Galapagos Islands Trip 2025

The long-awaited trip to the Galapagos Islands is well underway, as pupils and teachers explore this globally unique UNESCO World Heritage marine reserve that has been described as a 'living museum and showcase of evolution'.

After a quick 46-hour hop, the team arrived in the Galapagos Islands via the Ecuadorian capital of Quito. After an orientation talk, the team - all from St David's College Sixth Form - were put to work on the raison d'être for this monumental excursion: a key conservation project.

The project was founded by local residents who watched the biodiversity of their island becoming more and more threatened. In the early 1990s they began the almost impossible task of transporting tortoises from the far side of the island to a breeding centre, whilst simultaneously eliminating introduced species that threatened their finely balanced ecosystem.

The team have had to learn some new skills very quickly, including the safe use of the machete, harvesting, counting techniques and taxonomic identification of many unique species that are indigenous to the islands.

After work there is always time for a swim and a play with the local sea lions, who seem endlessly fascinated with the humans in the water.

The whole team are living with a host family and have discovered a love for home-made Ecuadorian food. The work has been hard at times, especially in the high heat and high humidity environment, but the rewards of seeing a happy herd of giant tortoises galloping towards you soon out-ways any hardships. If you think tortoises don’t gallop, then you’ve never stood in front of them with bundles of their favourite food plant!

The abundance of life on the islands is staggering, especially around the beaches; the team have become accustomed to swimming with turtles, sharks and even the passing marine iguanas.

The team have also been helping out at the local dog shelter, where - for reasons of conservation of native species - dogs and cats are being phased out on the islands, with all dogs being sterilised and any stray or unwanted dogs given a home in the shelter.

It’s been a tough first week, but they have a mini break on another island to look forward to before getting back to work.

Thanks to Mr Pettitt for the report and the wonderful pictures, and we're looking forward to the final installation of The Galapagos Diaries!