Galápagos Expedition

The Galápagos, amid crystal-clear waters and volcanic landscapes with thrilling dives among hammerhead sharks, whitetip and blacktip reef sharks, turtles, eagle rays, and mobulas-a journey that combines the archipelago’s natural history with unforgettable thrills, where every glimpse tells of the magic of an unspoiled world.

During an unforgettable two-week adventure in the Galápagos, I had the pleasure of discovering the enchanting island of San Cristóbal, the beating heart of the archipelago and a must-see destination for those who love the sea and nature.

My journey began in Milan, with a stopover in Madrid, and then on to Guayaquil, the coastal city in Ecuador that serves as the gateway to this natural paradise.

The Galápagos Islands were discovered by accident in 1535 by Spanish bishop Tomás de Berlanga and, after Ecuador’s independence, were officially annexed to Ecuadorian territory in 1832, marking the beginning of a fascinating history full of discoveries.

Dream beaches and seas in San Cristóbal

In the company of a group of freedivers from different parts of the world, the trip was supported by Bluespirit Freediving, I experienced unforgettable days exploring beaches and seabeds where nature is expressed in all its richness and variety.

Playa Mann: near Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the island’s capital, this beach is populated by dozens of sea lions. Right from the start in the water I swam alongside sea turtles and with some of the famous Galápagos sharks, experiences that left me with indelible memories.
Bahía Sardina: a true paradise on earth, with crystal-clear waters and the whitest sand. The solitude of this beach makes you feel like you are the last man on Earth, immersed in a dreamlike environment.
Playa La Galapaguera: Here nature is authentically expressed, with sea turtles and small black- and white-finned sharks inhabiting the waters, providing an immersive experience that respects the local wildlife.
Bahía Rosa Blanca: an amazing discovery, where a mangrove forest is home to millions of microscopic krill specimens, critical to the marine food chain. In this corner I was also able to see up close a colony of seahorses, protected from predatory threats.
Puerto Chino: Located in the southeastern part of the island this small, secluded beach offers the ideal spot for a day of relaxation. On the south side of the beach is a promontory that can be easily climbed on foot and offers breathtaking views of the island’s landscape and the ocean, creating a perfect oasis for those seeking tranquility-carry everything you need with you since services are absent here.
Playa Lobería: an enchanting bay frequented by professional surfers. Despite the backdrop consisting of sharp, ancient volcanic rock, the magic of the sea lions you can swim with makes the experience truly special.

Kicker Rock and Isla Española

Kicker Rock the point of no return

We come to the really interesting discoveries of this first part of the trip. The headland in the middle of the sea, known as León Dormido (or Kicker Rock), turns out to be a real natural aquarium. In this area I was lucky enough to swim along with beautiful specimens of hammerhead sharks, which inhabit the entire area around this impressive megalithic rock. The species richness does not end there: around León Dormido you can see eagle rays, manta rays, sea turtles and huge schools of fish (so-called school of fish). Freediving amidst this spectacular scenery allows you to discover, at the edges of the shoals, fascinating blacktip or mobula sharks, belonging to the manta family.

Isla Española - paradise on earth

Finally, I could not fail to mention the stunning Isla Española, located south of San Cristóbal. This almost desert-like island boasts an incredibly clean and turquoise sea, populated by an incredible variety of large fish. In addition to dozens of brightly colored starfish and schools of oceanic fish, I had the privilege of observing more whitetip sharks and marvelous eagle rays, with whom I was able to swim – nay, fly – in absolute peace.

Santa Cruz and new adventures

After the excitement I experienced in San Cristóbal, I moved to the island of Santa Cruz for my second week in the archipelago. Despite being smaller than San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz exudes vitality: the island is bustling with locals and tourists, who are not at all harassing; on the contrary, they create a welcoming and lively atmosphere.

I was based in the town of Puerto Ayora, the largest town on the island, which is small and pretty, with a picturesque harbor from which one easily sets off on sea adventures. In the evening, the harbor bay is transformed into a veritable habitat: small black and white tip sharks can be seen, along with small eagle rays and moubula, which use the area as a safe haven to grow away from predators and prepare for life on the open sea.

Memorable dives between faults and shark beds

During this week, together with my fellow adventurers, I organized some really unforgettable excursions among very white beaches, open sea and really special excursions to super naturalistic places.

Tortuga Bay: a dream beach that is home to a vibrant colony of marine iguanas, tranquil and skilled swimmers. Here I also had the thrill of meeting tiny, adorable hammerhead sharks, whose sweetness resembles that of a puppy dog, an experience that really makes you reconsider the wonders of nature.
The Las Grietas Fault: This hike took me to a small freshwater basin nestled between two volcanic rock ridges, which widen by about 3 mm every year. Along the way, you pass by a small salt lake, traditionally used by locals as a salt spring, and admire an almost lunar landscape. The fault is fascinatingly reminiscent of that of Silfra in Iceland. And I assure you that the sea in front of the town is also full of wonderful creatures: during a simple sea cab ride, I swam together with a beautiful sea eagle, solitary and quiet, which made the experience even more magical.
Between Seymour Mosquera Islands: on the last day of this incredible trip, I organized one last boat excursion with a local guide. We set off north between Seymour Island and Mosquera Island. In addition to the usual and now daily sightings, I had the opportunity to swim along with a yellowfin tuna-at least I tried! We visited some Galápagos sharks resting blissfully on the sea floor, but the most exciting moment was the encounter with an entire school of hammerhead sharks, a spectacular and unprecedented gift that crowned this trip.

The experience in theGalápagos Islands archipelago left me with indelible memories, combining a passion for the sea with the discovery of a unique natural and cultural heritage.

If you would like to learn more or if you would like to plan your own trip to the Galápagos, please do not hesitate to contact me-I will be happy to share every detail and help you plan an adventure tailored to you.

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