Cruises usually have 2 snorkelling activities each day and you don't waste daylight time travelling from one island to the next. Either you travel at night or while you're having lunch. We went there for a week and took a Cruise for 5 days.
When you're not on a Cruise, you have to travel on a 3 motor speed boat. Everyone rushes to take a seat as far back as possible, because otherwise you'll have a "Rodeo Drive" of 2 1/2 hours, more so in the afternoon when it gets more windy.
Must see Islands:
1.- Santa Cruz: Giant Tortoises, Twin Craters, Lava Tunnels, Giant Tortoises Breeding Center, Puerto Ayora, Tortuga Bay (long walk but disregard the signs and go snorkeling), Playa Las Bachas (Snorkelling & Flamingos) & Islas Plazas (Sea Lions, Red Ringed Eye Seagulls)
2.- Isla Santa Fe: Great for snorkeling
3.- Isla Bartolomé: A must see Cover portrait of Galapagos, Humboldt Penguins, great for snorkeling and right in front of it, on Santiago Island, the Lava Fields
4.- Isla San Cristobal: Giant Tortoises, Puerto Baquerizo with it's airport and beaches crowded with sea lions, Ghost town El Progreso, bird watching.
5.- Isabela: Largest Island, Giant Tortoises, 6 Volcanoes, Puerto Villamil
6.- Fernandina: Volcano active & largest population of Sea Iguanas
7.- Espa?ola: Sea Lions & Albatros
8.- Seymour North: Sea birds like Fragatebirds & Blue Foot Boobies
It's hard to visit all these islands in just one trip. I didn't go to Espa?ola, Isabela, Fernandina. For that matter you'll need more than a week.
December is a good time for visit Galapagos Islans because december sees giant tortoise eggs hatching until April. Green sea turtles start their mating rituals. The rainy season is only just starting and on the whole the weather is great. You must visit Santa Cruz Island. Interesting points:
Breeding Center Fusto Llerena, here are the species of freshwater turtles and tortoises from various islands.
Las Grietas, this landscape is made made up of interesting fissures of lava, that form two giant walls.
El Garrapatero, it is beautiful beach where you can enjoy of paradise turquoise water, behind the beach is a gap where there are flamingos, black-necked pin.
Toruga Bay, it is one of the largest beaches of white sand of the archipielago, an excellent place for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, surfing or simply walkings.
Los Gemelos, subsidence is formed by series of eruptions when the islands werw still active.
Giant Turtle reserve, in the upper part of the island giant tortoises can be found wandering freely through the rea around the lagoon.
Islote Caama?o, the loberia es a small islet and perhaps the only place where you can swim, snorkel or dive with sea lions in any time of the year.
Playa de los Perros, to reach this site it is necesary to take a water taxi from Puerto Ayora, 10 minutes. From here, it is posible to walk along the shoreline of the beach.
Another island is Isabela this is very beautiful.
Source:
http://welcometogalapagos.com
Santa Cruz and San Cristobal have airports and are the most popular while Santa Cruz probably offers the best accommodations and sightseeing. Consider a cruise to visit the other islands. As far as island adventures go, Rapa Nui is an unforgettable destination where few tourists go. But it is small and only takes a few days to see it all. Onward travel from Rapa Nui will take you to Tahiti and on to New Zealand or Australia..both are fantastic December destinations.
don't miss TORTUGA BAY :)
Hi, this December, my family is planning a trip to the Galapagos Islands. What island should we visit if we like beaches, clear waters, snorkeling, and the Galapagos turtle and penguin! and if you have any other suggestions about places we could go in the winter, please leave a suggestion below. Thanks :)
