Hi, just returned from the Galapagos, and since there is a thriving dive industry down there, I thought I would let people know some of the things I learned down there, and offer myself up if you have any questions.
Getting there and getting back:
Nearly all flights to the Galapagos originate in either Quito or Guayaquil. Either one will work just fine to get you to the Galapagos, so dont forget to check both cities when you are comparison shopping for airline tickets from the US. Quito is a medium sized city in the lower Andes at about 9600 feet altitude. Guayaquil, the largest city in Ecuador, is a port city closer to sea level. Flight time to the Galapagos is about the same from either city, and you will find that many flights start in Quito, go first to Guayaquil, and then on to one of the two Galpagos airports. All other things being equal, I think I would choose to fly in and out of Guayaquil and save one leg of the these multi-leg flights.
There are two airports in the Galpagos: one on San Crystobal island and one on Baltra (small island seperated from the primary research island of Santa Cruz). Unless you book a package deal that includes inter-island transportation arrangements, you will need to pay attention to which ariport you fly in and out of. Most flights leaving Galapagos hit both of these two airports before heading to the mainland.
Cost of the airfare seemed pretty consistant, about $350 for Ecuadorian. One big issue: There is a big difference between travelling alone versus travelling in a designated group (complete with travel agency shephard to help make sure everyone gets on the flith). Flights are often overbooked. A group tour group will almost always get on, you might get bumped. This can be a real issue if you are trying to fly back to the states that day or the next.
By land or sea:
We did a four day ship-based tour, and then did two day in a hotel on Santa Cruz. I highly recommend the ship. A ship/boat will take you away from the human inhabited areas. The difference in wild life is huge. Our walking tour in Porta Ayora (pop 17000) yielded a total of 1 lava lizard, 2 marine iguanas, and some birds. A half day expidition on the uninhapbited islands yields thousands of animals, up close and personal.
There is a full range of boat/ship options: from small 12 guest "roughing it" boats all the way up to a 90 guest "cruise ship light" option. We went with the big boat, which provided some advantages and some draw backs. We had air conditioning, excellent dining, a smooth ride, lovely accomodations, a wide variety of passengers (so you don't get stuck hanging with people you may not get on with), long range cruising capability (which gets you to some of the Pacific side islands not normally available smaller boats), evening cocktails in a full bar, and an all around great experience. My wife did the Galapagos on a small 14 passenger boat three years ago: she felt that while the big boat was awesome, it took to long to get underway the first day and to get people on and off for the day time expeditions.
If you are goind for the scuba diving, I saw a whole lotta boats specifically outfitted for this, and a good number of dive shops as well. I don't dive yet, so I can only report on the snorkeling.
What you will see (especially by boat):
Sea Lions everywhere, three kinds of boobies (the birds, you pervs), Galapagos penguins, marine turtles, giant land tortoises, Albatrosses, marine Iguanes, land Iguanas, and many many species endemic only to the Galapagos Islands.
The Ecuadorian government mandates and subsidizes a very good naturalist program. This means many cruise boats have certified bi-lingual naturalists on board that do a fine job of explaining what you are seeing, how it came about, and why its important.
Regarding the fish: angels, wraises, butterflies, sergeant majors, rays, sharks, gobies, damsels, parrots, I dont know my fish well enough yet to be more specific. Lots of fish.
I snorkeled from land, and thus did not get to see a much coral.
I'll give part 2 of this report later, feel free to ask any question in this thread or PM me.
Getting there and getting back:
Nearly all flights to the Galapagos originate in either Quito or Guayaquil. Either one will work just fine to get you to the Galapagos, so dont forget to check both cities when you are comparison shopping for airline tickets from the US. Quito is a medium sized city in the lower Andes at about 9600 feet altitude. Guayaquil, the largest city in Ecuador, is a port city closer to sea level. Flight time to the Galapagos is about the same from either city, and you will find that many flights start in Quito, go first to Guayaquil, and then on to one of the two Galpagos airports. All other things being equal, I think I would choose to fly in and out of Guayaquil and save one leg of the these multi-leg flights.
There are two airports in the Galpagos: one on San Crystobal island and one on Baltra (small island seperated from the primary research island of Santa Cruz). Unless you book a package deal that includes inter-island transportation arrangements, you will need to pay attention to which ariport you fly in and out of. Most flights leaving Galapagos hit both of these two airports before heading to the mainland.
Cost of the airfare seemed pretty consistant, about $350 for Ecuadorian. One big issue: There is a big difference between travelling alone versus travelling in a designated group (complete with travel agency shephard to help make sure everyone gets on the flith). Flights are often overbooked. A group tour group will almost always get on, you might get bumped. This can be a real issue if you are trying to fly back to the states that day or the next.
By land or sea:
We did a four day ship-based tour, and then did two day in a hotel on Santa Cruz. I highly recommend the ship. A ship/boat will take you away from the human inhabited areas. The difference in wild life is huge. Our walking tour in Porta Ayora (pop 17000) yielded a total of 1 lava lizard, 2 marine iguanas, and some birds. A half day expidition on the uninhapbited islands yields thousands of animals, up close and personal.
There is a full range of boat/ship options: from small 12 guest "roughing it" boats all the way up to a 90 guest "cruise ship light" option. We went with the big boat, which provided some advantages and some draw backs. We had air conditioning, excellent dining, a smooth ride, lovely accomodations, a wide variety of passengers (so you don't get stuck hanging with people you may not get on with), long range cruising capability (which gets you to some of the Pacific side islands not normally available smaller boats), evening cocktails in a full bar, and an all around great experience. My wife did the Galapagos on a small 14 passenger boat three years ago: she felt that while the big boat was awesome, it took to long to get underway the first day and to get people on and off for the day time expeditions.
If you are goind for the scuba diving, I saw a whole lotta boats specifically outfitted for this, and a good number of dive shops as well. I don't dive yet, so I can only report on the snorkeling.
What you will see (especially by boat):
Sea Lions everywhere, three kinds of boobies (the birds, you pervs), Galapagos penguins, marine turtles, giant land tortoises, Albatrosses, marine Iguanes, land Iguanas, and many many species endemic only to the Galapagos Islands.
The Ecuadorian government mandates and subsidizes a very good naturalist program. This means many cruise boats have certified bi-lingual naturalists on board that do a fine job of explaining what you are seeing, how it came about, and why its important.
Regarding the fish: angels, wraises, butterflies, sergeant majors, rays, sharks, gobies, damsels, parrots, I dont know my fish well enough yet to be more specific. Lots of fish.
I snorkeled from land, and thus did not get to see a much coral.
I'll give part 2 of this report later, feel free to ask any question in this thread or PM me.
