There are many paradise islands distributed throughout all corners of the world; Bora Bora in French Polynesia, Holbox in Mexico, or even Fiji’s set of islands, to name a few.
However, there’s one in particular known for its beautiful beaches and unique flora and fauna, unique enough to capture the attention of many biologists, such as Charles Darwin, who formulated many theories describing the ability of native animals and plants to adapt to their environment; and this is none other than the Galápagos.
Although it is known as a great tourist destination, is it perfect for your family and kids? The answer will be in this article.
Where Is Galápagos
The Galápagos Archipelago (also known as “islas encantadas” by locals) lies in the Pacific Ocean, about 1,000 kilometers from the coast of Ecuador, and is one of the largest provinces of Ecuador.
Many of this region’s islands were formed when cooled lava hit the water, slowly expanding with every volcanic event. It is worth mentioning that most of Galápagos’ volcanoes (including Sierra Negra, Cerro Azul, and La Cumbre) are some of the most active volcanoes in the world.
How to Get to Galápagos?
Those who enjoy long trips with beautiful views will have the opportunity to board a luxury Galápagos cruise to reach the islands. These cruises depart from Guayaquil (Ecuador) and may take 3 to 4 days to reach their destination. Talk about a great experience as the children learn about the vast environment the world has to offer.
For some travelers, this can be a long trip, but the view is worth the wait. Imagine the sunset that signals the evening is coming, and the blue waters only seen on postcards. This is also an excellent opportunity for children to learn about this unique ecosystem.
The best part of all this is that, in some cases, these cruises include plans with activities on the islands, some of which will be mentioned below.
What to Do in Galápagos?
Once on land, it’s time to check what this archipelago has to offer. Given that it has some of the best islands in the world, it is no surprise that many of these activities are fantastic for kids.
Tours to Meet the Flora & Fauna
As described at the beginning of this article, the Galápagos are well known for their flora and fauna, one of the most diverse in the world. Here you can see giant turtles, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, sea iguanas, and many types of birds that use this archipelago both for nesting and resting from their travels.
The best part of all this is that there are plenty of excursions to visit the archipelago’s islands, some of which are perfect for those curious little ones as they learn about the region’s flora and fauna. Some of the best places to visit are buried deep in this archipelago.
Adding to all that, the region has some peculiar flora that, although similar to that of other regions, has caught the attention of scientists and experts due to its unusual behavior, something fascinating for the explorer-type of kid.
Hiking
Besides animals and plants found in Galápagos, there are many other activities for those with higher energy levels, and hiking is probably the most popular. This region is known for its many hiking routes, which can be taken alone or with expert guides—the latter being the best option if traveling with kids.
These routes not only offer fantastic opportunities to connect with nature, but the final destinations of the hiking — especially on the mountain summits — offer views that can only be seen on TV documentaries.
This is also an excellent opportunity to learn more about the region’s history and its distinctive volcanic activity, which is extremely important to scientists and researchers because it shapes the region’s unique flora and fauna.
Snorkel
Practicing snorkeling in Galápagos has become quite popular for those who want to see up close the beautiful underwater ecosystem of the archipelago. This ecosystem includes many fantastic sea creatures, such as sharks, penguins, sea lions, turtles, and more; and for interest the children can look around and learn how the volcanic activity of Galápagos has reshaped the islands.
Now, there are many specific destinations worth exploring underwater, but based on many tourists’ opinions, the following are fantastic to explore with your family and kids:
- Los Túneles (Isabela): A volcanic rock formation, half underwater and with a peculiar circular shape.
- Corona del Diablo (Floreana): A rock formation with strong currents and many colorful corals.
- Kicker Rock (San Cristóbal): A massive rock that can be seen from the coast due to its size.
A Trip to the Beach
It won’t be a complete list of activities without including a trip to the beach, and Galapagos has some of the best beaches in the world. The best thing about the beaches here is that they mix all three activities mentioned before: you can see many animals resting on the white sand, take a walk to reach some of these virgin destinations, and, in some cases, the deep waters are perfect for snorkeling.
In any case, each beach in Galápagos offers an experience perfect for both adults and kids. Now, for those looking for the best of the best, the tourists agree that these are prime options to visit:
- Tortuga Bay (Santa Cruz): Perfect for swimming and kayaking.
- Bahía Gardner (Española): Known for the sea lions that often visit the beach.
- Cerro Brujo (San Cristóbal): A destination perfect for resting and snorkeling.
With this guide, no activity will be left behind when visiting Galápagos with kids. The archipelago isn’t only a place to enjoy but also an excellent destination for kids to learn about the nature that surrounds them.
