5 sights to capture on your Galapagos photo adventure

So, what are the five things that you simply must snap on your next Galapagos photo adventure?

Birds

You simply can’t expect to find anywhere in the world that offers richer birdlife than the Galapagos, around 170 species having been spotted here. From the endless variety of finches that enchanted Charles Darwin, right through to red and blue footed boobies, pelicans, penguins and albatross, this corner of the globe is a paradise for bird photographers.

Mammals & Marine life

Amazing giant tortoises and the iconic land and marine iguanas, with no fear of humans, abound and if you have ever wondered what occupies the depths of the sea, the abundant marine wildlife of Galapagos will give you a fair few answers. Turtles, crabs, whales, dolphins, sharks, rays… they are all represented, some of them only being visible to divers and snorkelers, so you will need to be prepared to get your feet wet!

Weather

One of the things that so captivates many photographers about Galapagos is the astonishing clarity of the local air, but there’s so much more about the islands’ climate that adds atmosphere and interest to the pictures taken here – from the sometimes dense fog to the frequent drizzles and cold winds that characterise the cooler months.

Natural scenery

Any Galapagos photo adventure will inevitably take in the islands’ diverse land and seascapes – after all, as a backdrop to the region’s spectacular wildlife and towns, they are as unavoidable as they are breathtaking, especially the volcanic landscapes, more reminiscent of the surface of the moon! You won’t run out of them, either, across the 18 main islands, three smaller islands and 107 rocks and islets.

Major towns

Yes, even the Galapagos have them – although ‘major town’ is defined slightly differently in this legendarily remote part of the world, with even the most populous town – Puerto Ayora – having a mere 12,000 inhabitants. The darker side of history is represented here too with the remains of a notorious prison colony on Isabela. Urban landmarks combine with rural landscapes to make for some similarly stimulating and oft-overlooked photography opportunities.