97% of the land in Galapagos is National Park and the surrounding sea is all marine reserve - both recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site (the park was the 1st ever UNESCO WH site).
Notwithstanding a few sites near the main towns (beaches mostly, or tortoise "reserves" on private land, or swimming holes), you'll be hard pressed to experience the best of what Galapagos is world-famous for unless you get out and about among the islands, above and below the sea, as much as possible.
The more time you spend out there, the greater the odds of witnessing fantastic natural displays.
Some that come to mind:
- a superpod of 1,000+ dolphins leaping out of the sea, all around you
- giant tortoises mating / laying eggs
- waved albatross engaged in their amazing courtship displays
- azure-eyed flightless cormorants gobbling up squid
- 50 spotted eagle rays swimming in formation under you
- the “can-you-see-my-blue-feet” mating dance of the blue-footed boobies
- penguins darting about all around you while you snorkel
- a Galapagos hawk, perched nearly within arm's reach, monitoring the beach for an inattentive marine iguana
- a good naturalist guide helping you spot a sea horse hiding in the algae
- a lava heron hunting for sally-lightfoot crabs
- sea lions (aka underwater puppies) willing you to join them as they frolic in the water, all around you
- somersaulting mobula rays
- a blue whale surfacing nearby
- snorkeling with dolphins / orcas! (rare, but happens)
- out-of-this world lunar landscapes
- coming across a dozen surface feeding whale sharks
- who knows, a volcanic eruption with lava flowing into the sea (last year)
- "sea turtle soup" - snorkeling with 20 sea turtles all around you
- and so much more...
So, do make the effort to get out there, whether by taking multiple day trips, or embarking on an expedition cruise. One thing is certain: The chances of amazing wildlife / geological encounters are close to zero when you spend time in and around town.
Warmest regards,
Heather Blenkiron