square miles declared a Marine Reserve, 2nd only to the Great Barrier Reef
1990: Declared A Whale Sanctuary

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History of Galapagos & Charles Darwin
Compliments of Quasar Nautica

Galapagos Islands Facts: Discovery
• The Galapagos Islands were discovered in 1535 when father Tomas Berlanga, the bishop of Panama sailed to Peru to settle a dispute between Francisco Pizarro and his lieutenants after the conquest of the Incas.
• The bishop’s ship stalled strong currents carried him out to the Galapagos.
• His account of the adventure contained many facts about Galapagos: he described the harsh, desert-like condition of the islands, their trademark giant tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions and the many sea birds.

Galapagos Islands Facts: Pirates, Whalers and Tortoises
• Galapagos travel was rare and the islands were rarely visited. They became the refuge for pirates preying on on galleons and coastal towns.
• Drew whalers and sealers, with the promise of fur seals and the giant tortoises, which could be kept alive in the hold of ships for up to a year with no food or water. The tortoise populations were decimated, causing the extinction of several species and endangering the rest. Today, only a single male of the Pinta Island tortoise species survives, named “Lonesome George.”

Galapagos Islands Facts: Charles Darwin
• Darwin was the first person to make a scientific study of the islands in 1835.
• He was a young student just out of university and was the naturalist on a round-the-world scientific and geographical voyage on board HMS Beagle (1831 - 1836).
• In later life, Darwin maintained that the Islands and the facts about Galapagos he observed, particularly on Darwin Finches, were the source of all his ideas and research. Of all the visitors there, the Galapagos are today most closely associated with Darwin.

Galapagos Islands Facts: Today
• The Galapagos National Park Service and the Charles Darwin Research Station jointly operate the islands.
• The Park Service provides rangers and guides, and is responsible for overseeing the many tourists who visit each year.
• The Darwin Station conducts scientific research and conservation programs. It is currently breeding and releasing captive tortoises and iguanas.

Galapagos Islands Facts: World Heritage Site
In an effort to preserve the islands as they were centuries ago, the Galapagos have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

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The Galapagos National Park
Compliments of Quasar Nautica

Established in 1959, the Galapagos National Park is the oldest National Park in Ecuador. About 97% of the entire area of the Galapagos Islands are part of the National Park system and remain uninhabited. The other 3% of the Islands are the inhabited areas of Santa Cruz Island, San Cristobal Island, Isabela Island and Floreana Island.

In 1967, the first park service was created, but it took about 4 years for the Galapagos National Park to assign its first Superintendent and first set of park rangers as part of the National Park System. Today the Park has a complex management system and hundreds of Park Rangers.

In 1979, the Galapagos National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This meant that the Park’s management and staff were responsible for performing permanent conservation efforts and guarding the islands according to UNESCO’s standards and regulations. However, in 2007, as a result of the fast growing human development and poorly controlled immigration, tourism and trade, UNESCO added the Galapagos to its List of World Heritage Sites in Danger. Since 2007, strict measures were put in place by the Galapagos National Park to control tourism, immigration and the development of existing communities in Galapagos.

Since its existence, the Galapagos National park has developed a series of rules and regulations to protect the Islands and minimize the impact of tourists on the Islands. All tourists who visit the islands on a cruise, or who take daily tours out to the islands, must be accompanied by a Galapagos National Park certified guide on every visit.

In addition, the Galapagos National Park collects an entrance fee of $100 per person from all those who wish to visit the Galapagos Park and the Galapagos Marine Reserve either by staying at a hotel in the islands or by taking a Galapagos cruise.

The most important rules and regulations of the Galapagos National Park for visitors are the following:

• Always follow the marked trail and never leave it.
• Do not touch the animals.
• Do not take souvenirs from the islands.
• Do not get too close to animals.
• Do not litter.
• Do not smoke on the islands.
• Do not take food to the islands.
• Clean your shoes' soles before disembarking in the islands. You may have carried some seeds endemic to one island and would not want to introduce them to another.
• Always stay together with your group.

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Climate & Weather

WEATHER
The islands are located on the equator, and the seasons vary little during the course of the year. The "garua" (or cool, misty part of the year) occurs from May to December and a lightweight jacket may be necessary. The remainder of the year (January through April) is considered the "warm" season and is the wetter of the two seasons. While wildlife is pretty much active all year, certain birds have breeding seasons . If you have specific interests, inquire to make certain you travel in the right time of the year.

TEMPERATURES
	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
max temp	84	86	88	86	82	78	76	74	76	77	78	80
min temp	70	74	74	72	72	68	66	64	62	64	66	68
sea temp	74	76	76	76	74	74	72	66	68	70	72	74
rain inches	1	1	2	1.5	.75	.25	.50	.25	.50	.25	.50	.50

CLIMATE - compliments of Metropolitan Touring:
The Galapagos Islands climate, unlike other tropical places, has a very different and odd pattern. The unique mixture of relatively cool waters, tropical latitudes and islands with different altitudes produces an ever changing environment. These factors are the direct elements of natural selection that has resulted in flora and fauna found nowhere else on Earth. These unusual seasons support the not-so-tropical species like sea lions, fur sea lions, albatrosses, boobies, penguins, to name a few. The Galapagos visitor is always in awe at seeing an environment with such unique conditions. This is why, for the Galapagos visitor, the climate has a lot to do with the expectations, realities and enjoyment of a Galapagos experience.

HOT SEASON (warm-rainy) - From December through May
Air Temperature: Average air temperature in December is 25.4°C ( 77°F ), while in May is 26.8°C ( 80°F ). Peak month is March with 29.1°C ( 84°F ). Humidity fluctuates between 65% - 80%.

Water Temperature: Average surface water temperature in December is 23.2°C ( 74°F ), while in May is 24.5°C ( 76°F ). Peak month is March with 25.5°C (78°F). Visibility of the water ranges from 30 to 80 feet. In unusually warm years (like El Niño years) waters can even reach 29°C (84°F).

Precipitation (rainfall): ranges from 38 mm (December) to 62 mm (May), with its peak rainy at 87 mm (March).

Overall pattern: while this season is the one that gives rain to the islands, it should not be sold as the "rainy" season. Tropical showers are not too overwhelming, and a typical day may include a shower or two that will only last for an hour or so. There are times where for a whole week not a raindrop is experienced. The ocean is generally calm due to the absence of the south east trade winds.

Biological implications: all species which are land-based (like finches, mockingbirds, lizards, land iguanas, tortoises) will reproduce at this time of the year since there are plenty of food sources available: plants for insects, seeds for finches, flowers for iguanas, etc. Perhaps one of the few exceptions to this rule are the Great Frigatebirds on Tower Island which being seabirds reproduce during the hot season.

Snorkeling conditions: since the water temperature reaches the "true" tropical range, one can expect generally calm waters, virtually non strong currents, and high chances of visibility. Daily activities will be arranged in such a way that guests spend a great amount of time snorkeling as our way to add enjoyment to this marine resource. Most snorkeling times will be of no less than 90 minutes.

DRY SEASON (windy-dry) - From June through November
Air Temperature: Average air temperature in June is 25.2°C ( 77°F ), while in November is 24.4°C ( 76°F ). Peak month is September with 23.1°C ( 74°F ). Humidity fluctuates between 35% - 60%.

Water Temperature: Average surface water temperature in June is 23.3°C ( 74°F ), while in November is 22.8°C ( 73°F ). Peak month is September with 21.6°C (70°F) . Visibility of the water ranges from 15 to 50 feet. In unusually dry years (like La Niña years) waters can even reach 16°C (61°F).

Precipitation (rainfall): ranges only from 35 mm (June) to 13 mm (November), with its peak dry at 9.9 mm (September).

Overall pattern: this season is the one that gives the islands their totally untropical look: dry, windy, barren. Even though the term "cold" season is sometimes applied, remember that such term does not sell a destination that is geographically tropical. There's hardly any rain, but the islands may seem somewhat moist as an early mist called "garua" covers the sky. Usually this layer of fine drizzle burns off by mid morning. The seas are moderately strong; surge, choppy waters and some waves should be expected. This is all due to the active presence of the south east trade winds.

Biological implications: all species which are land-based, but depend entirely upon the ocean's productivity (food available, like plankton) will reproduce during this season. This includes blue-footed boobies, waved albatrosses, sea lions.

Snorkeling conditions: since the water temperature reaches the "untrue" tropical range, one can expect generally waters with some current, and a slight decrease in visibility due to the amount of plankton particles suspended in the water column. This is the snorkeling season where a shortie wet suit is more likely to provide higher comfort in the water.

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Park Fees & Regulations

GALAPAGOS PARK TAX
Either paid at the airport upon arrival, in US dollars and must be paid in cash - no travelers checks or credit cards
Or pre-paid in advance via tour operator of cruise ship.
This tax is $100 per adult ($50 per child under 10).

GALAPAGOS TRANSIT CARD
A USD $20 Immigration Control Card (Transit Card) is required as authorities have implemented a system for controlling immigration to the Islands. There are about five thousand illegal immigrants living permanently on the islands and the number continues to rise each year. All visitors that travel to Galapagos are  required to buy a USD 10 transit control card (Tarjeta de Control de Tránsito) TCT. The ID card will hold the general information of the traveler, a chip, and a bar code. The value of the card is in addition to the USD 100 fee for entrance to the Galapagos National Park.

RULES AND REGULATIONS
The specific rules and regulations set forth by the National Park Service will be explained in detail by your ship's staff and will be strictly enforced. In general, you are not allowed to wander freely - you must stay on the marked trails. It you encounter wildlife on the trail, you are allowed to move to the side to pass. You are not allowed to harass or feed the animals, take anything from the islands nor leave anything behind. If you disobey the naturalist guides, you can be restricted to the ship. Your cooperation in following the rules and regulations will assure generations to come of the same exquisite wildlife experience you will have.

WHO REGULATES THE CONSERVATION ON THE ISLANDS?
In 1959 the Ecuadorian government declared 97% of the total land area of the Islands as a National Park and in 1961 the Darwin Station was established. The Park Service and the Darwin Station have been working together for more than thirty years for the protection and management of recreation and tourism.

The Galapagos National Park is responsible for conservation projects including the protection of endangered populations of native animals, the eradication and control of introduced species and the management of recreation and tourism.

The Charles Darwin Research Station is an international, non-profit organization which acts in a scientific capacity for the Park Service and conducts conservation-oriented research and training of the Naturalist tour guides.

HOW CAN I CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE PRESERVATION OF THE ISLANDS?
Funding of the Darwin Station depends on International Conservation organizations and concerned private donors. The Charles Darwin Foundation is committed to preserving the unique plant and animal species providing scientific and technical support to the government in an effort to preserve the islands' fragile ecosystems.

Financial assistance is critical to pay for equipment, field work, guide training, local environmental education and other related activities. You can help with a tax deductible donation to the Charles Darwin Foundation:

Charles Darwin Foundation Inc
100 N Washington St #232
Falls Church, VA 22046

With a donation of $25 or more you will become a "Friend of Galapagos" and receive the Galapagos Bulletin and bi-annual publication of "Noticias", the station's technical journal. Friends are invited to seminars and other informal gatherings to hear more about research and conservation programs.

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Suggested Reading List

Guides
  A Field Guide to the Birds of Galápagos, by Michel Harris
  A Field Guide to the Fishes of Galápagos, by Godfrey Merlen
  A Guide to the birds of the Galápagos Islands, by Isabel Castro and Antonia Phillips
  Flowering Plants of the Galápagos, by Dr. Conley K. McMullen
  Galapagos Wildlife, a Visitor's Guide. David Howell & Pete Oxford
  Lonely Planet Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands, by Rob Rachowiecki (Lonely Planet Publications)
  Marine Life of the Galápagos, by Pierre Constant
  Reef Fish Identification, by Paul Humann
  Subtidal Galápagos, by James Cribb

Photography
  Galápagos, Islands Lost in Time, by Tui de Roy
  Preparing for your trip to the Galápagos Islands & Ecuador: Updated: June 27, 2006
  Galápagos, A Terrestrial and Marine Phenomenon, by Paul Humann
  Galápagos, Discovery on Darwin's Islands, by Steadman and Zousmer
  Galápagos, Back to Nature, by Steve Lu
  Galápagos, by Nathan Farb

Other Recommendations
  The Voyage of the Beagle, by Charles Darwin
  Charles Darwin, A Biography, by Janet Browne
  Floreana, by Margaret Wittmer
  The Beak of the Finch, by Jonathan Weiner
  The Encantadas, by Herman Melville
  The Galápagos Affair, by John Treherne
  My Father's Islands, A Galápagos Quest, by Johanna Angermeyer