The 2004 Miss Universe Contest is to be held on June 1 in Quito, Ecuador.

The reigning Miss Universe, Amelia Vega of the Dominican Republic, visited the Galapagos on May 21, 2004. She was accompanied by Miss Colombia, Miss Aruba, Miss Czech Republic and Miss Angola.

Galapagos National Park director Edwin Naula guided Miss Vega and the contestants to North Seymour Island on board the Park Patrol boat Guadalupe River .

The contestants did a photo shoot with tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobys, frigate birds and Galapagos seals.

Amelia Vega said, ""... I am astonished at the Galápagos islands, this is incredible, to be so near the marine iguanas. It very much moved me. The Galápagos are a treasure to Humanity"

The next day, Amelia Vega and the four 2004 contestants visited the nursery for the giant tortoises on Santa Cruz island. There they were declared Godmothers to five of the recently born giant tortoises.

Captain Paul Watson gave Amelia Vega a letter thanking her for helping to focus international attention on the Galapagos.

Highlights of the Miss Universe visit to the Galapagos will be shown on the NBC coverage of the Miss Universe contest to be held in Quito on June 1 st , 2004