Vicky Flores: The Naturalist Guide Sharing the Soul of the Galápagos Islands for SCAPE Magazine | Travel Blog

The Galápagos Islands captivate visitors not only with their natural beauty, but also through the people who bring that beauty to life. The second issue of SCAPE magazine, created by Voyagers Travel Company, pays tribute to the archipelago’s most iconic naturalist guides.

In this exclusive interview, we meet Vicky Flores, a naturalist guide with over 15 years of experience, who shares her story, knowledge, and unique connection to the islands.

Discover the Galápagos through the eyes of an expert and let yourself be inspired to create your own unforgettable experience.

Growing Up, Exploring, and Guiding: Life in the Galápagos Islands

People who inhabit these islands maintain daily contact with natural elements because they view nature as their permanent dwelling rather than a location for recreational visits.

The section presents

A Childhood Surrounded by Nature

Vicky experienced a unique childhood in the Galápagos Islands which gave her a special life perspective that most children never get to experience.

She grew up surrounded by wildlife and natural scenery which outsiders would find amazing but which local people accepted as their daily environment.

During the 1980s and 1990s some islands maintained a single telephone which served their entire population. During this time people who didn't have television sets chose to enjoy hiking and exploring the islands.

The children dedicated their first years to swimming in local lagoon waters as they climbed mangrove trees and watched sea lions and rays and seabirds and took ocean swims.

Her mother told me Vicky learned to swim before she started walking as a baby.

What It Means to Be a Naturalist Guide in Galápagos

Vicky chose to become a naturalist guide because it felt like her destiny which enables her to teach others about her home region.

People from all around the world have crossed her path during her life which led to their lasting friendship. 

The staff needs to train visitors about the significance of defending specific natural environments which face severe risk of damage.

Naturalist guides serve as official representatives for the Islands Galápagos 

The guides use storytelling methods together

Tips for First-Time Visitors to Galápagos

Vicky provides her first travel tip which advises visitors to arrive ready for their upcoming active journey.

Your improved process will lead you to your destination when you bring all required supplies and show your readiness for the assigned task.

You need to bring particular vital items during your journey to the Galápagos Islands because the official visitor guidelines require them.

• Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
• A wide-brim hat
• High-SPF sunscreen
• Lightweight outdoor clothing
• Long-sleeve shirts for sun protection
• Convertible hiking pants
• A waterproof backpack
• A camera or waterproof phone case

People who swim and operate boats must wear polarized sunglasses because these glasses block the light reflections which appear on water surfaces.

Three Key Tips to Experience the Real Galápagos

After many years guiding travelers, Vicky highlights three essential recommendations.

1. Stay long enough

The Galápagos Islands exist as a distant location which contains an amazing variety of living species.

2. Pack the right equipment

Travelers often forget to bring sunscreen and proper walking shoes which they need to have for their trip. People who want to enjoy their trip fully need to bring the correct equipment which will make their travel experience more pleasant. 

3. Come with respect for nature

People who keep open minds while respecting others will discover that their travels create essential human bonds which matter most. 

Vicky’s Favorite Places in the Galápagos

As I journeyed across every island within the archipelago my decision-making skills about preferred islands became completely lost.

Vicky keeps her affection for particular locations which she holds dear to her heart.

Santa Cruz Island

Visitors at Santa Cruz Island can observe giant tortoises moving independently through their natural green environment which exists in the island's highland regions.

North Seymour Island

The explorer chose North Seymour Island as her preferred destination because the island supports large bird populations which include blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigatebirds.

Española Island

The natural habitat of the famous waved albatross makes Española Island a special destination. The nature reserve of Española Island exists as a protected sanctuary which enables the survival of endangered species including the famous waved albatross.

Genovesa Island

The docking area for cruise ships lies within the ancient volcanic caldera that shapes Genovesa Island, opening the door to one of the Galápagos’ most extraordinary birdwatching destinations, where visitors can encounter iconic species such as the red-footed booby alongside vast seabird colonies.

Two Images That Represent the Magic of Galápagos

Vicky selected two photographs which demonstrate fundamental aspects of the Galápagos Islands because they show the archipelago's natural habitats through distinct representations of terrestrial and aquatic environments.

Giant tortoises

The first photo shows giant tortoises wandering freely through Santa Cruz Island's elevated regions. The Galápagos tortoise population serves as a vital emblem which represents all land-dwelling species in the Galápagos Islands while showing how conservation efforts have

Marine wildlife

The second image shows the Galápagos marine environment which exists in its natural state. The photo selection by Vicky shows an underwater scene which displays various fish species together with other marine wildlife and sharks.

The two pictures show Vicky how Galápagos achieves its unique status through its perfect combination of ocean life and mountain wilderness.

A Moment That Touched Her Soul

The guide encounters various experiences during her work but she remembers one specific event which occurred right after the pandemic ended. 

During the first tour after travel restrictions ended a visitor at the Giant Tortoise Breeding Center asked Vicky to give them a hug. 

The two people hugged each other while they started to cry as nature surrounded them. 

Vicky learned about human strength through this experience because people develop stronger bonds with nature after they survive challenging situations.

The Dream of Producing Galápagos Coffee

During the pandemic, Vicky and her husband began working on a family farm in the highlands of Santa Cruz.

The team started with a brief project which evolved into their main objective of creating organic Galápagos coffee production.

The farmers operate their coffee cultivation through volcanic soil which contains abundant mineral content while they plan to establish a coffee shop that teaches visitors about coffee production techniques.

What Travelers Appreciate Most About the Experience

The guide views her role through which she helps travelers who show special interest in particular elements of the experience that:

• Well designed itineraries adapted to the traveler’s available time
• Carefully selected visits to the best sites on each island
• High-quality services including gastronomy, logistics, and excursions
• Flexibility to adapt activities according to the group’s needs
• The complete flow of every element brings back memories from the entire travel experience which results in a single seamless experience

Vicky finds her greatest achievement through watching guests depart from the islands with joy while they develop a strong bond with their travel destination.

Many of them even dream of returning.

The Legend of the Water of Pelican Bay

Some time ago, in the heart of Pelican Bay, now the place Vicky calls home one of Galápagos’ most charming legends was born.

The story goes that a Swiss pioneer, a naval carpenter, once lived in this area, working with a remarkably strong wood known as matazarno. With ingenuity, he set up a wind vane system that allowed him to draw water from a volcanic crevice. It wasn’t fresh water something scarce on the islands, but rather brackish water, slightly salty, yet surprisingly pleasant to drink.

Over time, a belief emerged: anyone who drank from this water would never truly leave. It was as if the islands themselves chose you, gently holding you within their magic and mystery.

Vicky smiles as she recalls it. Even in her own family, the legend lives on. Her father often jokes with her mother, saying, “You must have drunk the water from Pelican Bay… that’s why you stayed here forever.”

Because in Galápagos, some stories aren’t just told… they are lived.

Participation in Voyagers Travel Company’s Magazine

Voyagers Travel Company features its own magazine, SCAPE, a platform dedicated to highlighting tourism experts and industry professionals. In this edition, the spotlight is on Galápagos naturalist guides the individuals who make each journey possible and create meaningful connections between travelers and this extraordinary destination.

Acknowledgment to the Magazine

During the interview, Vicky Flores expressed her gratitude to Voyagers Travel Company for including her in this edition, noting that

 “These initiatives help make Galápagos more widely known, especially the work of the guides who make exploration possible.” 

She also shared her appreciation for being part of a project that not only showcases the destination, but also recognizes the people behind the experience, inspiring greater awareness and respect for the islands and their conservation.

A Final Message for Travelers

For Vicky Flores, sharing her story is a way of inviting people from around the world to discover the magic of the islands.

Her message to travelers is simple: arrive with curiosity, respect for nature, and the desire to experience something truly unique.

Galápagos is more than a destination, it is a place that can transform the way we understand nature and our connection to the planet.

And for those who visit, it often becomes a place they will never forget.

FAQs

 

How many days should I spend in the Galápagos Islands?

Travelers need to spend between five and seven days for their ideal vacation because they want to explore multiple islands while participating in hiking and snorkeling and wildlife observation activities.

What clothing should I bring to Galápagos?

You need to bring lightweight outdoor clothes together with long-sleeve shirts and convertible hiking pants and swimwear and a wide-brim hat and a lightweight raincoat.

What items should I bring with me for my upcoming trip?

You need to bring sunscreen and walking shoes that provide comfort and polarized sunglasses and a backpack which protects against water and a camera or phone case that resists water damage.

Is Galápagos an active destination?

Yes. Visitors need to trek through natural paths before swimming with ocean animals so they must prepare for an energetic adventure.

How can I book a Galápagos tour?

You can reserve your journey by selecting from their expedition cruise options or their personalized hotel programs which match your preferred travel approach and time availability.
To explore the available options and start planning your Galápagos tour with Voyagers Travel Company.