The Galapagos Archipelago was one of the first four natural places in the world to be declared a World Heritage Site and eight years later the Islands became a Biosphere Reserve due to their unique scientific and educational importance.

On the 15th of September, 1835 the Beagle docked on Chatham Island (San Cristobal) and for just over five weeks Darwin explored the islands, collecting specimens, observing the geological formations, hoping to catch a volcanic eruption and searching for fresh water.  The observations he made planted the seeds for the principle of Natural Selection which Darwin would publish in his treatise ‘On the Origin of Species’ in 1859.

Natural selection makes the traits that favor survival more common, this can be seen in Darwin’s Finches, although all about the same size, the most important distinction between the species is in the shape and size of their beaks which are highly adapted to their different food sources.

The 13 major islands, 6 smaller ones and numerous islets were accidently discovered by ships becalmed off the coast of South America, who found themselves drifting west on the Humboldt current into the waters of the Galapagos Islands.  The first recorded discovery was made by the Bishop of Panama, Tomas de Berlanga, in 1535 en route to Lima. 

The archipelagos unique location on the equator and the upwelling of ocean currents have created one of the most unique places on earth, where penguins and sea lions live in the tropics and the nutrient rich waters are a paradise for seabirds and marine wildlife.  It is a place where the birds and animals have evolved without predators and fear no man, and where the only way to survive is to be different.

The colours of these untouched islands tell the story of life, reflect the changing currents and reveal a snapshot in time of a never-ending geological journey.