Why go
A sea lion resting near a path or an iguana beside a landing is an opportunity to watch natural behaviour from a distance. The same care applies between islands: clean footwear and attention to inspections help protect habitats that developed in isolation. Visitor conduct connects directly to the wildlife experience you came for.
The full story
Keep at least two metres between yourself and wildlife, including when using a camera. Do not touch or feed animals. Their apparent calm does not make them pets or justify moving closer for a photograph. If an animal occupies the way ahead, leave it space rather than trying to make it move. At visitor sites, stay on marked trails and follow signs and staff instructions. Leave shells, rocks, sand and other natural material where you find them. These small choices protect both the landscape and the living systems within it. Before travelling between islands, remove soil and seeds from footwear and cooperate with biosecurity inspections. Check current official guidance on what may be carried into the archipelago rather than assuming an item allowed on a mainland flight is also suitable for Galápagos. Arrange protected-area visits through authorised services and confirm the guide and access requirements for the specific site. Camping, specialist photography and other activities outside an ordinary excursion need their own checks with the park; permission for a standard visit does not establish permission for every activity.