10 Reasons Why The Galapagos Islands Should Be Your Next Adventure Destination

The Galapagos Islands encompass some of the most pristine beauty in the world. It's a rare destination, with tons of unique wildlife and spectacular nature. It offers an incredible mix of tropical and polar species as well as volcanic rock landscapes.

The Galapagos consists of 13 major islands, five of which are inhabited. Each of them has their own unique atmosphere and wildlife viewing opportunities. Upon this cluster of islands you can swim with sharks, snorkel with sea lions, hike along lava trails and relax on one of their unspoiled beaches.

*Related: 12 Must-See World Heritage Sites

Make the Galapagos Islands your next adventure destination; explore the World Heritage Site and all the natural beauty it has to offer.

The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most unique wildlife in the world. It consists of 13 major islands, five of which are inhabited. It is one of the few locations in the world that doesn't have an indigenous population.

Some of the most incredible wildlife in the world can be found on the Galapagos Islands. "For the fourth year in a row, Galapagos is rated the #1 best overall dive destination in the world by Rodale's Scuba Diving Magazine's 2001 "Readers' Choice Awards." 100% of the survey respondents that had been to Galapagos said they would go back," according to Shark Diving International.

The Galapagos Islands are probably most famous for their unique wildlife. It's a protected destination that offers visitors the chance to encounter animals that are found nowhere else on the planet. Some of these animals include tortoises, iguanas, finches, penguins, blue-footed boobies and lava lizards.

The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most unique wildlife in the world. Hurry up and head there while you still can. The Islands are extremely threatened by tourism, pollution and the rise in sea water temperature.

As your boat comes closer to the shore, you will most likely see sea lions. The Galapagos Islands offers you the opportunity to get up close and personal with these animals – snorkeling beneath the ocean.

I can't think of anything better than secluded islands that are comprised of unspoiled beaches with powdery white sand and clear blue water. The best beaches to visit include Tortuga Bay Beach on Santa Cruz Island, Gardner Bay Beach on Espanola Island and Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island.

Hiking trails are located all throughout the island. You can find them along their gorgeous beaches, in forests and along lava trails. One of the best hikes includes Puerto Ayora in Tortuga Bay. It's an easy hike that shouldn't take more than one hour to complete.

Head out to the islands to view their giant tortoises. According to National Geographic there are only 11 types left, down from 15 when Darwin arrived. They "are the longest-lived of all vertebrates, averaging over 100 years. The oldest on record lived to be 152."

Explore the ginormous underground lava tubes in Santa Cruz. They were formed when "cooler outer parts of lava flows hardened into thick rock walls, providing insulation to keep a flow going inside; eventually the flow subsided, leaving long empty tunnels easily big enough to walk down," according to roughguides.com. You don't need an official guide to explore but tours can be arranged in Puerto Ayora.

This is a very secluded location. The diving destination is considered to be one of the best in the world. Enjoy exploring the marine life beneath the ocean – fish, manta rays, dolphins and sharks, just to name a few.