Edgar. K2IN will be active as HD8R from Galapagos Islands, IOTA SA - 004, 22 October - 4 November 2025.
He will operate on HF Bands, including activity in CQ WW DX SSB Contest, 25 - 26 October 2025.
Recent DX Spots HD8R
QSL via M0OXO, OQRS.
Previous activity:
HD8R DX Friends Team will be active from San Cristobal Island, Galapagos Islands, IOTA SA - 004, 26 October - 7 November 2021.
Team - EA1SA, EA5EL, EA5KA, EA5KM, EA5RM, EA7R, EA7X, F5CWU, F5NKX, F8ATS, HC5VF, HK6F, IK5RUN, IN3ZNR, EC7ZK, EA7KE.
They will operate on 160 - 6m, CW, SSB, Digital modes.
QSL via EA5RM.
Ads for direct QSL:
ANTONIO GONZALEZ, P.O. BOX 930, E-03200, ELCHE, Spain.
Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands are a stunningly beautiful and unique archipelago, one of the most incredible places on the planet. It is home to 400-kilogram tortoises and southern penguins, four ocean currents converge here, and during volcanic eruptions, a column of ash rises 15 kilometers into the sky! Life on the islands is fraught with difficulties and sometimes even dangers, yet it is surprisingly harmonious. Although the Galapagos Islands were discovered relatively recently and are now remote from major transport routes and not involved in serious political events, they have nevertheless had a huge impact on the development of the world.
Sea Lion, San Cristobal Island, Galapagos Islands. Author - kuhnmi.
History of the Galápagos Islands
The islands were officially discovered in 1535 by Spanish priest Tomás de Berlanga. Setting sail from Panama to Peru, he accidentally strayed off course (which was common in the 16th century without GPS) and ended up on the island. At that time, the island was inhabited by descendants of the Incas, but the first thing de Berlanga saw were huge turtles.
This is where the name comes from: “galápago” means “water turtle” in Spanish. These creatures felt right at home here — and, fortunately, still do, although at one time sailors called them “living canned food” and took them with them to eat in case they ran out of supplies. Nevertheless, the population was preserved, and the Islas Galápagos have every right to be proud of having saved their national symbol.
Spain owned the Turtle Islands for quite a long time. It was only in 1832 that Ecuador annexed them. They still belong to Ecuador today, forming a province with a population of 25,124 (as of 2010) and an area of just over 8,000 square kilometers.
A lot of islands
In total, the Galápagos archipelago includes
- 13 main, largest islands;
- 6 smaller, but still quite significant, islets;
- 107 alluvial areas and simply rocks in the Pacific Ocean.
And some processes suggest that this number will change.
The fact is that the archipelago is located at the junction of three lithospheric plates: Nazca, Cocos, and Pacific. The plates are in constant motion relative to each other, and the earth's crust is heated from below by the mantle plume. As a result, new islands are constantly forming and old ones are sinking. The oldest of them, 4,000,000 years old, is predicted by scientists to soon disappear under the water. Younger formations, on the other hand, have not yet completed the formation process. This applies primarily to Ferdinand and Isabel. New volcanic islands are in the process of formation, as evidenced by the number of eruptions: 13 in the last hundred years.
Kicker Rock near San Cristobal Island, Galapagos Islands. Author - David Stanley.
Charles was here
The Galapagos Islands are home to many endemic species of animals and plants that are found nowhere else in the world. Almost all of the fauna — about 97% — consists of endemic species. You won't find a similar percentage combination anywhere else.
The most famous local inhabitants include the tree sparrow, the conolof, the Galapagos dove, the Galapagos albatross, the elephant tortoise, and the dark gull. Every year, thousands of tourists come to the archipelago to observe the local inhabitants from a respectful distance.
One such observer was Charles Darwin. It was here, while studying the flora and fauna of the archipelago, that the famous naturalist first conceived of his theory of evolution and made his first notes. So the Galapagos Islands are in fact the inspiration and birthplace of Darwin's theory of natural selection, which is known throughout the world.
Fidelity on land and at sea
Everything is clear with endemics on land: animals and plants simply cannot leave the islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean — at least, not without outside help. However, a rare phenomenon is widespread in the Galapagos archipelago — marine endemism.
About 20% of the marine life inhabiting the shores of the Turtle Islands never leaves. Among them are the marine iguana, the Galapagos sea lion, and the only penguin living so far south — the Galapagos penguin. These creatures have the ability to travel around the world and are quite capable of living in other territories (at least in the same latitudes). However, they choose the Galapagos. Why? Scientists say with certainty: it is unknown. Marine endemism is rare and little studied, and such a large percentage of unique local fauna is truly unique. It is not yet possible to explain this — we can only marvel at it.
Giant Turtle, San Cristobal Island, Galapagos Islands. Author - Lee Hoy.
Under protection
It is only natural that such unusual creatures need good protection. The government of Ecuador first attempted to provide this in 1934, when it passed a law on the protection of the archipelago. In 1936, the law was amended, and in 1959, the creation of a national park was officially announced. In 1986, the Galapagos Islands already had the status of a biosphere reserve, and a little earlier, in 1978, the archipelago was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Today, the territory of this park complex occupies 97.5% of the total territory of the archipelago. There is very little land left for people — only three islands where they can live. However, they do not seem to mind and willingly share the beaches with non-aggressive sea lions and elephant seals. At the water's edge, you can even find a sign warning that sea lions have chosen this place as their rookery. You can't touch the animals, but no one forbids you from photographing them.
Not only the land, but also the surrounding ocean is protected. The protected area covers 70,000 square kilometers, making it the second largest in the world (the first belongs to the Great Barrier Reef). The area is certainly significant, but it is necessary for true giants, as the archipelago is a refuge for humpback whales. These magnificent creatures thrive in the warm waters at the intersection of four currents: the Equatorial, Panama, Humboldt, and Cromwell. Here they feed, rest, teach their young, and in the mornings you can often see the fantastic fountains of spray they throw up into the sky.
Is there no place for people here?
In fact, of course, this is not the case: members of our species have a great time on the Turtle Islands. People of various nationalities live here, mainly Ecuadorians. Some residents trace their history directly back to the ancient Maya. They are the ones who organize annual folklore performances, which attract tourists from all over the world, especially the United States.
This is a good eco-friendly business for the locals. In general, the entire economy of the islands is based on ecotourism. In particular, unique wool processing technologies have been preserved here. Products made from such wool are incredibly expensive, but their quality and beauty are simply incredible. And if you want something less significant, you can always try the local cuisine.
Of course, there is also entertainment on the Galapagos Islands. Hiking in protected areas, including extinct volcanoes, bird watching, and diving are widespread. All activities are strictly supervised by local scientists. However, you can relax on the countless beaches without supervision, unwind, drink freshly squeezed juice, and enjoy the indescribable beauty of the archipelago.
