Galapagos Islands information

Every island in the Galapagos is different one from the other and all this is due to how they were formed. If the 4,600 million years of Earth´s history will be simulated in 24 hours, the Galapagos Islands had been formed in the last two minutes of that day. The 19 islands and 219 islets were created by successive volcanic eruptions over a hot spot located on the seafloor of the Nazca Plate. The first of them emerged in the middle of the Pacific Ocean about 5 million years ago. The islands are settled on the Nazca Plate and move about 5 centimeters a year eastward. That is why the oldest islands of the archipelago are far about 200 kilometers east from the youngest islands that are still above the hot spot.

Explore the Enchanted Islands

1) Isabela Island. 2) North Seymour Island. 3) South Plaza Island. 4) Santa Fe Island. 5) Santa cruz Island. 6) Bartolome Island. 7) Mosquera Island. 8) Santiago Island. 9) Rabida Island. 10) Floreana Island. 11) Genovesa Island. 12) Española Island. 13) San Cristobal Island. 14) Fernandina Island.

Dolphins- Mammals | Galapagos Islands Animals and Wildlife

Dolphins are cetaceans that live in waters where there is an abundant food supply. Some species of dolphins prefer to live in the Galapagos and remain around the archipelago for years, making of the islands their permanent home. Some others go through the archipelago in migration paths.

The usual sightings in the islands are the bottlenose dolphin, the Risso’s dolphin, and the common dolphin, which can be seen swimming next to our cruise or in panga rides. During the migration months (from June to October), there is a special occasion where species such as killer whales, spotted dolphins, Fraser’s dolphins, pilot whales, striped dolphins, and more can also be seen around Isabela and Fernandina islands.

Their diet consists of small fish, crustaceans, squids, and other cephalopods.

The bottlenose dolphin can be seen in small or large pods and can be identified by its long snout and gray body. It prefers deep, cooler waters and varies in length from 2 to 4 m. It is a friendly and curious animal that will approach divers and, in recorded cases, will even help them when injured or in danger.

Risso’s dolphin can be recognized by its big head, absent snout, scarred skin, and small teeth. It prefers temperate waters and it has a dorsal fin similar to a shark. The skin is grey and of a lighter gray on the chin. It has an average length of 3.8 m. It lives in pods of 3 to 50 individuals and can swim along with other cetaceans such as whales or other dolphins.

Three species make up the genus of the common dolphin: the short-beaked dolphin, the long-beaked dolphin, and the Arabian common dolphin. Their habitat is in warm deep waters between the subtropical and tropical regions. Physically, they look similar to the striped dolphin, although they have a soft white pattern on the sides and in the tail. The common dolphin can grow to a length between 1.7 to 2.4 m and may travel in large groups.