Galapagos wildlife tours are something that many Ecuador visitors choose to add to their lists of things to do on these islands. The reason for this is simple. The Galapagos Islands are home to a number of endemic animal species that aren’t found anywhere else on the planet, and some people have gone as far as to label the island chain as an ecological wonderland. Also worth noting is that Charles Darwin was largely inspired by the Galapagos when developing his famous theory of evolution.

The Galapagos Islands and their surrounding waters form both a national park and a biological marine reserve. As such, the animals that reside there are well-protected. This allows many different species to thrive, with examples including blue-footed boobies, Galapagos penguins, and giant tortoises. Other Galapagos animals that you might come across on a wildlife tour are pelicans, sea lions, flightless cormorants, marine iguanas, hood mockingbirds, waved albatross, and Sally Lightfoot crabs. The list certainly doesn’t end there, however.

As for where to arrange tours to see the Galapagos wildlife, the main Ecuadorian cities of Quito and Guayaquil are the destinations of choice within Ecuador itself. All of the travel agencies in both cities offer Galapagos package tours, and these tours can either see you flying to the islands or arriving by way of boat. Should you prefer arranging your tour through an international operator, options are available.

Galapagos Islands Map

Some Galapagos wildlife tours include scuba diving and/or snorkeling, so you don’t have to stay on dry land when searching for curious creatures. Also, there are tours to fit a healthy range of budgets. The very best see their guests traveling in comfort and feature competent naturalists who can provide in depth info on the rich wildlife. As far as length, Galapagos wildlife tours often last a week or more, as the islands lie more than 600 miles offshore and provide plenty of fascinating things to see. Many tour guests stay overnight on the ships that brought them to the islands.