Wanderlust Travel Magazine (UK)
[The wildlife is] completely apathetic to people. It’s utterly bewitching…
For more on Monty Halls’ Galápagos capers, see
Following on from the TV series, the presenter and marine biologist’s new book My Family and the Galápagos highlights the draws and challenges of this unique archipelago
What was the aim of the book? It was partially a diary. I always really enjoy writing about the girls, but the Galápagos are such an important set of islands. I think it’s quite important to write about the conservation status of the islands and the issues they’re facing. They’re a benchmark for the way we behave around the rest of the world. If we can’t get it right there, we’re in a spot of bother elsewhere.
Why did you decide to write it? Gerald Durrell is a huge hero of mine. His book My Family and Other Animals inspired a whole new generation. I’m not saying My Family and the Galápagos is anywhere in the same league, but for me, personally, to travel with my family to a place that was so precious to me and to others, and to have the chance to write a book about it, was an absolute treat.
Why is the Galápagos special? We throw around the expression unique, but the Galápagos is unique. It’s got the highest level of endemism (totally unique species on one site) of pretty much anywhere.
The other thing is the way the wildlife behaves. They’re just completely apathetic to the presence of people. People feel part of the bigger picture there, part of a wider ecosystem – it’s utterly bewitching and utopian.
It’s also the home of evolutionary science. We’ve all seen it a million times on our TV screens, and I think that makes it a real bucket-list destination. But with that comes problems.
What are the challenges?
At the moment it’s just the sheer number of people visiting. When it was set up as a World Heritage site in 1978, UNESCO said it could have about 10,000 visitors a year and now there’s 300,000. I would never say ‘don’t visit’, but I would say ‘travel responsibly’. Invasive species are a massive issue so make sure you’re not bringing anything in with you. Pick your tour operator carefully; make sure they’re contributing towards conservation efforts.
Have the islands changed since your first visit in 2001? There is a lot more footfall, but the infrastructure is now there to deal with those visitors.
What was it like having top conservation guide winner Pablo Valladares as a guide ? It massively enhanced the experience. Pablo was not only our guide but our friend. He is a shining example of why we should be optimistic about the future of the islands. His passion and enthusiasm transmits itself to everyone he meets. We’re all a little bit guilty of trophy hunting with our cameras, but with someone like Pablo you don’t, because you’re listening and learning. Plus, you’re employing a local and injecting money into the economy.
Is it a good place to travel with your family?
Definitely. It’s life altering for little ones. My daughter Isla called it a crazy, fantasy place. It’s somewhere where you walk down the road and you see a sea lion, an iguana, giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies and then sharks in the sea. There’s no better place in the world to make a mini-marine biologist.
Who were the wildlife stars? Probably the marine iguanas. Darwin called them “imps of darkness”, but they’re incredible survivors. They can shrink their skeletons by up to 20% when food is short. And they’re synonymous with the Galápagos.
What is your hope for the future of the archipelago? There is this new generation who are super committed to making a difference. And you have incredible individuals like Pablo leading the effort so I’m more optimistic than I was.
Should people visit?
There’s a really interesting school of thought that says the way to protect the most delicate environments is to send tourists there. It gives them value and makes sure they’re protected. You can travel there as long as you travel well.
My Family and the Galapagos by Monty Halls (Headline, £20) is out now in hardback.