Galapagos High Sea

East of the Galápagos, open water separates the volcanic islands from the South American mainland. Currents flowing through the eastern Pacific carry marine life between the coast and the archipelago. In 1535 the ship of Tomás de Berlanga, bishop of Panama, drifted off course on a journey toward Peru and reached the islands. His account described a strange, dry land and the difficulties of finding fresh water for his crew.