When Kaitlin Law starts planning her summer vacation, her first thought is “where in the world can I go this summer?”
“I try to spend each summer exploring a different country and culture,” she said. “I spent this summer in the Galapagos Islands. I lived in an Air B & B on Santa Cruz Island.”
Kaitlin lived in the Galapagos for two months and immersed herself in the culture and beauty of the islands.
The Galapagos are in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, 605 miles off the West Coast of South America and the closest land mass is Ecuador.
“There are many islands in the Galapagos. People are not allowed to visit a couple of the islands but a majority of them can be visited, four of which are inhabited,” she said. “A majority of my time was spent in Santa Cruz working on my (scuba) dive instructor course. However, on the weekends I visited the other islands. I did day trips to each of the islands that are uninhabited and took weekend trips to the islands that are inhabited.
“Each of the inhabited islands are vastly different. Floreana and San Cristobal were my favorite islands to visit. Floreana is the least populated of the four inhabited islands, consisting of only 150 people,” Kaitlin said. “It is pristine, beautiful, and very chill.  I stayed on the black sand beach there which was incredible. San Cristobal is the second most populated of the inhabited islands…there is a lot to do, restaurants to visit and many beaches to snorkel.  San Cristobal is absolutely covered up with sea lions, which was incredible.”
Kaitlin said The Galapagos was the most beautiful place she has ever visited and “the scenery is absolutely breath taking consisting of aqua blue water, volcanoes, mountains, cacti, etc. The islands are filled with sea lions, iguanas, giant tortoises and tons of birds (blue-footed boobies, red-footed boobies, frigget birds, flightless cormorants, pelicans, etc.).”
Scuba diving was what Kaitlin did most days and she said the diving was out of this world. During her two months in the islands she dove with schools of hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, black and white tip sharks, sea turtle, sting rays and even sea lions.
“The sea lions which were very playful.  They loved swimming with and blowing bubbles at snorkelers,” she said. “I also snorkeled with penguins, marine iguanas, black tip sharks, sea turtles, rays, and fish.
“I highly recommend every nature and animal lover visit the Galapagos Islands. I would recommend spending a few days on each of the inhabited islands so you get the full experience.”
For diving enthusiasts, Kaitlin suggests diving at Gordon Rocks on Santa Cruz and Kicker Rock on San Cristobal. For snorkelers, head to Punto Carola Beach.
“Hikers should definitely hike Volcano Sierra Negra on Isabella Island,” she said. “There are numerous island day trips to choose from but my favorite were Espanola Island and Bartolome Island. Both islands were gorgeously pristine and had wonderful snorkeling.”

Snorkeling with Penguins on Bartolome Island.

A blue footed boobie with her eggs.

Blue footed boobie on Isabella Island.

Top of the observation tower on Isabella Island.

Isabella Island. Left to right; Kaitlin and Haynes Thomas.

Exploring the lava tunnels on Santa Cruz Island.

Flamingos on Isabella Island.

Flamingo on Isabella Island.

Snorkeling with sea turtles on Santa Fe Island.

Sierra Negra Volcano on Isabella Island.

Sierra Negra Volcano on Isabella Island.

Snorkeling with Galapagos Sharks on Pinzon Island.

Group of marine iguanas on Espanola Island.

Punto Carola beach on San Cristobal Island. It is COVERED in sea lions!!

The top of Bartolome Island.

Haynes and I on Bartolome Island.

Marine iguana on the black sand beach on Floreana Island.

Crab on Espanola Island.

Haynes and I at El Chato, a giant tortoise ranch on Santa Cruz Island.

Sea lions hanging out on the Santa Cruz pier.

 

Giant tortoise crossing the street in Santa Cruz Island.

The port on Santa Cruz Island.

Hall County Travels is a blog series from the Abernathy Cochran Real Estate Group to highlight adventures taken by Hall County residents. If you have taken a trip of a lifetime recently, or know someone who has, please email: babernathy@gonorton.com.