Exploring the Galapagos

Jessica shares her experience visiting the Galapagos Islands on a luxury yacht

The Galapagos is an ancient archipelago in the Pacific Ocean dating back over 3 million years consisting of 14 main islands and over 100 islets. It’s a 2-hour flight from Guayaquil off the coast of Ecuador about 600 miles away. The Galapagos is one of the most impressive places I have visited.

I had the pleasure of visiting the Galapagos by a luxury catamaran, the Alya Yacht, for 6 days and 5 nights. On this trip we visited eight different islands, went hiking and snorkeling every day, and saw some of the most unique wildlife in the world. What was most surprising to me, was how different and varied the islands were for being so close together. Some islands had animals that the others didn’t and their topography varied so much. Each island was a new experience with different things to see.

There are two ways to experience the Galapagos - by boat or by land. And to be honest, the land option means you’re sleeping on land but taking daily boat rides to visit other islands or for snorkeling opportunities. Half of the animals that are in the Galapagos are in the water! 

The gateway into the Galapagos is through Baltra Island. That’s where the main airport is and where you can go board your boat or start your land journey. On our way from the airport to pengha (or dinghy— the small boat you take to the big boat) we had to stop the bus because there was a land iguana in our way! It was the perfect traffic stop for our trip. 

As soon as we boarded our yacht, we were whisked away into Galapagan paradise. We started our first day with a hike on North Seymour Island and immediately started seeing the wildlife that is unique to the Galapagos. Within five minutes we were looking at the impressive and large iguanas, seeing how the blue footed boobies don’t move when people approach them, and staring at the giant red balloons on the frigate birds! Within an instant you’re drawn, hooked, and ready to see more of what the Galapagos has to offer.

Over the next five days we were taken to other islands where we walked, hiked, explored and got intimate with nature. We had some days where we were taken to empty white sand beaches to have to ourselves. Everywhere we went the animals and wildlife were abundant.  We saw flamingos, we saw marine iguanas, we saw desert tortoises that are massive and live up to over 200 years! It was incredible.

When we were not on land, we were in the water! On one snorkeling experience we jumped right into the ocean and were immediately surrounded by baby sea lions. Baby sea lions act exactly like puppies and play fetch, imitated us in the water, and were the cutest things in the world. I didn’t know how much I could love sea lions until this trip. We saw so many starfish, parrot fish, and a shark or two! A highlight for me was swimming so close to massive sea turtles.

If you’re a diver or even a lover of snorkeling, this is the place to do it. I do want to mention that it is important to choose the right ship or accommodation if you do want to go scuba diving verses snorkeling. My boat only offered snorkeling, which we loved, but if you or your clients are scuba divers then you need to pick accordingly. If you do go scuba diving you’ll be able to see many more of the animals in the water.

The Galapagos is not an easy trip, but it is a worthwhile trip. You’re waking up early, seeing nature and wildlife, and being active. You’re embracing the fact that you’re visiting an untouched, unfiltered, and pristine slice of life

If the Galapagos has been on your radar, GO NOW! There are no crowds, incredible rates, and the Galapagos is working on being fully vaccinated.  As of now, 80% of the people in the Galapagos are vaccinated. I could not have wished for a more perfect trip to get back out there in my travels. 

If you have any questions on the Galapagos, Ecuador or Pure! Travel Group please feel free to reach out to me at jessica@kainyc.com. 

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