But for now, let\u2019s find out more about why this ancient archipelago is unrivaled by any other place on earth.<\/p>\n
![\"Penguins](\"https:\/\/academybaydiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Penguins-on-a-rock-formation-in-the-Galapagos.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Photo: Sebastian_photos<\/span><\/p>\n The Gal\u00e1pagos\u2019s most famous visitor, Charles Darwin, spent five weeks there in 1835. After studying the native wildlife, he realized that due to its isolated position, many species living on the islands had developed unique bodies and abilities to suit their habitat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Describing the Gal\u00e1pagos as \u2018a little world within itself\u2019, he later used these revolutionary findings to form the basis of his world-changing theory: The Origin of Species.<\/span><\/p>\n Photo: Grebmot<\/span><\/p>\n Straddling the equator, and sprawling into both the northern and southern hemispheres, the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands are perfectly positioned where three different Pacific currents meet. This ensures a wide range of sea temperatures that allow various marine life to flourish.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If there\u2019s one thing to say about the climate here, it\u2019s that it\u2019s sure to keep you on your toes! Sea temperatures can vary up to 10 degrees (F) on any given day depending on where you are, and the weather can change rapidly too \u2013 going from bright and hot to wet and windy in a matter of minutes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Generally speaking, though, the southern currents from Humboldt and Peru create choppier, cooler waters between June and November. So if you\u2019re keen to get your flippers on, it\u2019s best to visit between December and May, when the water is warmer, calmer and has better visibility for snorkeling and scuba diving.<\/span><\/p>\n If diving\u2019s top of your agenda, <\/span>have a look at the range of tours we offer<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Did you know that only four of the Gal\u00e1pagos Archipelago\u2019s thirteen major islands are inhabited? Officially declared a <\/span>UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/span><\/a> in 1976, the others remain almost untouched by civilization.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With 13 active volcanoes, the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands are one of the most volcanically active areas in the world. The landscape is an awe-inspiring array of cliffs, craters, and rugged mountains, crystal-clear azure waters and bright white, red, green and black sands.<\/span><\/p>\n Photo: Penny Ash<\/span><\/p>\n Now that we\u2019ve covered the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands\u2019 climate and landscape, you might be wondering what kind of vegetation could possibly survive in such a diverse environment. And with over 500 species of flora on the island, the answer is \u2013 a bit of everything!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Scientists have identified three main vegetation zones across the Gal\u00e1pagos: shore, arid, and humid. <\/span>The shore zone is the strip of land separating the sea and the dryer inland areas. With a lack of freshwater and high levels of salt, most plants can\u2019t survive in these coastal conditions, but you will find shrubs, mangroves and beach morning glory whose vines help to stabilize sand dunes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The largest of the three is the arid zone and it boasts the most plant species \u2013 making it of great interest to biologists. In true Darwinian fashion, it features the hardiest plants, like leafless shrubs and cacti, which have adapted to survive in the dry and dusty dirt. Cacti endemic to the Gal\u00e1pagos include the lava cactus, candelabra cactus, and a unique species of opuntia (prickly pear).<\/span><\/p>\n The third zone is the humid zone \u2013 a lush, leafy tropical paradise made of ferns, grasses, mosses, orchids and Scalesia \u2013 a daisy tree endemic to the Gal\u00e1pagos. You\u2019ll only find these flourishing forests on the larger islands, where higher elevation leads to more habitable levels of humidity. <\/span><\/p>\n Photo: Gabriela Larreategu<\/span><\/p>\n If animal antics are your thing, there\u2019s no better place to see them than on the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands. Over 9,000 species of animals inhabit the islands, including many that you won\u2019t find anywhere else!<\/span><\/p>\n From playful penguins and sea lions, to salt-sneezing marine iguanas and magnificent marine life \u2013 the chance to get up close and personal with the islands\u2019 inhabitants is more than any animal-lover could dream of. <\/span>In fact, it\u2019s the only place in the world where you can gallivant with giant Gal\u00e1pagos tortoises in the morning, swim with whales, dolphins and sharks in the afternoon, and settle down for a spot of blue-footed booby-watching in the evening.<\/span><\/p>\n With so much life among the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands\u2019 breathtaking beaches, verdant forests and sparkling seas, it\u2019s no surprise that what was once called \u2018nature\u2019s great experiment\u2019, is now so popular as a vacation destination for animal lovers.\u00a0 <\/span>And while we can\u2019t list all of the wondrous wildlife that live on the Gal\u00e1pagos, you can find out more about the islands\u2019 inhabitants <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n Photo: Andy Brunner<\/span><\/p>\n We\u2019re sure you\u2019ll agree that nowhere does nature quite like the Gal\u00e1pagos. And with so much to see and do, we\u2019d recommend staying at least a week for the full island experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re ready to start planning your dream trip, we have a range of <\/span>Galapagos scuba diving<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Galapagos Island tours <\/span><\/a>for you to choose from. And the best bit is: we\u2019ll take care of everything \u2013 from hotels and meals, to transfers and equipment \u2013 so all you have to worry about is having the time of your life!<\/span><\/p>\n For all you dedicated divers, our 14-day <\/span>Complete Gal\u00e1pagos<\/span><\/a> and 8-day <\/span>Ultimate Gal\u00e1pagos Diving<\/span><\/a> tours offer plenty of chances to get chummy with the sea life. Or, if you prefer snorkeling or sightseeing, our 8-day <\/span>Discover Gal\u00e1pagos<\/span><\/a> tour could be just the ticket.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThe Gal\u00e1pagos Islands Inspired Darwin\u2019s Theory of Evolution<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/academybaydiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/A-sea-turtle-in-the-Galapagos.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Weather is Wonderfully Wacky <\/span><\/h2>\n
The Galapagos Islands: Landscapes Lost in Time<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Mountains](\"https:\/\/academybaydiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Mountains-and-rock-formations-line-the-coast-of-the-Galapagos-Islands.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Islands\u2019 Diverse Terrain Makes for Fascinating Flora<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Vibrant](\"https:\/\/academybaydiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Vibrant-red-and-green-vegetation-on-the-rocky-coastline-of-the-Galapagos-Islands.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Galapagos Islands Are Incredible for Wildlife Watching<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Blue](\"https:\/\/academybaydiving.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Blue-footed-boobies-in-the-Galapagos.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAre You Ready to Explore the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands?<\/span><\/h2>\n