In this article, we will focus on the wildlife that inhabits these incredible islands, such as the Galápagos; from sharks to iguanas, sea lions, and giant tortoises. If you’re interested… keep reading!
General Information About the Galápagos
Located in the Pacific Ocean, 966 km from Guayaquil on Ecuador’s coast, the Galápagos Islands are a spectacular destination for diving enthusiasts. Originally known as the “Enchanted Islands” by Spanish explorers in the 16th century due to their impressive biodiversity of flora and fauna, the Galápagos lie along the equator and are composed of 13 major islands (each with over 10 km² of surface area), 6 medium islands (from 1 to 10 km²), and 215 rocky islets. This extensive archipelago is scattered and only accessible by boat.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, the Galápagos Islands are also the second-largest marine reserve in the world and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and National Park of Ecuador. This archipelago, the second most volcanically active on the planet after Hawaii, is a paradise for both underwater and terrestrial nature lovers.
Bathed by strong ocean currents, the Galápagos Islands are globally renowned for their fascinating and sometimes inexplicable natural history. In 1835, during his voyage aboard the HMS Beagle, naturalist Charles Darwin studied the abundant endemic wildlife of these islands, leading him to develop his theory of the origin of species. What Darwin did not anticipate was that the richness of this archipelago extends beneath its waters as well.
The succession of endemic creatures, both on land and at sea, is simply spectacular and overwhelming. In these islands, the unexpected is the norm, and every corner holds its own wonder. From sea lions and penguins to marine iguanas that glide into the water at low tide to feed on algae, the Galápagos promise an unparalleled experience for all explorers and nature lovers.
The Galápagos Islands are famous for their iconic giant tortoises, which can be observed at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island.
Beneath the ocean’s surface, marine currents pass through volcanic rocks, creating a cool, nutrient-rich marine environment. This habitat fosters a dense and rich biomass where warm and cold-water species coexist. The cold Humboldt Current, the warm Panama Current, and the deep Cromwell Current converge here, giving rise to a multitude of species, many of them endemic.
About 20% of these species are found nowhere else on the planet, such as the multi-armed Heliaster starfish, horned yellow-eyed moray eels, and various species of wrasses. However, most Galápagos subspecies can also be found in Panama, Baja California, and Chile.
Diving in the Galápagos is a unique experience, highlighted by the abundance of hammerhead sharks, especially around Wolf and Darwin Islands. It is also common to see large pelagics, giant loggerhead turtles, whale sharks, mola mola, whitetip reef sharks, manta rays, sea lions, penguins, marine iguanas, and Galápagos sharks.
The vertical walls of the islands are covered with black coral trees, whose polyps emit a mysterious yellow glow in the depths. Without a doubt, the Galápagos Islands are one of the world’s top diving destinations, especially for those seeking to observe large marine animals in their natural habitat.
Notable Endemic Species:
Galápagos Giant Tortoises
The Galápagos giant tortoises are iconic and essential for conservation on the islands. They are the largest tortoises and the longest-living vertebrates in the world, exceeding 100 years of age.
Marine Iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus)
Marine iguanas are famous for their extraordinary evolutionary adaptations. Unlike other terrestrial iguanas, Galápagos iguanas have adapted to marine life, feeding on algae.
Galápagos Fur Seal (Arctophoca galapagoensis)
The Galápagos fur seal is the smallest fur seal species in the world and is more closely related to sea lions.
Galápagos Penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus)
This is one of the smallest penguin species in the world and is endemic to the Galápagos Islands.
