Galapagos Islands – Iguana,cr-bestourism.com

For travelers who enjoy some of the most natural scenes that Earth has to offer, visiting the Galápagos Islands is a dream come true. This archipelago is home to numerous islands, many natural ecosystems and countless different rare and unique animal species. There is a lot to see on the different islands, and one of the best ways to do so is by boat.

Here are three different sights you can’t miss while visiting the Galápagos Islands, especially if it is a short trip as part of longer travels in the region:

1. Bartolomé Island

Bartolomé Island is one of the most popularly visited places in the Galápagos Islands. It is a volcanic island located just east of Santiago Island and is one of the youngest of all of the islands in the Galápagos region. One of the most known sites in the entire chain of island, Pinnacle Rock, is located on Bartolomé Island. Visitors flock here to snorkel around the rock and hike to the top of the island’s volcanic cone in order to experience some of the best views the islands have to offer.

2. Tagus Cove

Situated on the western side of Isabela Island, Tagus Cove is a beautiful natural cove that has been a safe harbor for boats and visitors to the island for over three centuries. Protected on two sides by the walls of volcanic craters, Tagus Cove provides a calm refuge to some of the most exotic wildlife that you will find in the Galápagos Islands. Galápagos penguins and hawks are commonly found in the area, and the cove’s waters are teeming with tropical marine life.

3. Charles Darwin Research Station

Located on the second largest island in the Galápagos region, Santa Cruz, the Charles Darwin Research Station is a free attraction that is dedicated to studying and preserving the wildlife and ecological resources of the Galápagos Islands. Both scientists and eco-tourists alike flock to the research station to find out more about the conservation and research efforts taking place on the islands, as well as to see first-hand some of most popular species of wildlife native to the area.

Ways To See The Sights By Boat

A trip to the Galápagos Islands can be enjoyed exponentially more when done by boat. There are multiple different ways to achieve this once-in-a-lifetime experience including large cruises, smaller ships and even privately-chartered yachts. Boat trips in the area can be schedule for anywhere from just a few days to weeks or even longer. Local speedboats are a great way to get between the islands quickly and make the most of your trip, while more costly cruise tours such as those offered by National Geographic can provide much more insight into the local environment and ecosystems. Maritime resources by OnboardOnline can help educate you more on the different boating options available for the islands.

Private yachts are one of the most popular ways for visitors to experience all that the Galápagos Islands have to offer. These boats can be privately chartered to ensure the highest quality and most personal trip possible. There are five different ports throughout the islands, and yachts are able to be docked for up to twenty-one days. Through special permits from the Galápagos National Park Director, visitors staying on a yacht organized through a locally licensed yacht agency may be able to extend their stay longer or include multiple port destinations to their trip.

Careful planning should be done ahead of time to ensure you get the most enjoyment out of your trip to the Galápagos Islands. Creating a detailed itinerary of the sights you want to see will allow you to make sure that you don’t miss a thing. The three destinations listed here are only a fraction of the most popular places on the islands and should simply be a starting place for planning you trip. If you want to truly experience the islands and their wildlife inhabitants, exploring the various boating options available will take your Galápagos journey to the next level.

Tim Baker is an experienced traveler who has seen some of the most beautiful sights in the world. Tim loves sharing his experiences on travel blogs and is passionate about seeing as much of the natural world as he has the opportunity to.