23 students and two sponsors will travel to the Galápagos in a Deep Dive March 8, where they will immerse themselves in the beauty of the islands.
The trip to the Galápagos is one of seven travel Deep Dives offered and is referred to as a “journey of discovery,” according to the 2026 Deep Dive Catalog. On the various islands of Galápagos, participants will hike landmarks, snorkel in the ocean and explore the history of the islands.
Science teacher Tracy McNair is a sponsor of the trip. She is excited about the Deep Dive and is eager to encounter the wonders of the islands.
“I can’t imagine being able to experience this,” McNair said. “Students should have an open mind and be ready to learn, see and experience things that are once in a lifetime.”
In order to enter the Galápagos, travelers must meet certain requirements or obtain a Visa from the government. McNair highlighted these particular conditions.
“When you travel to the islands, you have to set up with a travel company or have a connection with a naturalist there,” McNair said. “Because of the fragile ecosystem, they are very particular about what you’re bringing onto the islands.”
This Deep Dive has caught the attention of many students who are hoping to learn more about biodiversity and the environment, such as junior Nora Dameron. She said the travel Deep Dives completely change students’ viewpoints on the world, and they are full of amazing opportunities. Dameron wants to learn more about environmental conservation of the Galápagos, considering its delicate nature.
“One of the biggest things that we are hoping students learn from this trip is biodiversity conservation and the importance of this unique ecosystem,” McNair said. “There’s so much that can come from the trip, as far as how the students work together, learn from each other, and travel in the culture. It almost seems surreal.”
Although there are plentiful reasons to look forward to the experience that the islands provide, freshman Maddie McCluskey is worried about her safety when she travels to the Galápagos.
“I did a little research, and I found that Ecuador has one of the highest homicide rates in the world, and the highest in South America, which really scares me,” McCluskey said. “My family friend, who is actually from Ecuador, told me that Quito is very dangerous. We’re staying in Quito for three nights. I just want to make sure that everyone is safe.”
McCluskey described a unique challenge of the lack of safe drinking water during the trip. In the Galápagos, all water is unsafe for human consumption, meaning everything from brushing your teeth to taking a quick drink requires store-bought water.
“We can’t drink any of the water there, so we have to have bottled water. Our bodies aren’t used to the minerals and chemicals in the water in other countries,” McCluskey said. “I know that I’ll be safe with my tour guide and my chaperones, and I trust that Sion will keep me safe.”