Why Is Galapagos Unlike Anywhere Else on Earth?

Born From Fire: The Islands That Rose From the Ocean

Only a few million years ago, none of these islands existed. Deep beneath the Pacific Ocean, a volcanic hotspot pushed molten rock toward the surface. Layer after layer of lava cooled and hardened until the Galapagos Archipelago rose above the sea.

As the Nazca Plate slowly moves eastward, older islands drift away while new volcanoes continue to emerge in the west. San Cristóbal and Española are among the oldest; Isabela and Fernandina remain young, active and constantly reshaped.

Evolution in Isolation

Separated from mainland South America, the first plants and animals that arrived had to adapt to unusual conditions. Over generations, isolated populations developed traits found nowhere else—one of the clearest living examples of evolution by natural selection.

A Living Laboratory

Marine iguanas feeding beneath the sea, flightless cormorants, giant tortoises and fearless sea lions make every island feel like a world of its own. The meeting of warm and cold ocean currents adds another layer of exceptional biological diversity.

Explore With Local Knowledge

The experience becomes more meaningful with a route built around the wildlife, seasons and protected visitor sites. Our Puerto Ayora team plans island-hopping packages and day tours with careful logistics and respect for the environment.