Are you looking for a tourist destination which offers the perfect combination of natural beauty,  wonderful wildlife and  spectacular sea beaches? The Galapagos Islands can prove to be one of the  best tourist destinations for you! The Galapagos Islands are a chain of Islands situated around 1000 kilometers away from the South American continent in the pacific ocean.  According to geologists, these Islands were formed thousands of years ago due to volcanic activities. 

Islands which are a part of the Galapagos chain of Islands

Some of the main Islands which are a part of the Galapagos chain of Islands are- North Seymour Island, Pinzon Island, Marchena  Island, Fernandina Island, Pinta Island, Rabida Island, San Cristobal  Island, Santa Fe Island, Santiago Island, Santa Cruz Island, Wolf Island, Florena Island, Espanola Island, Darwin Island, Isabela Island, Genovesa Island, Bartolome Island, and the Baltra Island. It also consists of minor Islands like- Nameless Island, South Plaza Island and Daphne Major. Galapagos Islands not only offer peaceful surroundings, but also offers  wildlife with thousands of plants and animal species which can only be seen on these Islands.

Geologists suggest that Galapagos Islands were never been a part of any continent. They also suggest that the wildlife present on these Islands arrived because of swimming, floating and flying. In 1835, these Islands were visited by Charles Darwin. Some of the  unusual animals found  on these Islands are – giant tortoise, various types of  finch, and  the land iguana.

Heaven for Mammal and Reptile smugglers 

Every year Ecuadorian authorities arrest hundreds of smugglers who try to smuggle mammals, reptiles and other aquatic species out of the Galapagos Islands. According to recent reports, seven foreigners were arrested by Ecuadorian authorities in June 2013, as these foreigners were trying to smuggle 1,313 sea cucumbers in their luggage. These sea cucumbers were detected by the x-ray scanners.

Let’s take a look at some points to know more about the wildlife on the Galapagos Islands

Most of the travelers visit the Galapagos Islands to witness its amazing wildlife. Just imagine! What will be your reaction if a sea lion pup crosses your way while you are diving? This is what the aquatic life on the Galapagos Islands has to offer!

Aquatic life

The Galapagos Islands are the perfect destination for visitors who wish to enjoy various water sports. There are several sea beaches, but beaches on the Santiago Island, and the Gardner bay beach on Espanola Island are popular tourist spots to enjoy various water sports.

The Gardner bay beach

The  Galapagos Islands are a dream destination for divers who wish to be under water for hours, and enjoy the spectacular aquatic wildlife. Unfortunately, marine animals are facing threats from Galapagos Islands’ fishing industry. Some species are protected by the marine reserve, however they  are still hunted illegally.

The Galapagos Islands are home to aquatic species like- Galapagos hermit crab, ghost crab, sally-light foot crab, sea cucumber,green sea urchin, scalloped hammerhead shark, white-tipped reef shark, black tipped reef shark, and the famous Galapagos Shark.

Mammals on the Galapagos Islands

It offers aquatic mammals like- common dolphin, bottle-nosed dolphin, sperm whale, minke whale, bryde’s whale, hump back whale, short  fin pilot whale Galapagos fur seal and Galapagos sea lion. Some of the land mammals found on these Islands are- hoary bat, Galapagos bat, black or ship rat, and the Galapagos rice rat.

Reptiles on on the Galapagos Islands

Reptiles on the Galapagos Islands can do something which reptiles found in any other part of the planet fail to do! Reptiles on the Galapagos Islands can survive without water and food for a long period of time. The Galapagos Islands are famous for its giant tortoise, which is considered as a mascot for these Islands.

The giant tortoise 

Some of the other reptiles found on these Islands are- hood racer- snake, striped galapagos snake, banded Galapagos snake, Galapagos green turtle, marine iguana, land iguana, Santa Fe land iguana, Galapagos leaf-toed gecko, San Cristobal leaf-toed gecko.

Home to several endangered bird species 

Almost all the researchers who work on research related to birds from around the world might be aware of various bird species found on the Galapagos Islands. It is home to hundreds of bird species, may it be cormorants, frigate birds, flamingo or boobies.

Flamingo

So, if you wish to spend your vacation like never before, just check your account balance and plan your vacation on the Galapagos Islands!

By- Nitten Gokhaley

Nitten writes for several websites and a newspaper called Life 365. He writes on variety of topics like Health, Travel, Business, Hollywood, Gadgets, Life style, Automobile, Politics, Science, Sociology, Psychology and more.

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