Home to a plethora of incredible animals, such as the Marine Swimming Iguana, Galapagos Penguin, and of course, the Giant Tortoise, the vast biodiversity of the islands, each with their own distinct character, is the main draw.
First coming to prominence as a hot bed of piratical activity in the 17th and 18th centuries, the various caves provided hiding places for English pirates wanting to plunder the passing Spanish Galleons. The islands received worldwide fame upon the 1859 publication of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, which presented a revolutionary argument against the transmutation of species. As one of the most protected areas on the planet, opportunities to visit are limited and must be undertaken with a specialist guide.
After a walk of approximately one hour on a pavestone path through arid vegetation, visitors are rewarded by the view of a beautiful white sand beach and surrounding dunes. These dunes provide an ideal hiding area for the eggs of marine turtles. Here, the ocean is perfect for swimming or just relaxing on the beach. At the far end of the beach is a rocky point creating a barrier for the tranquil Playa Mansa and the surrounding mangrove forest, a great place for snorkelling, swimming or picnics. Darwin finches, mockingbirds, yellow warblers, sea turtles, marine iguanas, pelicans, sharks and other coastal birds decorate this gorgeous landscape.
