BEST SPOTS FOR PHOTOGRAPHING WILDLIFE IN GALAPAGOS
BEST SPOTS FOR PHOTOGRAPHING WILDLIFE IN GALAPAGOS
Punta Suárez, Española: Known as "albatross airport," this site features the largest breeding grounds of the waved albatross in the Galápagos. Consequently, it's a great spot to capture the albatross as it lands and takes flight. Punta Suárez is also home to a number of other bird species, including Galápagos doves, finches, oystercatchers, and Galápagos hawks.
Isla Seymour Norte: Located next to Baltra, this small island is another prime spot for birding. Get up close and personal with blue-footed boobies and frigates, whose scarlet chests inflate like a balloon during mating season.
Punta Espinoza, Fernandina: Marine iguanas are the main attraction here. This is reportedly the largest marine iguana colony in the Galápagos Islands.
BEST GEAR TO PACK
Sunscreen: Because the Galápagos Islands are on the equator, the UV rays are fierce. Depending on the length of your trip, you may want to bring a couple bottles of lotion to ensure you're covered for the duration of the cruise, since you may be removed from civilization for several days. Sun protection clothing, like the kind that ExOfficio makes, is another great option to help protect your skin from the sun.
Hat: Other than sunscreen, this is probably the most important item you can bring, even if you wear sunglasses. It doesn't have to be fancy—a baseball cap will do just fine.
Daypack: Trust us, you won't want to leave home without this item. Whether you are on a cruise ship or just day hopping, having a small backpack for extra clothing, gear, energy bars, etc. is a must. Plus, carrying a backpack will allow you to keep your hands free on hikes—this can be helpful if you trip on the trail, as some of the volcanic rocks can be extremely sharp. Our favorite lightweight pack is Tom Bihn's Packing Cube Backpack, since it doubles as a packing cube.
Hiking shoes: Most trails are mellow and well marked, although rocks can be tricky to navigate and slippery if it rains, so having a comfortable pair of hiking shoes is important. Hiking boots, on the other hand, are not necessary. Hiking sandals (think: Teva or Chaco) are also a solid option, but these should only be brought as a back-up to your hiking shoes.
Camera: This is probably already on your list, but if it's not, go ahead and add it now—even if it's just the camera on your smartphone. Because you can get fairly close to wildlife in the islands, smartphones and point-and-shoots are more than adequate. If, however, you prefer to shoot with a DSLR, then you may want to bring a few different lenses with you. We recommend a wide angle and telephoto lens, as well as a 35 mm lens to capture details. Additionally, if you plan to go snorkeling, then a GoPro is a great option for filming underwater—just make sure you bring some anti-fog inserts for inside the camera's casing to prevent the lens from clouding up.
XShot 2.0 Camera Extender: This retractable camera extension packs small but delivers in big ways. It's great for getting those prized selfies with animals or for underwater filming while snorkeling and diving.
Waterproof jacket: During the wet season, this should be a must-have on your list, as you're bound to get rained on at some point during your trip. Even during the dry season, we'd recommend bringing a lightweight waterproof jacket to shield you from the wind.