These 10 Photos that will make you want to visit the Galapagos Islands right now. The Galapagos Islands are off the west coast of Ecuador in South America. They consist of a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. It’s considered one of the world’s foremost destinations for wildlife viewing due to the endemic species to the different islands.

You can view sea life such as various species of sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, flamingos, giant tortoises, sea horses and so much more. After you see these 10 photos, you will want to go visit the Galapagos Islands RIGHT NOW.

10 Photos of the Galapagos Islands that Will Make You Want to Visit Right Now

10 Photos that Will Make You Want to Visit the Galapagos Islands Right Now

1. San Cristobal

Swim with sea turtles in San Cristobal – these gentle giants are hundreds of years old and are endemic to the Galapagos Islands. San Cristobal is known for the largest colony of sea lions that reside on the island. Check out the famous 360 tour while you’re there and see all the main highlights the island has to offer.

2. Isabela

The Galápagos penguin is a penguin endemic to the Galápagos Islands and Ecuador. It is the only penguin found north of the equator. Most inhabit Fernandina Island and the west coast of Isabela Island.

3. Bartolome Island

Bartolomé is the most visited and most photographed island in Galapagos. Visitors can view the overlook at two sites: one involves a moderate climb up a series of stairs to an incredible viewpoint. If you continue further up the hill, you can see further out.

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4. Santa Cruz

Another island in Ecuador’s Galápagos National Park is Santa Cruz. It’s known for sandy beaches like El Garrapatero. The city of Puerto Ayora is the archipelago’s tourism hub. Santa Cruz is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station and has a breeding program for endangered giant tortoises, which live wild in El Chato Reserve. You can also visit Tortuga Bay which attracts marine iguanas.

5. North Seymour

North Seymour Island is a small island near Baltra Island in the Galápagos Islands. It was formed by an uplift of a submarine lava formation and is now covered with all different species of birds, including the famous Frigate. During mating season, the Frigate will puff up their red chests to attract a mate making for a beautiful display of color.

10 Photos of the Galapagos Islands that Will Make You Want to Visit Right Now

6. South Plazas

South Plaza is a small island off the east coast of Santa Cruz in the Galápagos Islands and was formed by lava streaming from the bottom of the ocean. This island is famous for its bright red vegetation. The island floor is covered with Sesuvium, also known as Galapagos Carpetweed. During the rainy season (February to May) the carpet is lush green. But in the dry season (June to January) the colors change to spectacular red, orange, and purple tones.

6. Land Iguana

The Galápagos land iguana is a very large species of lizard and is one of three species that you can find on the islands. It is endemic to the Galápagos Islands, in the dry lowlands of the islands of Fernandina, Isabela, Santa Cruz, North Seymour, Baltra, and South Plaza.

7. Off the Coast of Isabela

There are various ray species in Galapagos – this is the golden ray which is sometimes hard to spot due to its sandy color providing great camouflage against the sea floor. Golden rays get their name from their golden-colored tops. They vary in size and average about 1.5-3.3 ft across their wings.

8. Sulphur Mines on Isabela

Sulfur mines - 10 Photos that Will Make You Want to Visit the Galapagos Islands Right Now

Sulfur Mines are located on the west side of the Sierra Negra Volcano. To reach them, you must embark on an 11 km trail that begins at the Control booth “El Cura”. It goes through the western side of Sierra Negra and continues to the interior of the caldera by a high-inclination slope where it finally reaches the various sulfur fumaroles.

9. Las Tintoreras Islet

Las Tintoreras Islet is an islet in the south bay off Puerto Villamil on the island of Isabela and is one of the most visited places on Isabela Island. It gets its name from the white-tip shark, locally known as tintoreras.

10. Blue Footed Boobies

The mating season for blue-footed boobies occurs between June and August. Courtship is preceded by an elaborate ritual, which begins with the male presenting the female with a small stick or stone. He then proceeds to lift his feet one at a time to show off how blue it is. The bluer the feet mean the bird has a healthy diet. Then he will flay back his wings and give a distinct whistle sound.