Galapagos by Jenny Cook, Ronnie Crosbie, and James RD Scott

The Galapagos Islands are as close as you’re ever going to get to that childhood Dr Doolittle fantasy. Though conversation is limited, you’ll find yourself within wingspan of Giant Albatross, Red, Blue Footed and Masked Boobies, Male Frigate birds (they’re the one that pump up a balloon on the front of their chest, over the duration of an entire day, to impress the super promiscuous females) and many other hard to spot species, including all 13 of Darwin’s Finches. In the water you’ll find yourself dancing with sea lions either for fun or out of a good sense of self-preservation, they’re as playful as Labradors and equally intelligent. Both land and sea iguanas litter the rocks and you may even see a cross breed of the two that only live for one generation.

The unexpected addition to the foray of mixed delights is the islands themselves. Each has different characteristics dependent on the force and depth of the volcanic blast that formed them. Live-aboard boats are the only way to see all the islands and they are as varied as the inhabitancy of each, but don’t fret over the choice too much as even if you end up with a crazed captain on a boat called The Bounty it won’t detract from what is really on offer, a truly unique up very close and personal encounter with nature.