Javier Carrion

Javier grew up on Santa Cruz Island where his grandparents first arrived in the 1940´s. Veritable pioneers, his grandparents settled in the highlands where they found a place to raise their children.

 

Having grown up surrounded by the pristine environment of the islands, Javier showed an interest and appreciation for nature. As a small child, he knew that he would dedicate his career to understanding and protecting the natural world. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in biology in Quito and later traveled abroad to Baja California, Mexico to pursue a master's in marine and coastal science. Javier has worked as a marine biologist for years, primarily focusing on sea turtle ecology and conservation in Mexico, Costa Rica, and the Galápagos Islands. He worked at the Charles Darwin Research Station as part of the Galápagos Marine Reserve ecology monitoring team.

 

His passion for traveling led him to explore the American continent for five years. Javier spent a year traveling throughout South America on a bicycle with a team of collaborators to raise awareness about nature conservation and environmental education in youth. Javier saw guiding as a unique opportunity to bring together his love and appreciation for nature with his passion to share his experience and perspectives about the Galápagos Islands. In addition to working as a naturalist guide, Javier spends his time surfing, playing music, practicing yoga and designing appropriate technologies for a sustainable living in Galápagos.