"Sailing through Galapagos" Galápagos Islands by travelmad478

Galápagos Islands Travel Guide: 1,001 reviews and 4,014 photos

In October 2002, I went to the Galapagos Islands with my friends Vera and Janet. We spent 11 days sailing around the islands, on a trip organized by Galapagos Travel (www.galapagostravel.com). This trip was a truly unique experience. Although I've certainly been exposed to fantastic wildlife before, on African safaris, the Galapagos is something different. Almost all of the animals and birds that you see are virtually fearless--they're so unconcerned about humans that in many instances you have to literally step over them as you're walking down the trails. All of the photos on these pages were taken with a tiny point-and-shoot camera--many times, I actually had to back away from the animals to take photos, because I was so close that the camera wouldn't focus. Amazing! I've categorized some of my more successful photos in the travelogues on this page.

Yacht Sagitta

Our trip was spent aboard the yacht Sagitta (shown in the photo). It's a 100-foot motor sailer with space for about 18 passengers. There were 16 on our trip, plus two guides (a park ranger and a tour leader) and seven crew members. This boat, nice and small, was very comfortable, with plenty of common areas to relax in. Cabins have two bunk beds and en-suite baths, with hot showers--a must when you've just come in from a chilly snorkel!

Galapagos finch

The vast majority of the Galapagos Islands territory is maintained as a national park by Ecuador. The islands are an invaluable living laboratory for studying evolutionary processes--one of the most famous examples is the speciation of Galapagos finches. Charles Darwin visited Galapagos in 1835, and a good part of the development of his theories on evolution were inspired by these little birds. On our trip, we saw 12 out of the 13 finch species. Just don't ask me to tell any of them apart!

Last visit to Galápagos Islands: Oct 2002
Intro Written Nov 9, 2002
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Reviews (6)

Wetsuit What to Pack (2)

If you're going to Galapagos, it's almost certain that you will spend time in the water, either snorkeling or diving.... more travel advice

Climate-appropriate clothing - Galápagos Islands

Climate-appropriate clothing What to Pack (2)

The climate in the islands is pretty temperate year-round, with more heat and rain at some times, more fog at other... more travel advice

Islands, islands...take your time! Things to Do (1)

There are around 13 main islands in the Galapagos group, plus dozens of other small islands and rock formations. The... more travel advice

The panga Transportation (2)

If you go to Galapagos, you'll become intimately acquainted with the challenges of getting on and off the panga... more travel advice

Shopping (1)
Resist the urge to shop in Puerto Ayora!

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Comments (34)

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jumpingnorman Feb 9, 2009 at 3:14 PM

Wow, you've been to Galapagos! I only went up to Quito -- maybe next time I will try to do the Gap tour! Nice tips! Norman :)
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Basaic Jan 23, 2008 at 3:39 PM

Great tips and photos on an interesting destination.
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VeronicaG Jun 12, 2006 at 6:57 PM

A yacht tour around the Galapagos Islands sounds wonderful--what a wealth of beauty! Thanks for sharing it....
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lovinoz Feb 5, 2006 at 6:15 PM

Did you rent your wetsuit in Quito?
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spitball Dec 30, 2005 at 11:32 AM

Hi Julie, great photo's! Too bad we can't rate the T-Logs, I'd be giving you 10 points for each one. Nice trip.
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easterntrekker Oct 13, 2005 at 4:35 PM

Thanks for the information ...wet suit !! Oh no!! One more thing to bring or maybe not we've braved our Canadian waters...so we're pretty tough HA!!
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madamx May 25, 2005 at 6:55 AM

Hi Julie, very nice page and wonderful pictures. We are planning on Quito/Galapagos next year. Thanks for the great tips ~ Helen
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Quero Dec 10, 2004 at 3:04 AM

Julie, I gave "stars" to as many of these tips as I was allowed to (can't rate TLs). You didn't dive, it seems. Oh, well, you'll just have to return to do the half of Galapagos you missed! Happy travels. Q.
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jamiesno Nov 15, 2004 at 5:52 PM

Julie I bet this was an amazing destination to get to! Way to go. Cheers from Labrador, Canada!
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Maillekeul Sep 30, 2004 at 10:46 AM

Splendid pics of a place I have missed...