While diving in Galapagos, Erika De la Cruz encountered a hammerhead shark unlike any she’d seen before—one with a curved spine. What began as a routine dive turned into a groundbreaking scientific discovery. Read her story of wonder, resilience, and the power of observation beneath the waves.

Embarking on a trip to the Galapagos Islands is an unforgettable experience, but packing for it requires some special consideration. To help you prepare, the researchers at the Charles Darwin Foundation have curated the ultimate packing list.

Galapagos penguins, flightless cormorants, waved albatross, and flamingos are among the most iconic birds in Galapagos. Yet, these sentinel species are all classified as threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, and face continued risk of population decline.

For 26 years, scientists have returned to the misty highlands of Santa Cruz to track the impacts of the invasive quinine and of the management actions. The continuous control of invasive plants resulted in the remarkable recovery of endemic plant species, especially that of the iconic Miconia robinsoniana. This is the story of endurance, restoration, and how a long-term commitment can strengthen conservation actions to protect the Galapagos ecosystems.

While the Galapagos Islands remain one of the best-conserved destinations in the world, they are faced with numerous challenges that are derived from growth in tourism and local population. The Charles Darwin Foundation is investigating how sustainable practices across multiple sectors such as urban planning and energy can mitigate these impacts while enhancing local community well-being through the health of the islands' socio-ecosystems.

From the heart of the Galapagos, discover how science, community, and conservation unite to protect sharks, turtles, seabirds, and more. Explore the threats, the efforts, and how you can help safeguard our shared blue planet.

Join us on a historic deep-sea expedition inside the Galápagos Marine Reserve onboard the Atlantis & the research submarine Alvin: March 28 - April 22, 2023

When we talk about Galapagos we always think of Darwin, giant tortoises and finches. But few outside Galapagos know about the Scalesia plants, commonly known as Darwin’s giant daisies.