If you love animals and wildlife, then the traveling to the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador are simply a must visit destination for you to vacation to.

A place of outstanding natural beauty, the Galapagos Islands is a place awash with adventure and discovery.

Located off the coast of mainland Ecuador, this small corner of the world has seemed to have been cut off from the rest of timely development, leaving a pristine natural wonder where things seemed to advance at a slower pace – leaving many wonders to be discovered.

Whether you decide to take a cruise to the Galapagos Islands, book a flight in, or simply sail there yourself the way I sailed the Paradise Coast of Florida, this is easily a vacation destination that you MUST add to your bucket list.

Need more reason to visit such a lush tropical paradise?  Read on to discover why you simply must visit the Galapagos Islands!

Reasons to Visit the Galapagos Islands

1.) Wildlife watching and so much more

The Galapagos Islands are probably the most famous wildlife-watching destination in the world.  Home to Charles Darwin’s ground-breaking theory of natural selection, scientists the world over still continue to flock to the islands to this day.

Made from stark lava formations, forests of cacti, lush highlands, sandy beaches and beautifully blue bays, there’s much more to the Galapagos than the wildlife – although it admittedly remains the main attraction.

2.) “Enchanted Isles” 

The Galapagos aren’t known as the “enchanted isles” without good reason.  They’re located 620 miles off the coast of Ecuador and at times feel as though they’re in their own little world; considering the fact they were discovered by accident in 1535, it’s little wonder why they remain in the pristine condition they’re in.

Constructed of 13 volcanic islands, six smaller islands and more than 100 islets each individual island has its own unique and distinctive atmosphere, with each harboring a unique set of inhabitants.  You can’t see all of the beautiful wildlife on only one island alone.

3.) Now is the time to visit! 

When you visit the Galapagos, you can see everything from the penguins living in the tropics to woodpecker finches and frigatebirds.  And that’s just on land, in the sea, there’s sea lions and tortoises who you can snorkel alongside; just like the experiences, you can have farther North on the Hawaiian Islands of Kauai.

There are natural wonders, too.  From sunbathing on lava rocks to lush forests and stunning bays, there are lots of places to catch a few rays.

In 2011, 170,000 tourists visited the Galapagos and that means that tourism is starting to be slightly more controlled.  It’s now possibly more tightly controlled than it is anywhere else in the world.  For example, only tiny parts of the National Park can be visited and tourists are accompanied by guides.  Now is probably the time to go, though, before visitor numbers are capped and the islands can be enjoyed in their full natural beauty.

4.) How do I get there? 

Due to the scattered nature of the islands and the restrictions on tourism, you’re best off booking your tours through a tour operator or simply sailing there yourself via a chartered (or purchased) sailboat.  Either way, you’re guaranteed to see the highlights from the many different islands and have the holiday of a lifetime.

Why would you like to visit the Galapagos Islands?