GENERAL INFORMATION

DESCRIPTION

 

This island is the furthest south and most famous for its waved albatross community. The community is found on the island from late March to early December, and one of the most incredible sea birds found on the Galapagos. It's worth planning your trip around the time this bird will be on the islands.

There are two visitor sites on the island: Punta Suarez and Gardner Bay. Getting off on the western side of the island, you're met by a colony of breeding marine iguanas, bright red and ready to go! The 2-km trail leads through colonies of blue-footed boobies and masked-boobies to a blowhole. The waves force the water up through this hole, up to twenty meters in the air. It's best to go in the morning, during high tide, because if you go later on, you might not get a chance to see the water blow out so high.

Gardner Bay, on the eastern side of the island, has some great rocks for snorkeling and a beautiful beach for resting and sea lion watching. White-tipped sharks, puffer fish, and colorful tropical fish fill the waters around Gardner Bay. It's simply beautiful.

Visitor Sites:

Gardner Bay
Punta Suarez

FAUNA

 

ESPANOLA saddle-back turtle -- At one time, they were reduced to 12 females and 2 males. Thanks to the Charles Darwin Research Foundation, they are being breed and re-introduced in the island. By 1995, 700 turtles were re-introduced, and it looks promising! You'll also see marine iguanas, waved albatross, red-billed tropic bird, Mockingbirds, blue-footed and masked boobies, and a kaleidoscope of sealife.

 

FLORA

 

Acacia
Palo Verde
Saltbrush
Scrub vegetation

ACTIVITIES

Walks
Snorkling
Scuba diving
Birdwatching
Cycling
Sea Kayaks
Sun and beach
Bars, restaurants and discos
Tours
Surfing

 

 

LINKS