Africa Berdonces

Biography

Africa grew up in the Galapagos Islands. She had a wonderful childhood exploring the islands with her family and being surrounded by exquisite nature. At the age of 12, she had her first scuba diving lesson off the coast of Sombrero-Chino Island with her father as her instructor. This experience opened up a new and unexplored part of the natural world to her. Africa became enchanted by local marine life and would go on to become a Dive Master and work as a dive guide and naturalist guide in her beloved islands.

With well over 500 dives and innumerable underwater wildlife encounters, she had developed a close relationship with her marine environment, but desired to venture further. She decided to cross the Pacific Ocean on board a traditional Polynesian canoe. Powered by wind instead of fuel, and guided by the stars instead of a GPS, she crossed the Pacific using traditional navigation methods. On this unique voyage she felt an indescribable connection with the ocean—a connection that reinforced her dedication to protecting what she loves: the world’s oceans.

With the aim of contributing to the environmental protection of the Galapagos Islands, she obtained a Protected Area Management master’s degree in Cairns, Australia. Upon returning to her country, she served as the International Promoter of the country’s natural resources and culture. She has also been involved with the Galapagos National Park work team that is tasked with the conservation and protection of her islands. She believes that the Galapagos can one day be an example of humans living in harmony with nature. She has chosen to dedicate her life to the plight of our planet’s ocean ecosystems.