T he word ‘ unique ’ is so often bandied about in the world of travel that it ’ s lost much of its meaning . If it still applies anywhere , though , it ’ s surely on Ecuador ’ s remarkable Galápagos Islands , a truly singular destination adrift in the Pacific Ocean . Home to dozens of endemic species , here and only here you ’ ll find marine iguanas , rare subspecies of giant tortoise , and gregarious Galápagos mockingbirds . All that above the surface , but there ’ s much more below , too — an aquatic menagerie that ’ s among Earth ’ s most dazzling . All this wildlife is to be found on and around volcanic islands : some active , some dormant , all extraordinary .
SAN CRISTÓBAL ISLAND
A lot is made of Charles Darwin ’ s brief stint in the Galápagos in 1835 , but there ’ s no denying that San Cristóbal Island was his first stop . The great scientist explorer would develop his world-changing theories of evolution much later , but this was the first island to blow his febrile mind . It continues to have that effect on first-time visitors today . The administrative home of the islands , its main town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is home to an excellent museum : the San Cristóbal Interpretation Center , which explains the archipelago ’ s geological and evolutionary history , making it a fine place to visit before exploring further afield .
While cruises will head to San Cristóbal ’ s west and north shores , to incredible spots like Kicker Rock , from the town center there are excellent clifftop hikes and , a couple of miles to the south , a beach with a sea lion nursery . It offers the chance to swim with the mammals , plus its protected bay is frequently visited by Pacific green turtles .
Previous page : Bartolomé Island , with Santiago Island in the background Clockwise from top left : San Cristóbal Island ; blue-footed booby ; Black Turtle Cove images : getty ; awl images
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