Galapagos Adventure Sports: Diving with Darwin

The Galapagos Islands are a protected reserve known for their diversity of species. Now it would be easy to imagine that these islands are off limits to anyone other than bird spotters and naturists.

The truth is it's possible to enjoy adventure sports in the Galapagos Islands, provided you know where to go and what you can do. And when you find out what’s on offer just below the equator in this isolated adventure park, you’ll be adding them to your bucket list.

Touring the Island If you want to get the most from your visit, expect a lot of island hopping - there are 13 main islands in the archipelago and you'll get some of the best overall views from on board a tourist yacht. While aboard, look out for the distinctive jagged cliffs and colonies of blue-footed boobies and herons.

Ok, laidback island touring over; it’s time to find a little adventure...

Sea Kayaking Above the water you'll have plenty of interaction with local species - sea kayaking alongside bottle-nosed dolphins and seals, it's even possible you'll spot giant sea turtles. Launching from Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz island, you'll find yourselves paddling in what previously were lava channels. If you're not a shark lover it's time to stay upright; the waters here are home to white tips - as well as hammerheads.

Snorkelling and Scuba Diving As you'd expect there's plenty to see under the water...On Bartolome you can get in and snorkel under the Pinnacle rock and may even have a sea lion to swim with. There's also lots of snorkelling to be had on Santa Fe. Just a few metres from the shore there are marine iguanas, octopus, sea turtles and penguins - and they're not shy, so expect some company on your dives!

The sub-tidal zones of Floreana, Bart Island, Champion Island, and Wolf and Darwin are also favoured spots for reef diving. Whale sharks can be seen in the summer months and three types of ray congregate to mate.

With 300 species of fish, 17% endemic to the islands, you are in for a treat each time you dive - other aquatic residents to spot include barracuda, creole fish, rainbow wrass and black-striped salema.

Hiking and Trekking As Darwin collected his samples he noted a lack of predators and was in awe at the natural diversity - sadly, the first humans to settle weren’t so intrigued and capitalised on the tameness of local wildlife by hunting it.

Today, for anyone interested in the natural world, hiking here could be the trip of a lifetime. Isabela Island features one of the world's largest active volcanoes - from its enormous gaping caldera you'll be served up some of the best vistas in the region, while at lower altitudes there's lava tunnels and forests to discover.

Over on Bartolome Island there are a couple of golden beaches to walk along - and views across to Santiago that will stop you in your tracks...

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