My name is Henrique Olsen and I come from Porto Alegre in Brazil. Welcome to my blog on the incredible wildlife of the Galápagos Islands.
I graduated university with a degree in social communication. I’ve always had a strong passion for photography. For years I attended photography classes and courses at university. I started off with a focus on skateboarding and even became a published photographer in several major magazines.
In 2016, I visited the Galápagos Islands for the first time. It was on this trip that I realised my true passion was for the various life forms which inhabit earth. I began to understand the importance of ecosystems.
After this trip, I decided to combine my passion for photography with my studies in communication. Social media was the perfect platform to do it. Today I aim to inspire others to help preserve the species of our planet. I am passionate about photographing nature and wildlife in South America.
My Wildlife Experiences in the Galápagos Islands
I last visited the Galápagos Islands in 2019/2020. It was great to come back but this time with more experience under my belt as a photographer. The islands blew me away once again. Everything has the capacity to inspire and makes me want to learn more about different species.
As soon as you arrive you realise that nature rules. I remember witnessing a territorial dispute of Marine Iguanas on the sidewalk of the city in Santa Cruz (the most populated island). Yes, on the sidewalk of a city!
My trip lasted for 16 days. I had the pleasure of visiting three different islands: Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal and Isabela. There are many ways to experience the Galápagos Islands. One of them is by cruise. Unfortunately, this was something that I didn’t get the opportunity to experience.
A cruise is a fantastic way to explore the remote islands. When I travel I try to make my trip as economical as possible. So I based myself on the most inhabited islands and toured to nearby islands or moved to areas with good animal viewings. Galápagos is like a nature show!
Incredible Wildlife of the Galápagos Islands
When you arrive at the Galápagos Islands you feel like you’ve landed on another planet. There’s so much wildlife that exists in this open-air zoo. I really loved the sea creatures and was impressed by the amount of species.
Some of my favourite marine animals were Orcas, Dolphins, Sea Turtles, Giant Tortoises, Sharks, Penguins, Marine Iguanas, Sea Lions and Sting Rays! I have fond memories of swimming with sea turtles and enjoyed the sense of calm that these creatures provide as you swim with them.
Your heart slows down and peace takes over your brain. This is just one example of the dozens of wildlife experiences you can have in the Galápagos Islands. Once you open your heart to connect with nature and these majestic animals – it starts to change your view of the world forever.
As a photographer, I managed to capture some amazing wildlife photos on my trip to the Galápagos Islands. One of my favourites was a photo of a Blue-Footed Booby doing its daily cleaning chores on top of rocks. I found it to be a unique moment due its unique composition and pleasant lighting.
Fantastic Eco-Tourism of the Galápagos Islands
The main islands – Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal and Isabela – are all geared towards eco-tourism. Obviously, the more inhabited the island, the more infrastructure you tend to find. There are all kinds of hotels on the islands – from budget hotels to luxury high-end. The same goes for restaurants.
Getting around the islands is usually done on water taxis, land taxis and small planes. Some of the islands have the option of shuttle buses that can take you to the airport. There are two main airports in the Galápagos Islands: one located on Baltra Island and the other on San Cristóbal Island.
People and Culture of the Islands
I always try to meet local people when I travel. It’s an awesome experience getting to understand how different communities work and how different cultures think. The people of the Galápagos Islands are amazing. They have a strong sense of hospitality and I even made some friends for life.
The culture is certainly unique here. It’s easy to see the different customs, cuisines and appreciation of local history. For example, when you turn a corner in one of the cities you may come across a dance event or see people playing salsa music and dancing inside their houses.
Some customs which originated on the continent (Ecuador) are also present in the local population. On my visit I met people who work as guides, sailors, fishermen and even skateboarders. San Cristóbal Island is home to a skatepark – would you believe it? I’m still passionate about it.
What you Need to Know Before you Go
If you have a certain style of travel that likes to combine rest with adventure then I recommend opting for a cruise. This way you won’t have to worry about looking for tour agencies and organising water taxis to get between the islands. In addition, these cruises can take you to hidden gems.
Most people (like me) choose to travel on a budget and stay on the islands. You can explore local beaches, immerse in the local culture, do some walks and see a whole bunch of different wildlife. There’s no right or wrong way to experience the wildlife of the Galápagos Islands – it all depends on you!
