Located 600 miles from the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean, the remote Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, have an abundance of unique wildlife that exists nowhere else on Earth. The Galapagos species have evolved to adapt to the archipelago’s diverse, isolated environments and are renowned for having influenced Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection during his visit in 1835. 

Many animals don’t seem to mind the presence of humans—thought to be due to centuries of isolation and few endemic predators—and it’s incredible to see species like the giant tortoise, marine iguanas, sea lions and other wildlife up close with a naturalist guide.  

Some iconic Galapagos wildlife species that can be spotted during Artisans of Leisure tours in the Galapagos include:

Giant Tortoise

Seeing the giant Galapagos tortoises close up in the wild is an iconic experience. These fascinating creatures are the largest living species of tortoise and, on average, live for over 100 years.

We arrange for travelers to visit a tortoise reserve on the island of Santa Cruz, as well as tour the Darwin Research Station to learn about conservation work and visit the breeding center to see Galapagos tortoises in different stages of development.

Sea Lions

Galapagos sea lions are found throughout the archipelago and are known to be playful and inquisitive. We always enjoy seeing them sunning themselves on the spectacular beach at Gardner Bay on Espanola Island and can also arrange for travelers to kayak, snorkel and dive with sea lions.

Flamingos

Brilliant pink flamingos are seen throughout the islands, commonly spotted wading in the saltwater lagoons of Floreana, Santa Cruz and Isabela.

A subspecies of the American flamingos, they’re known for their smaller stature and more vivid in color—a result of the carotenoids pigments in the algae and crustaceans they eat.

Sally Lightfoot crabs 

Sally Lightfoot crabs, commonly spotted along the rocky coastlines of the islands, are known for their vivid red, orange and blue hues and for being especially agile and acrobatic, able to jump, run in all directions and appear to walk or skip on water (the result of moving quickly over wet surfaces).

Blue-footed boobies and Nazca boobies

The blue-footed boobie, a seabird with distinctive bright blue feet whose color corresponds to the age and health of the bird, is an iconic species seen in the Galapagos. Although the birds are found on other islands off the coast of Central and South America, the Galapagos archipelago is home to the world’s largest concentration, making it the best place to spot them.

The Galapagos is also home to two other species of boobies, the red-footed boobies and Nazca boobies.

Lava lizards

Often found in large groups warming themselves on rocks, lava lizards are endemic to the islands and are found in abundance throughout the archipelago. Known for the vibrant red or orange colors on the males, they also have regenerative tails and the males perform what looks like push-ups to attract mates.

Waved albatross

The largest species of bird in the Galapagos, the waved albatross is named for the wave-like pattern on their wings and are known for their impressive wingspan (around seven or eight feet) and an elaborate courtship ritual that results in the birds mating for life.

 Galapagos Frigatebirds

The Galapagos has two species of frigatebirds: the magnificent frigatebird and the great frigatebird. The magnificent frigatebird, one of the world’s fastest birds with speeds up to 95 miles per hour, is known for the male’s brilliant red throat pouch which inflates during mating rituals. Magnificent frigatebirds have an impressive wingspan, can fly for days without stopping, and often steal food from other birds in mid-flight. 

Darwin’s finches

The Galapagos has around 17 endemic species of Darwin’s finches, the birds that famously inspired Darwin’s theory of natural selection and are considered an iconic example of adaptive radiation. Each island has a different finch species with varied beak sizes and shapes that have adapted to different food sources.

Land iguanas, marine iguanas and hybrid iguanas

Marine iguanas, the only iguanas who can swim, are unique to the Galapagos and have adapted to dive into the ocean to feed on algae. Land iguanas, by contrast, live on dry land in arid conditions, feed on the endemic prickly pear cacti and are known for their yellow-orange coloration.  

The hybrid iguanas are a unique—and rare—result of crossbreeding between marine and land iguanas and found only on South Plaza Island. The hybrid iguanas are able to dive for seaweed and climb cacti.

Galapagos penguins

One of the world’s smallest and rarest species of penguin, the Galapagos penguins are also the only ones to live near the equator. A classic example of a species adapting to their environment, the Galapagos penguin has unique features to survive in the tropical climate, including being a smaller size with less body fat, having bare patches, panting like a dog and standing with their wings out. They also tend to nest alone instead of in colonies to take advantage of small patches of shade.

Flightless cormorant

The only species of cormorant which has lost the ability to fly, flightless cormorants are endemic to the Galapagos and are one of the world’s rarest birds. With few land predators, they are believed to have evolved without the need to take to the air, concentrating instead on diving for food. They are found on the rocky coastlines of two islands, Fernandina and Isabela.

Exploring the Galapagos Islands is a bucket-list experience for travelers who love nature and wildlife, and we arrange both luxury cruises and land-based tours that showcase the island’s incredible biodiversity. 

Contact Artisans of Leisure to begin planning a private Ecuador tour featuring a luxurious tour of the Galapagos Islands.