The Galapagos Islands

Turtles, penguins, rays, seahorses, lizards... The Galapagos Islands are a paradise for all nature lovers! I've selected the top three islands you must not miss while island hopping.

Located about 1,000 kilometers off the coast of Ecuador, the archipelago consists of 130 islands. Even if you want to visit all 130, I must unfortunately disappoint you, as not all islands are accessible to tourists. Since 1978, the Galapagos Islands have been on UNESCO's World Heritage list, hence the high level of protection for this unique biosphere.

Santa Cruz Island | Isabela Island

Floreana Island

Our tour starts on Santa Cruz, the most populous island. The beautiful Tortuga Bay has not only the longest sandy beach of the Galapagos Islands, but is also home to numerous marine iguanas. The path from Puerto Ayora to the beach is a bit challenging (don't forget your sun hat!), but you can spot many colorful birds and well-camouflaged reptiles along the way.

Upon arrival at the beach, you will be greeted by the dark marine iguanas lounging on the black lava stones - you will be surprised at how tame the animals are. However, on all islands, please do not touch the animals! Adjacent to Tortuga Bay is Playa Mansa.

Here, snorkeling enthusiasts will find their paradise. Perhaps you'll spot a reef shark or two? To get to the next spot, you will need sturdy shoes. After a short hike through the inland, you can cool off in the pools of Las Grietas and go snorkeling in a crevice.

Charles Darwin is the man who made the Galapagos Islands famous. During an expedition in the 19th century, he accidentally discovered how various animals adapted to their environment to survive. The idea of evolution was born. At the Charles Darwin Research Station, you can see these gentle creatures in the breeding station, which cares for the natural conservation of the famous Galapagos tortoises. In the interior, in the Reserva El Chato, where the animals live in their natural environment, you can also get very close to the giant tortoises.

Isabela Island is the largest of the Galapagos Islands and is known for its diverse underwater world. This beautiful spot was formed by five fused volcanoes. The Sierra Negra volcano is one of the most active volcanoes. Its crater measures a gigantic ten kilometers in diameter, making it the second largest in the world. I highly recommend a hike to the crater rim; after a strenuous six-hour ascent, you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the crater and the island.

What you must not miss is a boat and snorkeling tour through Los Tuneles. Do you want to see cute seahorses, large rays, and turtles while swimming with colorful fish and observing the famous blue-footed booby? This is all entirely possible here. Depending on the weather, the sea can be quite rough, so it's a good idea to pack a tablet for the ride.

In Las Tintoreras, you will find a similar landscape to that of a tour through Los Tuneles. If you're lucky, you might also spot the small, adorable Galapagos penguins! What you're guaranteed to see are bright red crabs clinging like small dots to the black lava rock. If you haven't seen enough of the underwater world yet, you should take an excursion to Concha de Perla. You will reach the bay via a boardwalk - unless lazy sea lions are blocking your way, which you could find everywhere here if you're lucky.

After visiting the first two islands, we now arrive at Floreana Island in the south of the archipelago. Botanically and geologically, Floreana resembles Santa Cruz and Isabela. What you might not see at first glance is the mysterious history that it hides. Unlike many other Galapagos islands, Floreana has something you won't find elsewhere: drinking water. As simple as this may sound, this was precisely the reason why the first pirates claimed the island in the 17th century to ambush ships sailing from Mexico to Spain. It wasn't until 1929 that the land was repopulated when a German couple, the Ritters, wanted to start a new life here. They were followed by another family from Germany, the Wittmers, who were unknown to the Ritters.

The island's drama began when a lady named Eloise Baroness Wagner de Bousquet settled on Floreana with her two lovers. Instead of being called by her name, she wanted to be addressed as the 'Empress of Galapagos.' Quickly, a feud erupted between the families as the 'Empress' claimed the freshwater spring for herself and denied access to the other Germans. How the dispute ended is not exactly known. One day, the bodies of the two male lovers were found on the beach, and there was no trace of the Empress... Today you can still visit the cave where the Wittmer family lived for a long time and where their child was born. The only hotel on the island is, how could it be otherwise, run by the descendants of the Wittmer couple.

To all nature lovers out there, how do you like the Galapagos Islands? The breathtaking nature with its flora and fauna is truly a paradise for every nature lover! I immediately fell in love with the islands and their fascinating animals!