I love the ocean and everything in it. In the seventies, while living on the Greek Island of Crete, I spent hours snorkeling over submerged Minonian roads. As a young adult I learned to scuba dive during a summer on Kaua’i. I’ve often told my friends that in another lifetime I would be an underwater archeologist. I daydream about diving the ruins of Alexandria, discovering lost aquatic cities near Japan or getting up close and personal with a whale.
As you can imagine, exploring the Galapapos Islands has been at the top of my “to do” list for as long as I’ve had a “to do” list. But, while my desire grew, my bank account did not. Not to be deterred, I began looking for ways to accomplish my trip with all its niceties but not the price tag.
What I found was a land based tour sponsored by the Red Mangrove Galapagos Lodges. The rate agreed with my finances with an average 40% savings over the cruise ships but would the experience equal my expectations?
LODGING
The answer was a resounding YES! We ferried between islands, spending the night in comfy lodges like the Adventura Lodge on Santa Cruz (above) or custom built cabins on Floreana (pictured below).
THE ISLANDS
The government has set aside 97% of the Islands as a National Park and tourist are not allowed in the park at any time without being escorted by a Naturalist.
MarieElena, our Natuarlist, met us at the airport and didn’t leave my side for the entire tour. Her knowledge and love of the islands and animals added a depth to my trip that was invaluable.
THE ANIMALS
Overwhelming. There are no words to describe all that I saw and experienced but I will try.
Part of every day was spent snorkeling off of different islands. Enormous schools of skipjack, barracuda and even sardines engulfed me. They swam to an internal symphony that mesmerized me and parted ways to allow me to pass. It was if I was living in a National Geographic special!
Near Isabella, I swam through narrow lava tunnels. Schools of little shrimp floated at the top of the water, filling the view in my mask. Orange crabs clung to the walls, a variety of different colors fusing together that weren’t noticeable except at close range. In the lagoon next to me, baby seals played in the safety of the shallows while their mommas fished.
On Floreana, a black beach gave way to a peaceful cove. And in that cove I found myself face to face with a seal, as curious about me as I was about him. His big brown eyes and playfulness left me breathless.
Everywhere you looked, land or sea was filled with wildlife. Giant tortoises, penguins, flamingos, iguanas, blue footed boobies, spotted sting rays, sea turtles, eels, and the ever present Darwin finches. Those little birds were so fearless they wanted to land on you.
BENEFITS OF A GALAPAGOS LAND TOUR
1. Small groups. My group was never larger than eight and often less. Cruise ship sizes are usually larger.
2. Lower costs.
3. Freedom to explore the islands on your down time, away from your group. Being stuck on a boat with a group of strangers can sometimes be a bit claustrophobic.
4. Land tours are more eco-friendly than cruises.
5. No dining or sleeping with rolling decks beneath you. And room on land tend to be bigger than on a boat, where space is a luxury.
I wouldn’t have met this handsome guy on a boat, as he had taken up residence at one of my hotels.
Have you been on a Galapagos Land Tour? Or by cruise ship? I would love to hear your opinion.
Photo Credits:
Adventura Lodge: Red Mangrove Lodge
Blue Footed Boobies: Red Mangrove Lodge
All Other Photos : Jennifer Blair