Postcards from the Galapagos Islands

Postbox, Post Office Bay, Galapagos Islands.

Post Office Bay – The History and How it Works

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Since the 18th Century, the Galapagos Islands has had its very own (unorthodox) mail service. In the days before smartphones, sailors spent years away from home with little communication and so came up with this neat solution. They would leave letters, addressed but with no stamp, in a barrel on Floreana Island and hope that others passing through on their way to the same destination would pick up their letters and hand deliver them.

And so the tradition continues with visitors to the Galapagos today. Simply buy a postcard from a local Galapagos store, write a message and address it to anywhere around the world, then drop it off in the brown barrel at Post Office Bay. You can then pay it forward by looking for other postcards addressed to your home country and take them with you. Once you arrive home, simply buy a local stamp and post it. Or you can hand deliver it if you are going for the old school vibe.

Our Postcards from the Galapagos Islands…

Sea Lions lounging on Mosquera Island.

Galapagos Penguin swimming in the waters off Floreana Island.

Male Frigatebirds have a red gular pouch hanging under their necks that inflate as part of their spectacular courtship display.

A Marine Iguana lazing on a rock on Lobos Island. These guys are the world’s only sea-going lizard and although they can stay submerged for up to 10 minutes, are more commonly found sunning on lava rocks just like this one.

Dolphins surfing the waves in front of our boat, doing flips and generally having an awesome time.

A Land Iguana soaking up the sun on North Seymour Island. These reptiles have an average lifespan of 60 years and look fresh out of the dinosaur age.

Snorkelling with Sea Lions around Mosquera Island. So playful and inquisitive, you might even find one nibbling on your flipper!

The Blue-Footed Booby is probably the most famous bird living in the Galapagos. Watching them stomp around with their oversized bright blue feet as a part of their courtship display will definitely make you giggle.

You’ll find these brightly coloured coastal scavengers, known as the Sally Lightfoot Crab, almost everywhere in the Galapagos Islands.

Just like watching a National Geographic documentary. I was expecting bloodshed, but this Land Iguana just walked right on past these Blue-Footed Boobies. They created plenty of noise for good measure.

A Marine Iguana catching some afternoon rays and philosophising on Mosquera Island.

A not-so-giant Giant Tortoise. This baby tortoise is being raised in the Charles Darwin Conservation Centre on Santa Cruz Island and is likely to live for over 100 years. Hopefully he ages gracefully…

A much older Giant Tortoise having lunch in the fields of Santa Cruz Island. These beautiful animals are thought to have numbered around 250,000 in the 16th century before human exploitation led to a massive decline to a low of 3,000 in 1974. Thankfully, modern conservation efforts have increased the population to around 20,000 but they are still considered ‘vulnerable’.

The red beach of Rabida Island is a pretty good spot to anchor for an afternoon swim. Check out our boat the Xavier 3.

Lava Lizard checking us out as we explore the red beach of Rabida Island.

Sunsets like these…

Waved Albatross engaged in their spectacular ritualized courtship display. It looks like a choreographed dance of bill clicking and circling as well as bowing, freezing, honking and whistling.

And if all goes to plan with the courtship, the Waved Albatross will find itself here nesting on Espanola Island.

A Nazca Booby chilling on the cliffs of Espanola Island.

A baby Sea Lion following its Mother up the beach of Mosquera Island. It doesn’t get much cuter than this!

Beach walks on Floreana Island. I don’t think I have found whiter sand or clearer water anywhere else in the world. You just have to watch out for the Manta Rays in the shallows. I almost stepped on a few!

Time to Post our Postcards from the Galapagos Islands

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When we got back to London, we unpacked our letters, slapped on a couple of stamps and headed straight for our local post box. Having traveled over 10,000 km from Post Office Bay, it was pretty enticing to continue this centuries old tradition.
And so the tradition continues with visitors to the Galapagos today. Simply buy a postcard from a local Galapagos store, write a message and address it to anywhere around the world, then drop it off in the brown barrel at Post Office Bay. You can then pay it forward by looking for other postcards addressed to your home country and take them with you. Once you arrive home, simply buy a local stamp and post it. Or you can hand deliver it if you are going for the old school vibe.

Hitting the SW6 postbox in London to carry on the tradition of Post Office Bay.