{"id":11897,"date":"2026-01-08T12:10:37","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T12:10:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/?p=11897"},"modified":"2026-01-08T12:21:31","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T12:21:31","slug":"7-interesting-facts-about-the-galapagos-islands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/cruise-tour\/7-interesting-facts-about-the-galapagos-islands\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Interesting Facts About the Galapagos Islands"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Galapagos-iguana-surveys-the-sea.jpg\" alt=\"A Gal\u00e1pagos marine iguana rests on volcanic rock, its textured scales lit by sun, overlooking vivid turquoise water and rugged coastal cliffs.\" class=\"wp-image-11907\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Galapagos-iguana-surveys-the-sea.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Galapagos-iguana-surveys-the-sea-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Galapagos-iguana-surveys-the-sea-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Galapagos-iguana-surveys-the-sea-730x410.jpg 730w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption>Marine iguanas are one of the Galapagos&#8217; most iconic creatures. Their appearence varies between islands and there are several subspecies, but these are the only iguanas on the planet that spend time in a marine environment, often diving to forage for algae. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Sat 600 miles off the coast of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/ecuador\/\">Ecuador<\/a>, the remote <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/ecuador\/the-galapagos-islands\/\">Galapagos<\/a> archipelago is made up of around 127 islands, islets and rocks. Formed by millennia of volcanic eruptions, some of which are still occurring today, the islands are best known for inspiring Charles Darwin\u2019s revolutionary Theory of Evolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now a bucket list destination for many and still a living laboratory for scientists and naturalists, exploring the Galapagos gives you access to some of the world\u2019s most extraordinary wildlife and unspoiled habitats. Spotting iconic giant turtles on land and playful sea lions out on the water, to mention just two, you\u2019ll get to see sights and species found nowhere else \u2013 a true once-in-a-lifetime experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many, many fascinating things to know about this incredible destination, but here are our favourite seven interesting facts about the Galapagos Islands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>1. What&#8217;s in a name?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The name <em>Insulae de los Galopegos<\/em> (\u201cIsland of the Tortoises\u201d) first appeared on a map in 1570. It\u2019s said that when 16<sup>th<\/sup>-century Spanish explorers first came across this remote archipelago in the Pacific, they noted the abundant giant tortoises and named the islands from the old Iberian word <em>galapago, <\/em>meaning either \u201csaddle\u201d (in reference to the tortoises\u2019 domed shells) or \u201ctortoise\u201d. However there seems to be a bit of a \u201cchicken or egg\u201d dilemma the more you read into it &#8211; were the islands named for the tortoises or the tortoises named for the island? This one you&#8217;ll have to decide for yourself!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Meeting-a-Galapagos-giant-tortoise.jpg\" alt=\"A smiling hiker kneels beside a massive Gal\u00e1pagos giant tortoise grazing in green grass, surrounded by dense forest in a peaceful natural setting.\" class=\"wp-image-11906\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Meeting-a-Galapagos-giant-tortoise.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Meeting-a-Galapagos-giant-tortoise-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Meeting-a-Galapagos-giant-tortoise-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption>The giant tortoise, 15 subspecies (three are now extinct) of which are only found on the Galapagos Islands, are the world&#8217;s largest living species of tortoise with a life span of well over 100 years!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2>2. The Galapagos Islands&#8217; animals are indifferent to people<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For millennia, most of the species born within the isolation of the islands have not had a native predator to evade, meaning they\u2019ve never had to develop much of a \u2018fight or flight\u2019 instinct. Visitors find that most Galapagos animals couldn\u2019t care less if a person gets close to them, and while this provides unparalleled wildlife viewing and encounters, it can threaten these unique environments, so there are strict rules in place that must be followed for their protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"666\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Friendly-Galapagos-sea-lion.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11904\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Friendly-Galapagos-sea-lion.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Friendly-Galapagos-sea-lion-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Friendly-Galapagos-sea-lion-768x511.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption>The most abundant sea mammel of the Galapagos archipelago, the Galapagos sea lions are known for their cheeky encounters with visitors, be they divers or people simply relaxing on the beach!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2>3. 97% of the Galapagos Islands is protected<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As such a globally significant ecosystem, 97% of the Galapagos Islands\u2019 land area has been a designated National Park since 1959, and the surrounding waters a vast Marine Reserve, to protect the plentiful unique endemic species and pristine landscapes. As protected as they are, the islands still need plenty of conservation and are a template for global conservation efforts too. The islands are also a <a href=\"https:\/\/whc.unesco.org\/en\/list\/1\/\">UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/a>, designated because of the exceptional ecosystems, animals and their role in Darwin\u2019s Theory of Evolution. In fact, the Galapagos Islands were the first natural site to be inscribed by UNESCO in 1978.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Beautiful-Galapagos-Beach.jpg\" alt=\"Golden sand curves along a quiet Gal\u00e1pagos beach as waves roll in, backed by lush green vegetation and a volcanic hill under a glowing sunset sky.\" class=\"wp-image-11905\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Beautiful-Galapagos-Beach.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Beautiful-Galapagos-Beach-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Beautiful-Galapagos-Beach-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Beautiful-Galapagos-Beach-730x410.jpg 730w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption>The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the planet&#8217;s most pristine and biodiverse environments, varying from barren, volcanic rock plateaus to lush vegetation to soft sand beaches. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2>4. Home to the only Northern Hemisphere penguins<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Galapagos Islands are home to the only species of penguins that live north of the Equator who, thanks to the cold, nutrient-filled waters of the Humboldt Current thrive in these warmer climes. These tropical penguins, a species endemic to the Galapagos, are living their best lives waddling about on land (mainly on Fernandina and Isabela islands), sunning themselves on beaches and streaking through the water, making them easily spottable for visitors. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Galapagos-penguin-on-a-rock.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11903\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Galapagos-penguin-on-a-rock.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Galapagos-penguin-on-a-rock-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Galapagos-penguin-on-a-rock-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption>The Galapagos penguin is the only one of 18 species of penguin that lives (just) in the northern hemisphere. It is unfortunately classified as highly vulnerable dues to the threats of climate change, food scarcity and human impact. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2>5. The Galapagos Islands have a fascinating postal tradition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Floreana Island is home to Post Office Bay, which got its name exactly the way you would expect! In the 18<sup>th<\/sup> century, crews on whaling vessels came up with an inventive way to get letters home to their families \u2013 a wooden barrel. The seamen would leave their correspondence in the barrel to be picked up by those on homeward voyages who would then deliver those letters when they were back on land. This tradition still happens today \u2013 visitors are able to leave letters or take those left to deliver on their return home. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"732\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Galapagos-Post-Office-Bay-barrel-1024x732.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11901\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Galapagos-Post-Office-Bay-barrel-1024x732.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Galapagos-Post-Office-Bay-barrel-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Galapagos-Post-Office-Bay-barrel-768x549.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Galapagos-Post-Office-Bay-barrel-1536x1097.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Galapagos-Post-Office-Bay-barrel.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>The tradition of Post Office Bay&#8217;s barrel post box started in the 18th century. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2>6. You can see all the constellations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Being hundreds of miles off the South American continent and with a tiny human population spread over four islands, the skies over the Galapagos, thanks to a lack of light pollution, are absolutely dazzling at night! Not only are they perfectly dark, the fact that the islands straddle the Equator means that you have the unique opportunity to spot constellations from both hemispheres at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"662\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Stars-of-the-Milky-Way.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11908\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Stars-of-the-Milky-Way.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Stars-of-the-Milky-Way-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Stars-of-the-Milky-Way-768x508.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption>The jet blacks skies over the Galapagos Islands allow the stars to blaze &#8211; you may even be able to make out the clouds of billions of stars that are part of the Milky Way.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2>7. You can visit the Galapagos Islands all year round<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Smack bang on the Equator, the Galapagos is an anytime destination. With only minimal changes in weather patterns and the vast majority of animals present throughout the year, you\u2019ll find that a cruise is operating whenever it suits you best. There are, however, things to consider when you are deciding the best time to visit. There are two \u2018seasons\u2019: a cool and dry one that runs from June to November, and a warm and wet one from December to May. The waters around the islands can be choppiest in August and September, so perhaps a time to avoid if you get seasick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Blue-Footed-Booby-looking-cool.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11909\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Blue-Footed-Booby-looking-cool.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Blue-Footed-Booby-looking-cool-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Blue-Footed-Booby-looking-cool-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption>Around half of all breeding pairs of the blue-footed booby are found on the Galapagos Islands. It is one of three species of boobies found here, along with the smaller red-footed booby and the larger Nazca booby.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2>Seeing the Galapagos Islands with Wendy Wu Tours<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>From the mystical lands of the Incas to the enthralling islands of the Galapagos, our Galapagos &amp; Machu Pi<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/cruise-tour\/\">cchu Cruise &amp; Tour<\/a> itinerary brings together two legendary destinations. Explore Peru by land, ticking off Machu Picchu before ticking off the must-see sights of Ecuador&#8217;s capital city Quito.<br \/><br \/>Then, fly to Baltra, an island of the Galapagos archipelago, where you&#8217;ll board the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/cruise-tour\/hx-expeditions\/ms-santa-cruz-ii\/\">MS Santa Cruz II<\/a>, your HX Expeditions ship for an eight-night cruise around the islands. Your days will be filled with adventure, guided by a team of expert naturalists; visiting the islands can be as active as you want it to be with snorkelling, kayaking and hiking all options to help you explore further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MS-Santa-Cruz-II-Galapagos-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11902\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MS-Santa-Cruz-II-Galapagos-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MS-Santa-Cruz-II-Galapagos-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MS-Santa-Cruz-II-Galapagos-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MS-Santa-Cruz-II-Galapagos-1536x768.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MS-Santa-Cruz-II-Galapagos.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>The MS Santa Cruz II is one of the most comfortable and stylish ways to experience the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands. Purpose-built for exploration yet designed with guests in mind, the ship carries just 90 passengers in 50 cabins, creating a relaxed and intimate atmosphere at sea.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"tour-container\"><div class=\"click-block\">\n                        <img src=\"\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/\/resource\/upload\/2958\/b87cd873983e4c72be53ebd643b92bfd.jpg.webp\"\/>\n                        <div class=\"click-block-details\">\n                        <h3>Galapagos Cruise & Machu Picchu<\/h3>\n                        <div><\/div>\n                        <p><strong>19<\/strong> days from <strong class=\"primary-red\">\u00a313990pp<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n                        <p class=\"green\">Inclusive of Tour, Cruise & Flights<\/p>\n                        <p>Explore Peru's Incan heritage - Visit Machu Picchu and Cusco - Stand on the Equator in Quito - Cruise the Galapagos Islands on MS Santa Cruz II - All-inclusive expedition cruise experience - Wildlife encounters including giant tortoises, penguins and sea lions<\/p>\n                        <\/div>\n                        <div class=\"\">\n                            <a class=\"primary-btn\" href=\"\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/\/peru\/tours\/peru-the-galapagos-islands.htm\">View Tour<\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sat 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the remote Galapagos archipelago is made up of around 127 islands, islets and rocks. Formed by millennia of volcanic eruptions, some of which are still occurring today, the islands are best known for inspiring Charles Darwin\u2019s revolutionary Theory of Evolution. Now a bucket list destination for many [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":11907,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":""},"categories":[316],"tags":[88,70,62,29],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v19.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>7 Interesting Facts About the Galapagos Islands<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover some fascinating facts about the enchanting Galapagos Islands, the world&#039;s most extraordinary nature destination!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.uk\/blog\/cruise-tour\/7-interesting-facts-about-the-galapagos-islands\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" 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