“Experiencing the Galapagos and seeing firsthand the landscapes and wildlife we have read about for decades—just as Darwin described them—was truly life-changing.”
—Nat Hab Traveler Ken B., Galapagos Discovery: The Nat Hab Experience
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THE ENCHANTED ISLES
There may be no nature destination on Earth as unique as the Galapagos. Located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the volcanic islands rise from the Pacific like the shells of so many giant tortoises—a species found only here, and from which the islands get their name.
The Galapagos Islands are home to an array of endemic wildlife found nowhere else on the planet, most of which show no fear of humans! Giant tortoises lumber across highland meadows, blue-footed boobies flaunt their quirky courtship dance, and marine iguanas slip beneath the surf like ancient sea dragons. In the water, playful sea lions dart between snorkelers while Galapagos penguins and sea turtles glide by.
Made famous by explorer and naturalist Charles Darwin in 1835, the Galapagos is a biological wonder. The extreme isolation allowed both plants and animals to evolve without outside influence, and the differing environments of each island—ranging from arid lava fields to lushly forested highlands—led to measurable adaptations among species, which played a pivotal role in shaping Darwin’s insights on natural selection. A journey to these “Enchanted Isles” immerses travelers in one of Earth’s most extraordinary natural realms, where evolution unfolds before your eyes and wild creatures welcome you into their world.
When you explore the Galapagos with Nat Hab, you’ll find a journey unmatched in depth, privacy and expertise. Call 800-543-8917 or visit nathab.com/galapagos to discover the Enchanted Isles.
G Ciampini
GALAPAGOS GEOGRAPHY & HISTORY
Straddling the equator in the Pacific Ocean, the Galapagos Islands are a living laboratory of fire and life. Born from volcanic forces, this remote archipelago blends stark lava fields, misty highlands, turquoise waters and sandy shores—an ever-changing landscape that sparked Darwin’s imagination and continues to lure modern explorers.
VOLCANIC CREATION
The geologically young volcanic Galapagos Islands first began erupting above the surface of the Pacific Ocean about 3 to 5 million years ago, and the archipelago’s volcanoes are still active today. However, like those in Hawaii, volcanoes in the Galapagos experience mild eruptions instead of powerful explosions.
What causes this volcanic activity? The islands sit on top of the Nazca Plate, close to its junction with the Cocos Plate. The plates shift along the Galapagos Rift and the East Pacific Rise, which causes the islands to move south and east at
a rate of more than 2 inches per year. Because of this, the eastern islands are significantly older than the western islands, with striking contrasts in landscapes and wildlife. Isabela and Fernandina, the youngest Islands, formed less than 1 million years ago and still experience high levels of volcanic activity. Molten material constantly oozes up to the surface and forms large lava flows and—as a result—new land. Older islands like San Cristobal and Espanola formed 2.4 million and 3.2 million years ago. Here, richer soils support a greater diversity of lush plant life and animals.
“There is no other place on Earth like the Galapagos. At times the raw beauty and intimate contact with nature were almost overwhelming.”
The Galapagos Islands don’t just sit at the junction of two tectonic plates—they also lie at the intersection of multiple ocean currents, both cold and warm. It’s this positioning that allows so much life to thrive here. The biggest driver of biodiversity is the Humboldt Current, also called the Peru Current. This cold-water current flows up the coast of South America from Antarctica, bringing with it a staggering amount of nutrients.
The Humboldt Current joins the warmer South Equatorial Current that flows directly west along the equator. These combined currents then slam directly into the Galapagos Islands. The Humboldt’s cooling effect helps create the archipelago’s relatively mild climate compared to other equatorial destinations.
Around November, the warm Panama Current arrives from the northeast. Although not as nutrient-rich as the Humboldt Current, it brings with it most of the limited rain that reaches these arid islands.
Finally, the Cromwell Current, also known as the Pacific Equatorial Undercurrent, flows from west to east, following the equator around 300 feet below the surface. When it crashes into the Galapagos islands, this cold current pushes decomposed organic matter to the surface, where phytoplankton—the base of the food chain—use it as fuel for the region’s explosive bounty of life.
OCEAN CURRENTS
Pacific Ocean
Warm Cold HUMBOLDT CURRENT
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Caribbean Sea SOUTH EQUATORIAL CURRENT PANAMA CURRENT
The Galapagos Islands are among the few areas in the world that don’t have an Indigenous population. The first recorded discovery of the Galapagos occurred relatively recently, when Fray Tomás de Berlanga, the bishop of Panama, stumbled upon the islands while sailing to Peru in 1535. His reflections on the accidental discovery included the first recorded descriptions of the Galapagos’ giant tortoises and iguanas.
In 1570, mapmaker Abraham Ortelius plotted the islands, calling them Isla de los Galapagos—Islands of the Tortoises— based on sailors’ descriptions of the giant tortoises inhabiting the islands. By the 17th century, the islands had become a popular hideout for British buccaneers. These pirates, as well as British whalers, used the islands as a stopping-off point to restock water and tortoise meat before the next leg of their voyage.
A century later, in 1684, buccaneer Ambrose Cowley made the first crude navigation charts of the islands. As a result, many of the islands were named after Cowley’s fellow pirates or the English noblemen who financially supported them. Buccaneer Cove, in Santiago, was a favorite anchorage of these sailors. Here, they could find water, salt, firewood and tortoises, which they ate.
Image
Image (top): 1570 Americae Sive Novi Orbis, Nova Descriptio by Abraham Ortelius. Credit:David Rumsey Map Collection, David Rumsey Map Center, Stanford Libraries
credit (bottom): G. Mützel, Public domain, Via Wikimedia Commons
The Whaling Era
The islands, which were still uninhabited and shrouded in mystery, soon came to be known as the “Enchanted Isles,” as the area’s strong currents and shifting winds often obscured the land masses in thick fog. This made navigation difficult, with the islands seeming to vanish and reappear. In the early 17th century, some Spaniards even claimed the Galapagos Islands weren’t islands at all, but mere shadows. However, by the 18th century, British whalers and sealers visited the islands regularly, laying to rest any theory that they were mythical.
In 1793, English Captain James Colnett created more accurate navigational charts to aid in whaling, an industry that decimated the region’s whale populations over the next 100 years. Simultaneously, sealers hunted the islands’ fur seals nearly to extinction for their valuable pelts, which were highly prized for making coats, hats and other garments. Whalers and sealers also greatly diminished— and in some cases eliminated— certain species of tortoise, which they killed for their meat.
San Cristobal island, Galapagos. Created by De Berard after King, published on Le Tour du Monde, Paris, 1860
Getting Settled
Traffic to and from the islands was so heavy that in 1800, a makeshift post office, consisting of little more than a marked barrel, was erected on Floreana Island. The post office still exists, and today, tourists can leave postcards for future visitors to the islands to take back with them to their home countries and, ideally, deliver by hand, as the missives carry no postage.
The first known human to call the islands home was Patrick Watkins—an Irish crewmember of a British ship, who, for unknown reasons, was put ashore at Floreana in 1807. Accounts of how long he stayed there and how he departed vary, but he eventually left for Ecuador.
It wasn’t until 1832, when the Galapagos Islands were annexed as a territory of Ecuador, that
a formal settlement was established. These early colonists set up small farms on Floreana and Santa Cruz, growing their own food and supplying vegetables to whaling ships. By 1959, roughly 2,000 people had moved to the islands, mostly from Ecuador—a number that has steadily increased. Now, there are over 33,000 inhabitants on the islands, occupying about 3% of the total land.
In 1892, the Ecuadorian government changed the official name of the islands to Archipelago de Colon to honor Christopher Columbus’s “discovery” of the Americas 400 years earlier. This is still the official name, though the rest of the world uses the name Galapagos, coined by cartographer Abraham Ortelius.
In 1934, the archipelago was declared a wildlife sanctuary, but it wasn’t until 1959 that Ecuador set aside 97% of the land as a national park. The archipelago is still administered by the Ecuadorian National Park Service.
Since the establishment of the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island in 1964, the islands have become a site of increased scientific study and tourism. In 1978, UNESCO underscored the archipelago’s universal value and declared the Galapagos a World Heritage Site. So strong is the desire to preserve the area’s local culture that, by law, guides in the Galapagos must be Ecuadorian citizens and permanent residents of the islands.
Despite significant conservation efforts, the Galapagos faces significant environmental challenges, including invasive species, domestic pets that kill or drive away native birds and reptiles, and rats and insects from ships that have infested many areas. Conservation travel plays a vital role in protecting this fragile environment by directly supporting preservation initiatives, educating visitors about the delicate balance of island ecosystems, and empowering local communities to take the lead in safeguarding the islands’ natural heritage.
Because the islands are so remote—and largely unpopulated—animals in the Galapagos have no natural fear of humans and are extremely tolerant of our presence. This makes the archipelago an ideal destination for wildlife lovers interested in experiencing up-close encounters with the area’s unique and largely endemic animals.
The Galapagos Islands were never connected to the mainland, so the ancestors of every plant and animal species arrived here from somewhere else. Galapagos sea lions came from North America, and Darwin’s finches from the Caribbean. Land iguanas, giant tortoises, pelicans, cormorants and boobies all arrived from South America. And Galapagos fur seals (which are actually sea lions, but we’ll get to that later) and penguins came north from Antarctica thousands of years ago, riding the Humboldt Current.
Many types of animals never found their way to the Galapagos. For instance, there are few
amphibians and no large native land mammals. This left a niche open for giant tortoises—these huge reptiles became the largest grazing herbivores on the archipelago, a position they enjoyed until the relatively recent arrival of humans with domestic livestock.
From turtles and tortoises to finches and frigatebirds, check out our full Galapagos Wildlife Guide.
Known (and named!) for their bright blue feet and matching bluish beaks, blue-footed boobies are perhaps the most beloved of all Galapagos birds. Although they can be found along the western coasts of Central and South America, half of all breeding pairs live in the Galapagos Islands. Keep an eye out for their chuckleinducing courtship displays, during which the male booby picks up his feet and struts in front of a female in a slow, dignified manner. They also bow, spread their wings and point their necks, heads and bills toward the sky.
Darwin’s Finches
Named for their role in naturalist and explorer Charles Darwin’s theories on evolution, Darwin’s finches are inextricably linked to the history of the Galapagos. Fascinated with the diversity he found among the 13 endemic species and the speed with which they evolved from a common ancestor to adapt to the varied food available on individual islands, Darwin discovered that these adaptations mainly showed up in the shape and size of beaks.
Standing only 20 inches tall and weighing just 5.5 pounds, the Galapagos penguin— the most northerly penguin in the world—is a favorite among travelers. They usually bond with one partner for life, preening each other and tapping bills to reinforce their partnership. Their diet consists primarily of sardines, anchovies and mullet. Although clumsy on land, these flightless birds are extremely skilled and swift under water, which becomes apparent when snorkeling with them. Just don’t bother trying to keep up, as they’re amazingly fast swimmers
Waved Albatross
The waved albatross is the largest bird in the Galapagos, weighing up to 11 pounds and averaging 3 feet in length with a wingspan of 8 feet. This pelagic bird can spend years at sea, rarely flapping its wings unless calm conditions warrant the effort. In fact, it only comes ashore to breed. Some studies suggest that they may even sleep while gliding through the air, using a form of unihemispheric slow-wave sleep in which one half of the brain rests while the other half remains alert. At sea, they feed on squid, fish and crustaceans, usually on the ocean’s surface. On land, they primarily scavenge food discarded by other animals. The waved albatross executes an impeccably arranged 20-minute mating “dance” that involves bowing, bill circling, swaying and freezing, honking, bill clicking and whistling.
With the largest wingspan-to-weight ratio of any bird in the world, it’s no wonder frigatebirds are fantastic fliers. Their long scimitar wings and pronged tails allow them to hang in the wind, maintaining a fixed position in the sky from which they harass terns and gulls, hoping they’ll drop their catch. Frigatebirds don’t secrete ample oil to make their feathers waterproof, so they are unable to dive into the ocean for prey, but they can snatch fish off the water’s surface with their hooked beaks. During mating season, females fly in low circles over the rookery to look for potential mates, and males respond by inflating the bright red gular pouches beneath their necks.
Found only in the archipelago and on Isla de la Plata about 25 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos sea lion is the most common native mammal in the Enchanted Isles. The smallest sea lions on the planet, males (bulls) weigh about 550 pounds on average, and females around 200–250 pounds. Although bulls can exhibit aggressive behavior, females and pups are often amiable and playful, and they will sometimes swim and dart alongside snorkelers. Galapagos sea lions rarely venture more than a few miles away from shore to avoid predation by sharks and whales. You’re likely to spot these adorable marine mammals sunning themselves on the islands’ beaches.
Galapagos Fur Seal
Don’t let the name fool you: Galapagos fur seals are actually another type of sea lion! Although their flippers are longer than the sea lions’, Galapagos fur seals are significantly smaller overall, with males weighing about 140 pounds and females around 60 pounds. Compared to sea lions, fur seals’ faces are shorter, their ears more prominent, and their fur is much longer and thicker. Galapagos fur seals are also less gregarious than sea lions, preferring to rest in the shade or even hide out in cool caves during the heat of the day.
Although not native to the Galapagos, the bottlenose dolphin is a frequent visitor to the islands and the most commonly seen cetacean in the region.
They have short beaks and curved dorsal fins, and their backs and sides are dark gray or black, with paler skin underneath. They often travel in large pods and sometimes ride the bow waves of ships and yachts.
If you spot them at night, the swimming dolphins cause the ocean to shimmer with bioluminescence as they churn up thousands of miniscule phosphorescent organisms that glow when disturbed.
Orcas, also called killer whales, are the largest members of the dolphin family. Weighing up to 11 tons, orcas are large and robust, with a blunt head and reduced beak. They are easily identified by their shiny black bodies, with white areas on the belly, flank and behind the eye. Intelligent and boasting incredible social organization, orcas hunt dolphins, fur seals, sea lions, penguins and even other whales.
The humpback whale belongs to the baleen whale family that includes blue, fin, minke, sei and Bryde’s whales. Females are larger than males, measuring 45 to 50 feet in length and weighing up to 45 tons. The humpback is perhaps the easiest whale to identify—and one of the most fun to watch. Their darkblue or black bodies are covered in barnacles, and they like to “spy hop” by raising their heads out of the water to look around. They also breach frequently.
Bryde’s (pronounced “broodus”) whales are the most seen baleen whales in the archipelago. They can weigh up to 44 tons and can be identified by their blue-gray backs, pointed, crescent-shaped dorsal fins and narrow spouts— the cloud from which can reach up to 13 feet high!
Sperm Whale
The sperm whale is the largest of the toothed whales and the world’s largest carnivore, weighing up to 45 tons. It has an enormous square head and steel-gray corrugated skin that is often covered with big circular scars—souvenirs from tangling with its favorite food source, the giant squid. During the 1800s, sperm whales were hunted to the brink of extinction because of the demand for whale oil. Although commercial whaling of sperm whales is now banned, their numbers have been slow to recover.
Blue Whale
Blue whales can reach nearly 100 feet in length and weigh close to 200 tons (or about the weight of 35 elephants), making them the largest animal in existence and the heaviest animal to ever have lived. These baleen whales are regular visitors to the Galapagos, though their low population numbers and preference for deep water make sightings rare. They can be identified by their huge tails, which can be up to 25 feet wide, their mottled blue-gray color, and their relatively small dorsal fins.
REPTILES
Giant Tortoise
Giant tortoises are found only in the Galapagos and live primarily on the larger, higher-elevation islands (including Santa Cruz, where we encounter them at Nat Hab’s private Tortoise Camp) where there is plenty of vegetation and fresh water. There are 14 subspecies (three now extinct), each in some way distinctive to the particular island it calls home. For instance, saddleback tortoises tend to live in arid zones and feed mostly on cactus, while domed-shell tortoises feed primarily on grass, so they inhabit more vegetated islands. Famed for their longevity, giant tortoises typically live 100 to 150 years, though some have been known to live well over 170 years!
The migratory Pacific green sea turtle breeds and lays eggs in the Galapagos, but it’s not endemic to the islands. These turtles arrived naturally over thousands of years by drifting and swimming across ocean currents from the eastern Pacific. They are called “green” because of the color of their flesh, while their shells can be olive, brown or black. The Pacific green sea turtle is one of the largest turtle species, weighing up to 450 pounds. Newly hatched sea turtles instinctively move toward the ocean, drawn by the moonlight reflecting off the water’s surface. Unfortunately, other light sources can disorient them, drawing them away from the water and into danger—toward houses or well-lit streets. Consequently, the uninhabited islands of the Galapagos provide a relatively safe environment for hatchlings.
Endemic to the Galapagos, marine iguanas live in colonies on the rocky shores of most of the Enchanted Isles. The only seagoing lizards in the world, their diet consists primarily of algae and seaweed. While feeding underwater, they ingest a lot of seawater, which contains high levels of salt. Their bodies filter out the salt through specialized glands located near their nostrils, then they force it out by sneezing or snorting, often leaving a visible crust of salt on their faces. Males can grow to about 4.5 feet in length and weigh a little over 3 pounds, while females are around 3 feet long and weigh about 1 pound. Their skin is blackish, which can change to coppery greens and reds in males during breeding season, and a row of spines covers the entire length of their backs.
Land Iguana
The island’s three endemic species of land iguanas—Galapagos, Santa Fe and pink—look almost identical except for their skin colors. They are larger than their marine relatives, growing more than three feet long and weighing as much as 25 pounds. Land iguanas mostly live in small colonies, though some individuals are solitary. Males will engage in head-butting to defend their territories. Land iguanas are known to live for at least 60 years. Their preferred food is the prickly pear cactus—watch for them to stand on their hind legs to reach the pads and yellow flowers of the succulent.
Similar to Darwin’s finches, the seven species of lava lizards most likely evolved from one single ancestor millions of years ago. These yellow, black and brown lizards are the most abundant reptiles on the islands. Males are larger than females, and females have bright red skin under their throats. Their most distinctive behaviors are rapid head bobbing and push-up stances, which they use to defend their territories and assert dominance. They may also change color if they are threatened or the temperature changes.
The Galapagos is home to about 30 different species of sharks, including whale sharks, hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, horn sharks, tiger sharks, and whitetip and blacktip reef sharks. An underwater encounter with a whale shark (the world’s largest fish) is particularly exhilarating because of their colossal size. The Galapagos is also considered one of the best places on Earth for hammerhead shark encounters. They often form large schools of hundreds of individuals—a spectacle that attracts divers from around the world.
Rays
Rays also give snorkelers a thrill, and the Galapagos hosts several species, including the spotted eagle and the golden ray, which are often seen in sheltered bays. While on open water, look for giant mantas, which have a maximum spread of around 20 feet. These enormous animals often leap out of the water, making a mighty splash upon reentry. Stingrays are common in shallow water near certain beaches and can inflict a painful wound if stepped on. Shuffle your feet in the sand when wading to scare them off!
Because the Humboldt Current brings cold water from the south, the water temperature tends to be cooler and more varied in the Galapagos than in many other tropical destinations. As a result, only a few species of coral grow here. Still, an abundance and variety of tropical and temperate fish species can be found just offshore, including blue-eyed damselfish, white-banded angelfish, yellow-tailed surgeonfish, Moorish idols, blue parrotfish, concentric puffer fish, yellow-bellied triggerfish and hieroglyphic hawkfish
Sally Lightfoot & Black Crabs
Perhaps the most photogenic of the Galapagos’ invertebrate species is the Sally Lightfoot crab, which is bright red on top and blue underneath. You’ll find these colorful creatures on rocky beaches, scuttling over black sand and lava. You may also notice small black crabs blending in with the lava. These are actually young Sally Lightfoots! Watch for lava herons waiting motionless amid rocks on the beach. If a crab moves within striking distance, the bird will try to snatch it.
Ghost & Hermit Crabs
Look down as you’re walking along a sandy beach, and you may find a pale, sand-colored ghost crab staring at you, its eyeballs perched at the ends of long eyestalks. Or you may just find evidence of their presence in the characteristic pattern of sand balls they leave behind. Galapagos tide pools also support hermit crabs, crustaceans that make their home by carrying an empty seashell on their back. When a juvenile hermit crab outgrows its protective shell, it finds a larger one and grows into it. This “moving house” occurs several times before the hermit crab reaches adult size.
On Natural Habitat Adventures’ Galapagos Discovery and our Galapagos Wildlife Photo Expedition, we take you deep into this wondrous world, guided by naturalist Expedition Leaders with extensive knowledge of this pristine wildness, including its endemic wildlife, such as Galapagos penguins and giant tortoises. And our privately chartered yachts offer exceptional comfort and amenities, with personalized attention from both guides and crew.
In this remote environment, Nat Hab’s exclusive access and decades of expertise guarantee a Galapagos experience you won’t find with any other tour operator or on a self-planned itinerary. Trust us to get you there, and the stunning landscapes and iconic wildlife of the Galapagos will do the rest!
EXPERT EXPEDITION LEADERS & SMALL GROUPS
Our naturalist Expedition Leaders are the finest in the Galapagos, holding highlevel certifications and advanced degrees in scientific research. They have guided in the Galapagos for decades, and many live there. With their expertise and experience—along with access to training resources from our conservation partner, World Wildlife Fund—our naturalist guides provide exceptional insight and interpretation. They’re also warm and personable, invested in getting to know each guest!
Our small groups of no more than 16 travelers allow for intimate, personalized exploration of the islands and their fearless wildlife. Ashore, we divide into even smaller groups. With one Expedition Leader for every 7–8 guests, we have the lowest guide-to-guest ratio in the islands, ensuring closer, quieter encounters with the flora and fauna of the Enchanted Isles.
“I had an absolutely wonderful trip! Our Expedition Leaders were intelligent, warm, knowledgeable and funny—a great combination for a guide. Their enthusiasm for Ecuador and the Galapagos was inspiring.”
—Nat Hab Traveler Donna A., Galapagos Discovery: The Nat Hab Experience
HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR GALAPAGOS TRIPS:
Our Galapagos adventures take you deeper into the wild for an immersive experience. Swim with dolphins and sea lions, and even sleep among wandering giant tortoises at our private Tortoise Camp. Get close to wildlife aboard specialized landing craft to hidden coves, go on guided walks to seabird colonies, and paddle kayaks for eye-level encounters with penguins and marine iguanas.
Come eye to eye with a sea turtle as you paddle a kayak or look down at a marine iguana gliding past from your perch on a stand-up paddleboard. And of course, our ships carry Zodiacs, too, so we can get close to wildlife on shore from our inflatable motorized rafts.
Spend a full week exploring varied islands aboard a privately chartered small ship carrying just 14–16 guests. No packing every few days to move to a different location— your room comes with you!
Snorkel with inquisitive sea lions, sea turtles, penguins and schools of vividly colored fish in the islands’ clear waters. In our small groups, the marine life is front and center, and you’re the sole audience.
Visit the Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, a worldfamous tortoise-rearing center on Santa Cruz Island, and view the protection pens where tiny hatchlings are bred to increase the depleted tortoise population.
Stay at our private Tortoise Camp in the highlands of Santa Cruz, which features a choice of platform tents or treehouses, an open lounge and the chance to sleep among giant tortoises— exclusively for Nat Hab guests. While there, you’ll have an opportunity to join our Scalesia reforestation project.
Tour Quito’s colonial Old Town, a World Heritage Site, with stops at Panecillo Hill, San Francisco Church, La Compañia, Independence Plaza and an artisanal chocolate tasting.
On our special Galapagos Wildlife Photo Expedition, enjoy personalized photography instruction to help you capture amazing wildlife close-ups as we explore 15 diverse islands in 17 days—a week longer than our 10-day Galapagos Discovery adventure!
“The ship was magnificent, with lots of delicious food choices that included local fare and refreshments upon return from land or sea adventures!”
—Nat Hab Traveler Tom K., Galapagos Discovery: The Nat Hab Experience
Natural Habitat Petrel
The 115-foot Natural Habitat Petrel is a deluxe motorized catamaran for up to 16 guests. It features eight large staterooms (including two suites with sitting areas) with private balconies, generous storage and en suite bathrooms. A ninth cabin offers solo accommodation. The decor features teak furniture, leather accents and glossy wood floors. Unwind topside or in the air-conditioned interior and enjoy fine meals in the dining room or on the aft deck. Two bars offer outdoor refreshments, and the library hosts nightly talks from your guides. The Petrel carries kayaks and snorkel gear for active exploration.
Tip Top IV
The bright and airy 16-passenger Tip Top IV features an air-conditioned interior, elegant dining area, and nine guest cabins, each with an en suite bathroom, storage lockers and drawers, and a safe. The 125-foot-long ship also has a spacious salon, library, well-stocked bar, and 775-square-foot outdoor teak sundeck with chaise lounge chairs, along with kayaks, SUPs and snorkel gear.
Nemo III
The Nemo III is a 75-foot motorsailing catamaran equipped with kayaks and snorkel gear. Eight airconditioned cabins feature ample storage plus an en suite bathroom. Enjoy spacious lounge areas inside and out, a dining salon with a small bar, and a sundeck with banquette seating and lounge chairs. The Nemo III has a classic, sporty style and nimble nature that perfectly complement the focus of our nature adventures.
We partner with World Wildlife Fund to promote conservation efforts in the Galapagos. Since 1961, WWF has led conservation initiatives on the archipelago, including funding the Charles Darwin Research Station, and has been vital in protected area management and environmental education. When you travel with Nat Hab, a portion of your trip cost supports WWF’s ongoing conservation work around the world.
“I was very impressed with the conservation efforts in the Galapagos and the way the tourism industry has been designed to be sustainable and integral to protecting the islands.”
The Galapagos is one of the birthplaces of ecotourism, and the islands have been a favorite destination for conservation travel since efforts to protect them in the 1970s. Conservation travel helps protect the Galapagos through the spread of advocacy, direct financial contributions to the Galapagos National Park Service, and both direct and indirect contributions to local communities. Nat Hab is proud to be part of the effort to preserve this haven for biodiversity through our sustainable travel model.
Nat Hab is also involved in the following initiatives throughout the Galapagos and the handful of communities present there, as well as in parts of mainland Ecuador we visit on our adventures:
Adventure Gear Donations
Nat Hab leads some of the most in-depth nature adventures in the Galapagos—and that means we go through a lot of gear. When we upgrade equipment like expedition kayaks, snorkels, fins or wetsuits, we often find the used gear is still in good condition. Rather than discard it, we donate it to local Galapagos communities—from schools and community groups to the friends and families of our staff and guides—helping more people explore their extraordinary surroundings and inspiring local conservation stewardship.
Andean Condor Husai Project
Many of our Galapagos adventures visit the renowned Hacienda Zuleta and its Andean Condor conservation and rehabilitation program. Known locally as Condor Huasi, it’s the only reproduction and liberation site licensed by the Ecuadorian government. Like many wildlife rehabilitation programs, this project benefits greatly from the awareness and advocacy generated by visitor engagement. But we go a step further, donating directly to the project on behalf of every Nat Hab traveler who visits.
Not many areas of the world have a home site as sustainable as Montemar, an off-the-grid retreat on Santa Cruz Island that we visit, demonstrating to our guests novel ways to make green improvements to their own homes. Featuring energy-efficient lighting, heating and cooling, the retreat was built using sustainable local products, showcasing sustainability in action. At Montemar, we are continually learning about ways to raise the bar on sustainable construction and design.
Reading enriches any Galapagos journey. Whether you’re preparing for your trip or deepening your understanding while on the islands, books offer essential context— from natural history and evolution to human stories and conservation. Here are some top picks to enhance your experience before, during and after your adventure.
Galapagos Wildlife (Bradt Wildlife Guides) | David Horwell & Pete Oxford
With information on visitor sites, history, conservation and habitats, this photographic guide introduces birds, reptiles, marine and other wildlife in the archipelago.
The Galapagos: A Natural History | Henry Nicholls
Beautifully weaving together natural history, evolutionary theory, and his own experience on the islands, Nicholls shows that the story of the Galapagos is not just an isolated concern but a reflection of our relationship with nature and the planet’s fate.
Galapagos: A Natural History | Michael Jackson
This comprehensive overview of the habitats, plants, birds and animals of the islands is both educational and enlightening. The book is illustrated with charts and maps and also contains wildlife checklists and a list of plants by zone.
Voyage of the Beagle | Charles Darwin
The fascinating tale of a young man on a voyage that changed his life—and our way of thinking about ourselves and the world. First published in 1839, it introduces readers to the wildlife, nature and charm of South America.
The Voyage of the Beagle: Darwin’s Extraordinary Adventure Aboard Fitzroy’s Famous Survey Ship | James Taylor
An ideal supplement for those who loved Darwin’s classic account, mixing history with antique and new illustrations, letters, diary entries, charts and narratives by shipboard artists.
Galapagos: Preserving Darwin’s Legacy | Tui de Roy
Tui de Roy corralled dozens of researchers and friends for this magnificently illustrated survey of the ecology, natural history and conservation of the Galapagos. With chapters by Jack Grove (fishes), Peter and Rosemary Grant (finches), Dennis Geist (geology) and many others.
Evolution’s Workshop | Edward Larson
Written by a Pulitzer Prize winner, this book covers the discovery of the islands, Darwin’s visit, the influence of the United States during WWII and the establishment of the national park.
The Beak of the Finch | Jonathan Weiner
An illuminating, Pulitzer Prize-winning look at evolution, using the story and fieldwork of Peter and Rosemary Grant on Daphne Major as an example. A science writing classic.
Galapagos: A Novel | Kurt Vonnegut
The narrator lives in a future where humanity has been wiped out except for a small group on a “nature cruise of the century,” only to get shipwrecked and stranded on a fictional Galapagos island.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS GALAPAGOS
W hen is the best time of year to visit the Galapagos Islands?
Located at the equator, the Galapagos Islands’ subtropical climate makes the islands an inviting yearround destination. Weather variations are subtle, ranging from a daily high temperature of 74°F in August to a slightly warmer 88° in March. Water temperatures remain in the mid-70s year-round with underwater visibility ranging from 30-70 feet—but the water tends to get extra clear from January through March, with visibility often around 100 feet.
The Galapagos doesn’t see a huge contrast from month to month in temperatures or rainfall, even when comparing the warmest and wettest to the coolest and driest months. A flux of ocean currents creates two seasons: the warm, wet season and the cool, dry “garua” season.
What time of year has the calmest seas in the Galapagos?
The waters in the Galapagos are generally calmer from December through May and can be more active from June through November. Some of our travel is on the open ocean, where the waters can be unpredictable.
Are there any animals that are seasonal in the Galapagos?
Nearly every species encountered in the Galapagos Islands arrived here floating on logs or “rafts” of plants/seaweed. Or, in the case of much of the birdlife, they were blown in. For travelers, that means most of the iconic wildlife of the Galapagos remains here year-round. The only exception is the waved albatross, one of the few migratory birds in the Galapagos. The best time to see the waved albatross is April through mid-December. Egg laying occurs from mid-April to late June, and the colonies are active, with parents feeding their single young through December. When the fledged bird finally leaves the nest, it does not return for four or five years. From January to March, all the albatrosses remain at sea.
How close will I get to wildlife in the Galapagos?
While park rules forbid touching any of the animals, visitors can approach them for amazing photographs. Most Galapagos wildlife is indifferent to human presence, so it is highly likely you’ll come very close to many animals on the islands and in the surrounding waters.
What clothing should I pack for a Galapagos adventure?
Bring lightweight clothing and adequate sun protection for warm days on the water. It may be windy on the ship, and rain is always possible, so pack warmer layers and waterproof rain gear. A bathing suit, sports sandals and sturdy shoes are also necessary for snorkeling and walking excursions. For further details of what you’ll need, peruse this helpful packing list and check out Nat Hab’s online Gear Store for some of the key items recommended for your adventure.
What are the meals like on the ship?
Meals on board are a combination of buffet-style and plated, with several options for each meal. They are a blend of Western-style meals and a sampling of Ecuadorian dishes. The food is plentiful and delicious, and special dietary needs can easily be accommodated.
How rough are the seas in the Galapagos? Is seasickness common on small ships?
The waters around the Galapagos Islands are generally calm, but can be choppy from July to December, especially in September and October, because of the Humboldt Current that comes from Antarctica. We tend to travel at night, so seasickness is usually not a big problem, but it does happen. Some travelers prefer to take medication to prevent seasickness. If you are at all susceptible to motion sickness (or if you are unsure), we recommend bringing medication with you. It is better to err on the safe side and bring extra medication, as we generally do not keep medication available on board the boat.
What is it like to stay at Nat Hab’s Tortoise Camp?
On our Galapagos adventures, travelers will have the opportunity to stay at Nat Hab’s private Tortoise Camp, a collection of elevated, safari-style tents and tree houses located atop a hillside that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. The camp is set amid the conservation habitat of several dozen giant tortoises, and from July through February, guests will regularly see these massive creatures strolling around the property. Tents and tree houses have beds, large viewing windows, flush toilets, showers and sinks. Our gourmet evening meal is eaten in our thatched dining area, with open views of the lush highland environs. During the day, we will explore the lava caves that are unique to this remote property.
Will there be opportunities to snorkel in the Galapagos Islands?
There will be plenty of opportunities to snorkel, which is the highlight of visiting the islands for many of our guests. Maintaining the smallest groups ensures a more personal marine life experience, such as snorkeling with penguins, sea turtles, rays, sea lions and more.
What currency is used in Ecuador? Can I exchange money or use my credit card on the ship?
The national currency of Ecuador is the U.S. dollar. We recommend having cash on hand for incidentals, souvenir purchases and gratuities. Credit cards, particularly Visa, are widely accepted in Quito. ATMs are available in Quito but not easily accessible on the islands aside from Santa Cruz and San Cristobal.
Will there be cell phone service or Internet connection in the Galapagos?
Wi-Fi will be available at our hotel in Quito. Internet access varies depending on the ship. There is very limited cell phone reception in the Galapagos (guests must have an international plan) and none whatsoever on the outer islands. We encourage guests to unplug during the adventure, and most enjoy being disconnected during their time on the ship.
Are the Galapagos Islands appropriate for children?
Nat Hab’s Expedition Leaders are known for their excellent rapport with kids. This fun dynamic, along with a diverse array of activities and unforgettable wildlife encounters, will leave children with lifelong memories. We strongly encourage you to call our office at 800-543-8917 to speak with an Adventure Specialist about the specific requirements of our Galapagos trips. If you’re looking for an adventure designed specifically for families, consider our Family Adventures
How is Nat Hab’s Galapagos Wildlife Photo Expedition different from its other Galapagos tours?
On our dedicated photo expeditions you’ll be in the company of fellow photography enthusiasts (often ranging from amateurs to serious hobbyists) as well as a dedicated professional photographer Expedition Leader who will be able to help with photo instruction and get you to the right place at the right time for sensational photos. Our 17-day Galapagos Wildlife Photo Expedition is also longer than our 10-day Galapagos Discovery, and the group is capped at 15 travelers instead of 16.
Can Nat Hab take our family or a group on a private Galapagos adventure?
Yes! Families or friend groups can reserve entire departures on a private basis. Please call our office at 800-543-8917 for group size and pricing details.
Any idea how much a giant tortoise weighs or why a booby has blue feet?
Take our Galapagos wildlife quiz to put your knowledge to the test!
EXPERIENCE THE GALAPAGOS: THE ENCHANTED ISLES
With abundant wildlife, dramatic landforms and fascinating history, a trip to the Galapagos Islands is an unforgettable adventure.
Call 800-543-8917 to learn more about our Galapagos adventures, as well as private and family options.
