Before I visited the Galapagos Islands, I knew we would encounter other worldly type beauty. I knew about the famous Galapagos turtles, iguanas, and seals that we would see, and of course, I looked forward to seeing many blue-footed boobies. All of which were accomplished. I was not familiar with a lesser-known natural wonder in the Galapagos; lava tubes.
Volcanic eruptions created the Galapagos Islands while the Nazca tectonic plate moved over a geological hotspot. The ancient volcanic activity left behind tunnels under the surface. Lava tubes are created when an outer layer of lava flow cools and hardens. Once an eruption has ended and the lava drains away, hallow passageways are left behind.
Our first stop in the Galapagos was at the El Chato Reserve, next to a national park where giant tortoises roam freely. We left our belongings behind in the van and walked a short distance to an opening in the ground.
I am severely claustrophobic, and the idea of descending into a cave sent a shiver up my spine. Our guide assured me it wasn’t tight inside the tunnels. As everyone walked down the steps in front of me, I took a deep breath of resolve and gathered my “can do” attitude and followed behind.
Once inside the cave, a gigantic tunnel opened up before us. My imagination immediately went to the Dune novels, where I envisioned sand worms pounding their way through. No sand worms were found, but I was amazed at the size of the tunnels. Lights guided our way as we walked a short distance through the tunnels. At about the half-way point, our guide informed us we would need to slide on our bellies to get to another cavern. My family immediately looked at me and laughed. The guide assured me it would not be too bad, and he was right. I was the last one to go under the rocks to get to the other side. My son told me to stop so he could take my picture, but I said, “nope, I’m coming through fast.”
The lava tubes extend for miles, but only a portion of them are open to the public. It is believed pirates and whalers used the tunnels in the 17th and 18th centuries for refuge. The tubes are important for the environment, because they are a place where animals can find pools of fresh water and is a natural habitat for bats, insects, and other small creatures.
If you are going to visit the lava tubes in the Galapagos, here are some tips:
- Go with a guide. A guide is needed to visit most places in the Galapagos and it’s a great way to get all the details.
- Wear shoes that can handle slippery surfaces.
- Bring a flashlight. Most areas are lit up, but it’s fun to shine a light into the small spaces. Also, you never know when power will go out.
- Watch your head. Some places of a low ceiling.
For more travel stories, click here.