Why is Galápagos unique?

A cold current from the south meets a warm equatorial current, fire meets sea, and isolation 600 miles offshore did the rest. Nothing here resembles anywhere else on Earth.

What wildlife will I see?

Giant tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, waved albatrosses, flightless cormorants, penguins, rays, and reef sharks — many found nowhere else.

Explorar las islas Galápagos — Un laboratorio vivo

The Archipelago

Isolation Built This Place

600 miles (1,000 km) offshore, three ocean currents collide here. Isolation did the rest.

Galápagos giant tortoise with neck extended

Where Darwin Found His Answer

Finches shaped by island. Tortoises shaped by volcanoes. The evidence for evolution, still alive.

Volcanic cliffs and Pinnacle Rock at Bartolomé

Every Island, Its Own World

Lava field to misty highlands, a short sail apart. No two landings look alike.

A Living Marine Reserve

One of the richest marine environments on Earth. Sharks, rays, and turtles share the water you'll swim in.

The Wildlife

Giant Tortoises

Distinct by island, distinct by volcano. Some live more than a century.

Marine Iguanas

The only lizard on Earth that forages the sea.

Galápagos Sea Lions

Curious, quick and unbothered by people.

Blue-Footed Boobies

Males court with a high-stepping strut built to show off their feet. The bluer the feet, the better their chances.

Waved Albatrosses

In season, they gather on Española for what is essentially their only breeding site on Earth.

Galápagos Land Iguanas

Yellow-orange and armored, found basking near cactus stands on a handful of islands.

Flightless Cormorants

The only cormorant on Earth that can't fly — found nowhere but the shores of Fernandina and Isabela.

Galápagos penguin in cold upwelling water

Galápagos Penguins

The only penguins found north of the equator, drawn by the archipelago's cooler currents. Small, fast, and a thrill to spot from the Zodiac or while snorkeling.

Giant Manta

The largest ray on Earth, up to 23 feet (7 meters) across. Rare, and never forgotten.

WHITE-TIPPED REEF SHARKS

They rest motionless in volcanic crevices and under rocky ledges,a common and calm sight while snorkeling, and not aggressive toward people.

Galápagos Islands

A Living Laboratory, Still Running

The Archipelago

Isolation Built This Place

Where Darwin Found His Answer

Every Island, Its Own World

A Living Marine Reserve

The Expedition of a
Lifetime