Big 15 Galapagos: The Must-See Animals of the Islands
World explorers traveling to stunning destinations like Alaska, Antarctica, Africa, Borneo, and others often come with a preconceived list of what they will find. Some refer to it as a wildlife checklist. The Galapagos Islands are no exception. However, this inventory can truly be vast. This is why several destinations have developed a list of the iconic species that represent them. Just as travelers visiting Africa have the idea of encountering the “Big 5,” a list of fauna in the Galapagos might include incredible species such as Darwin’s finches, dolphins, whale sharks, sea turtles, and pelicans, to name just a few.
However, there are other species that visually represent what makes the islands a special place for wildlife observation. This is how we developed our model, which we call the “Big 15,” a list of the 15 iconic species that define our expeditions. More than just a simple checklist of fauna, it reveals the hidden magic of each of our itineraries in the Galapagos.
These animals inhabit a vast archipelago, spread across multiple islands and astonishingly diverse habitats. How do you choose which places to visit? To create our itineraries and offer guests the best balance in terms of observing the flora and fauna of the Galapagos, we consulted our Naturalist Guides, scientists, researchers, and great experts of the Galapagos environment to select the most special and fascinating wildlife of the islands. With this in mind, we compiled this “Big 15” list, emphasizing the most iconic animals. This way, each explorer can choose the best itinerary to make their trip to the Galapagos an unforgettable experience.
With the programs at Finch Bay luxury Hotel, explorers can observe up to 12 animals from this list. Our Expedition Chief and naturalist guides will be happy to help identify and provide more information about these Big 15.
