As you probably know by now, from our other posts on the Galapagos Islands, they are truly one of the most remarkable places on Earth. You’ll also know that it’s possible to visit this volcanic archipelago without breaking the bank, which is great news because it leaves more money in the kitty for those once-in-a-lifetime Galapagos adventures that you can find below.
Trek through the Bellavista lava tubes
First of all, if you are looking for a real once-in-a-lifetime experience then heading to the highland of Santa Cruz and visiting Bellavista is a must. The reason is that there you will find spectacular tubes hewn from the rock by lava.
The Bellavista lava tubes were created as liquid magma flowed and hardened on the outside, still saying molten hot in the middle. The best thing is that you can actually walk/hike through them!
Indeed, you will find a pretty easy hike all set up in the Bellavista lava tubes, as the rood of the tubes is pretty high most of the time. There are also lights strung all the way along the route but do expect it to get pretty dark as you get deeper into the tube. Also, it’s worth noting that in some places the roof of the tunnels narrows significantly and this means you will need to crawl through some small spaces to complete the route. With this in mind, robust clothing and shoes are a must. Also, it can get pretty wet and muddy in the tubes so a waterproof jacket is probably a good idea too.
Check out the tortoises on Santa Cruz Island
Of course, if you forsake every other activity in this post ( and we recommend that you don’t as they are all a lot of fun) the one thing you must do is to see the giant tortoises that gave the Galapagos Isles their name.
Yes, that is right, Galapagos translates as Tortoise in Spanish, and the islands gained this name because the massive shelled creatures were some of the first wildlife they saw on the islands when they were first discovered by western explorers.
There used to be a massive 15 giant tortoise species on the Galapagos islands, but the damage done to the populations in the 19th century means there are only 10 species remaining on the island now.
Indeed, to get a sense of how the actions in the 19th century devastated the tortoise population it is useful to note that during his 1835 trip to the islands, Charles Darwin is known to have captured species of giant tortoises for study. Unfortunately, Darwin also had a penchant for eating exotic animals and the giant tortoises that ended on his ship The Beagle also ended up in the cooking pot. Although you will be glad to note that there are many protections in place to keep the Galapagos tortoise safe these days.
The Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island is now one of the main centers of conservation and breeding for the giant tortoises with those visiting touring the station to see the incubators before they head out to the highlands to see the populations in the wild. Be sure to visit between June and December for the best chance of seeing these magnificent shelled beasts.
Go freediving in Puerto Ayora
There are plenty of great diving sites all over the Galapagos, but if it’s freediving you are looking for (no air tank) then Puerto Ayora is the place to be. After all, it’s in Puerto Ayora that you will find all manner of sea life including beautiful and majestic manta rays, hammerhead and Galapagos sharks, and a myriad of tropical fish.
There are even free diving specialists in this location that can help you get trained and kitted up for your dive. Although, more dedicated freedivers are likely to have gear like the suits found on Hiwetsuits.com with them. After all, having a custom-made suit can make all the difference when freediving, ensuring that you have the best and safest experience possible, and leaving you free to admire all the wonderful underwater life.
Try paddleboarding/kayaking to see the penguins in Puerto Villamil
Finally, an experience that you won’t want to miss when visiting the Galapagos Islands is paddling along the water to see the Penguins in Puerto Villamil. Choose between guided kayak tours, or stand-up paddles boards for this adventure, and be prepared to see not only the famous penguins but sharks, rare birds, and even stingrays bobbing up to the surface. Truly a once in a lifetime experience!