Free Online GALAPAGOS Travel Guide
The ultimate online Galapagos travel guide with island walkthroughs and first-hand stories. Galapagos guidebook with maps and stunning photographs.Welcome to the Free Online Galapagos Travel Guide
Back in 2017, I embarked on an incredible journey to bring the wonders of the Galapagos Islands to readers like you through the hard copy of the Galapagos Travel Guide, called “GALÁPAGOS”. The voyage was magical, and it warmed my heart to see readers immerse themselves in this paradise’s splendid narratives and vibrant visuals.
Now, six years later, I am thrilled to reopen this treasure trove of experiences, reaching out to an even wider audience through the digital realm. I decided it was time to share the enchantment that the Galapagos Islands hold with friends from around the globe.
Here we are, setting sail again on this digital voyage. A journey that promises to be as exhilarating and enriching as the first, if not more. Let the “GALÁPAGOS” whisper tales of wonder and adventure to your eager soul, narrating the enchanting symphony of life reverberating in every nook and cranny of this remarkable corner of Earth.
Choose between a signed hard copy, which you can order on this website, or use the online version of the Galapagos Travel Guide for free. I will add chapters one by one and hopefully refresh some photographs and information gathered during my travels.
Ready to rekindle this adventure? Let’s embark on this journey anew!
While you are waiting for completion of the Galapagos Travel Guide, join my Facebook group We ❤️ Galapagos! for spectacular photographs and first-hand information from the islands.
All rights reserved. The rights of Josef Litt to be identified as the author of this work have been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988, Sections 77 and 78. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the permission of the copyright owner.

Marine iguanas basking in the sun at Punta Espinoza on Fernandina Island
© 2017 Josef Litt
Online Galapagos Travel Guide:
Contents
The Islands and the Ocean
- A Fiery Melting Pot
- Hotspot Theory
- Galapagos on Tectonic Plates
- Volcanic Activity
- A Most Unusual Climate
- Oceanic Currents
- Seasons
- El Niño Southern Oscillation
History
- Arrival of Life
- Colonised by Humans
- First Footprints
- Stumbled upon by Spaniards
- Early Maps
- Pirates and Buccaneers
- Whalers’ Menace
- Whaling Battle of 1813
- Robinson Pat
- The Novel Writer
- Haven of Peace
- The Most Prominent Visitor
- The Pirate of the Guayas
- José de Valdizán
- Manuel Julián Cobos
- The Murder Mystery
- Americans on Baltra
- Evolution of the Theory
- Modern History
- Environmental Institutions
- One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
- Project Isabela
- Tanker Jessica
- World Heritage in Danger
- Positive Changes
- Special Law of 2015
Inimitable Nature
- Vegetation Zones
- Coastal or Littoral Zone
- Arid Zone
- Transition Zone
- Scalesia Zone
- Miconia Zone
- Brown Zone
- Pampa Zone
- Iconic Species
- First Footprints
- Giant Tortoises
- Boobies
- Marine Iguanas
- Land Iguanas
- Darwin’s Finches
- Flightless Cormorants
- Galapagos Penguins
- Waved Albatrosses
A Journey through the Islands
- Española
- Punta Suárez
- Bahía Gardner
- Dive Sites
- San Cristóbal
- La Lobería
- Laguna El Junco
- La Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado
- La Galapaguera Natural
- Puerto Chino
- León Dormido
- Cerro Brujo
- El Progreso
- The Interpretation Centre
- Isla Lobos
- Punta Pitt
- Dive Sites
- Santa Fé
- Barrington Bay
- Dive Sites
- Floreana
- Punta Cormorant
- Post Office Bay
- Puerto Velasco Ibarra
- Corona del Diablo
- Floreana’s Islets
- Santa Cruz
- Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galápagos National Park Service
- Bahía Ballena
- Cerro Dragón and Venecia
- Playa Las Bachas
- Caleta Tortuga Negra
- Bahía Tortuga
- Playa El Garrapateo
- Los Gemelos
- Media Luna and Cerro Crocker
- Tortoise Reserves
- Los Túneles
- Plaza Sur and Plaza Norte
- Dive Sites
- Baltra
- Mosquera
- Seymour Norte
- Daphne Mayor and Menor
- Pinzón
- Islote Dumb
- Santiago
- Puerto Egas
- Playa Espumilla
- Buccaneer Cove
- Bahía Sullivan
- Sombrero Chino
- Dive Sites
- Bartolomé
- Rábida
- Playa Rojo
- Dive Sites and Snorkelling
- Isabela
- Puerto Villamil
- Sierra Negra
- Los Túneles
- Punta Moreno
- Bahía Elizabeth
- Bahía Urbina
- Caleta Tagus
- Punta Vicente Roca
- Punta Albemarle
- Cabo Marshall
- Cuatro Hermanos
- Roca Redonda
- Roca Blanca
- Fernandina
- Punta Espinosa
- Cabo Douglas
- Tortuga
- Genovesa
- Darwin Beach
- Great Darwin Bay
- El Barranco
- Marchena
- Pinta
- Wolf
- Strong Currents
- Darwin
- Equipment Failure
- Hammerhead Dive
HInts and Tips for Visitors
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- When to Go?
- Organised or on Your Own?
- Travel to the Galápagos
- Dangers and Risks
- How to Help?
- Research Tips
- Books and Websites
- Finding the Right Operator
- Galápagos National Park 275
- Onshore Visitor Sites
- Marine Visitor Sites
- Visiting Rules for the National Park and the Marine Reserve
- Glossary
- Research Resources
- Bibliography
- Internet Sources
- Index
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Completion of the Online Galapagos Travel Guide

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