Ecuador & Galapagos Blog – The perfect travel guide

Galapagos Marine Sanctuary: 6 facts about Wolf & Darwin Islands in Galapagos and the astounding wildlife and flora that inhabits the area. An unbelievable array of colors; trumpetfish, trevally barracuda, parrotfish, angelfish, surgeonfish and the delightful racoon butterflyfish inhabit the area. Not to mention the vast schools of hammerheads or close encounters with individuals plus eagle rays, Galapagos sharks and turtles. It is truly a high point in any hard-core diver’s career. Well, the good news is that on 2016, the Ecuadorian state announced the creation of the Galapagos marine sanctuary, together with 21 smaller conservation areas scattered through the volcanic archipelago, protecting over 18,000 square miles (47,000 square kilometers), or about one third of the water around the Galápagos Islands. The new sanctuary alone encompasses 15,000 square miles (40,000 square kilometers) and extends around the northern Galapagos Islands of Darwin and Wolf. Just in case, National Marine Sanctuaries are protected waters that include habitats such as rocky reefs, kelp forests, deep-sea canyons, and underwater archaeological sites. Both, Darwin and Wolf are some of the highlights in any Galapagos Live-aboard Cruise trip. Here are some quick and interesting 6 facts about Wolf & Darwin Galapagos Marine Sanctuary you might like to know;   1. The whole area around Darwin and Wolf, now a protected marine reserve, is about the ssame size of Belgium  -  15,000 square miles (38,000 sq km)     2. It holds the greatest concentration of marine sharks in the world.     3. The Galapagos Marine reserve includes more than 34 different species of shark, including the largest shark species, the filter-feeding whale shark, the migratory hammerhead shark and the Galapagos shark.     4. Shark populations around the world come here to rest and breed the new reserve will guarantee complete sanctuary for them. 5. It is

Some interesting Galapagos Giant Tortoise FactsThe Galapagos Islands are indeep very famous for its evolutionary history and diversified flora and fauna. The blue sea water, the variety of colored soils and abundance of endemic species of animals and birds are all major attractions for travelers. But nothing fascinates travelers and scientific community alike than the chance to get a close view of the giant tortoises, commonly known as Galapagos tortoises or Galapagos giant tortoises.Quick FactsGalapagos tortoises are the world’s largest tortoises. There are some types of these that exceed 5 feet (1.5 meters) in length and weigh almost 550 pounds (250 kilograms). Their large bodies are covered by a protective layer of a hard shell, which is dull brown in color. Their shells are of two types; dome shaped and saddle-back. They mostly live on grasses, berries, lichens and leaves. These tortoises have a very high longevity, ranging from 155 to 175 years. They are mostly found in Isabela, Floreana, Pinta and Santa Cruz islets of the Ecuador Galapagos Islands. The longer life span of the tortoises has been a subject of great researches all over the world. The average life of these tortoises is 155 years. There are various reasons as to how they can survive for such a long time, some of which are mentioned below:  Why do they live longer?Storage of water and moisture: They acquire a lot of moisture from the sap present in the vegetation they eat and from dew. They can drink a lot of water quickly when thirsty and can store it in the root of their necks and in bladders, which work as storage tanks. Therefore, they survive for a long time without food and water, which could be even as long as 18 months.Metabolism: Another reason of such long life is their

Galapagos Islands Beaches If you are craving for a beach vacation with a little twist, a trip to Galapagos Islands beaches, Ecuador would be the ideal choice for you. Galapagos Islands beaches are truly unique. While you can rewind lying on the white sand beaches, surrounded by mangroves, you can also enjoy the beauty of the hidden cloves and black lava beaches at this place. In fact, there are beaches with green sand in Galapagos, where you can see friendly animals like pelicans, iguanas and sea lions, roaming around freely. If you are planning to visit, here's a short list of the best beaches in Galapagos that you just can't afford to miss.   Bachas Beach, Santa Cruz  With a stretch of one kilometer of blue water and white sand, this happens to be one of the most spectacular beaches of the Galapagos. Located at a distance of 2.5 km from Puerto Ayora, the beach is a nice place for surfing. Here, you can also enjoy snorkeling and other water sports and explore the amazing marine wildlife of Galapagos. If you would rather prefer a relaxing swim, you can walk to the end of the beach to reach the tranquil lagoon at Playa Mansa.   Gardner Bay Beach, Espanola Island This is a beach with spectacular views, where the tourists can expect a close interaction with the friendly sea lions. This, too, is a great place for snorkeling as you can enjoy the views of white-tipped reef sharks and countless tropical fishes. It is also a great beach for the bird watchers, especially those who love Pelicans.   Puerto Villamil, Isabela This is one of the most secluded beaches of Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, away from all the hustle-bustle of the city. This wide white-sand beach is home to a lot of