One of the most surprising things about arriving in Galápagos is how closely we can observe the animals.
Sea lions resting beside a pier, iguanas crossing a trail, or boobies nesting just a few meters away can make us forget, for a moment, that we are looking at wild animals.
But being close does not mean we can touch them.
Galápagos National Park rules are clear: we must keep at least two meters away from wildlife, even when taking photographs, and we should never touch or feed the animals.
The two-meter rule
Two meters may seem like a lot when an iguana is sitting right in the middle of the trail, but the idea is simple: we are the ones who must adapt to the animals, not the other way around.
If an animal approaches, do not touch it, chase it, or block its path. Whenever possible, step back calmly and give it space to continue.
This applies both on land and during wildlife encounters in the water.
Why shouldn’t we touch them?
It is not only about following a rule.
Getting too close can interrupt natural behaviors such as resting, feeding, breeding, or caring for young. Touching or feeding animals can also make them more accustomed to people and change the way they behave.
There is also a very practical reason: they are wild animals. A sea lion that appears calm may react if it feels cornered or if we get too close to its territory. Adult males, in particular, can be unpredictable.
A few simple rules
Enjoying Galápagos wildlife responsibly is not complicated:
- Keep at least two meters away.
- Never touch or feed the animals.
- Do not chase an animal to get a photograph.
- Stay on marked trails and respect restricted areas.
- Avoid blocking an animal’s path.
- Take photographs without flash.
- Do not fly drones inside protected areas without the proper authorization.
- Follow the instructions of park rangers and naturalist guides.
These rules are part of the official National Park visitor guidelines and are designed to reduce our impact on wildlife.
A good photograph does not require getting closer
In Galápagos, it is easy to feel tempted to take just a few more steps forward.
But one of the best ways to photograph and observe nature is often the opposite: stop and let things happen.
The animals continue resting, walking, feeding, or caring for their young, and we get the chance to observe much more natural behavior.
That is the real privilege of Galápagos.
We are the visitors
The rules may seem strict, but they exist for a reason.
In 2025, for example, Galápagos National Park temporarily closed Playa Mann on San Cristóbal after visitors repeatedly ignored minimum-distance rules and other regulations that were affecting the sea lions in the area. Galápagos offers something extraordinary: the chance to observe wild animals at very close range, in their own environment. Our part of the agreement is quite simple.
Observe, learn, photograph, and enjoy. But let them remain wild.
0 comments