"Isla Española" Isla Española by MalenaN

Isla Española Travel Guide: 26 reviews and 204 photos

Marine Iguanas, Isla Espanola - Isla Española

Sea Lions at Punta Suarez

Isla Española is the southernmost island in the archipelago, situated about 90km southeast of Isla Santa Cruz. The island is small, around 61 sq km and it is one of the oldest islands. It was formed around 3.3 million years ago by volcanic activity, but it has since than moved away from the geological hot spot and there is no longer any volcanic activity on Isla Española. Isla Española is also called Hood.

Because of its remote location there are many endemic species and subspecies on Isla Española, like the Hood Mockingbird, the Lava Lizard and the Marin Iguana (which on Española has a red colouring, that becomes more green during breeding season). The population of Giant Tortoises on the island got almost extinct because of introduced goats and hunting. In the 1960s there were only 12 females and 2 males left, but thanks to a restoration program made by the Charles Darwin Research Station, 700 tortoises could be reintroduced on Isla Española in 1995.

Waved Albatrosses at Punta Suarez

There are two visitor sites on Isla Española. One is the long white sandy beach at Gardner Bay where you can see Sea Lions and Marin Iguanas, among other things. The other visitor site is Punta Suárez, a highlight because of its abundant wildlife. At Punta Suarez you can see the Waved Albatrosses and Blue-footed Boobies perform their courtship ritual. Something that is amazing to see! It is the only breeding site for the Waved Albatross and they can be seen around April - November.

Isla Española can now only be visited on cruise tours. I came here on the 4th day of the cruise with M/S Cachalote. We visited Gardner Bay in the morning. After visiting the beach for 2h we snorkelled at a small rocky island off shore. After lunch we navigated to Punta Suárez where we spent 3h walking the trail. Because there were so much to see we could easily have stayed longer, but it was getting dark so we had to return to the boat.

Last visit to Isla Española: Jul 2011
Intro Updated May 28, 2012
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Reviews (16)

The beach at Gardener Bay, Isla Española - Isla Española

Gardener Bay Things to Do (16)

Gardener Bay is situated on the northeast side of Isla Española and here there is a beautiful long white sandy beach and... more travel advice

Marine Iguana at Gardner Bay - Isla Española

Snorkelling near Gardner Bay Things to Do (16)

After visiting the beach at Gardner Bay we went back to Cachalote for a quick change and then went to the panga again to... more travel advice

Punta Suárez, Isla Española, Galapagos Islands - Isla Española

Punta Suárez Things to Do (16)

To visit Punta Suárez on Isla Española was definitely a highlight on the Galapagos cruise with M/S Cachalote, because of... more travel advice

Waved Albatross, Punta Suarez, Isla Española - Isla Española

Waved Albatross Things to Do (16)

The only place the Waved Albatrosses (Diomedea irrorata) breed is at Punta Suarez on Isla Española. They are the largest... more travel advice

Travelogues (7)

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Comments (6)

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BruceDunning May 28, 2013 at 2:03 PM

Nature sure is unique and hopefully we keep it intact as best possible. Nice presentation
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  MalenaN May 28, 2013 at 9:11 PM
  
  Yes, the wildlife on Isla Española is amazing! Thanks for visiting Bruce!
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balhannah Nov 10, 2012 at 11:11 PM

Another wonderful page! Just love reading about all your adventures, about the wildlife and birdlife and viewing the lovely photo's you have taken.
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  MalenaN Nov 10, 2012 at 11:24 PM
  
  Thank you Dee! Isla Española was a wonderful place to visit, and one of the highlights in Galapagos Islands.
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Nemorino May 13, 2012 at 12:37 PM

That’s an impressive video of the courtship ritual of the Waved Albatrosses. I suppose that’s the male on the left who makes those clacking noises with his bill several times.
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Redang May 12, 2012 at 2:25 AM

Stunning pics (mostly the one of the iguanas)
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Yaqui Apr 5, 2012 at 9:07 PM

You should work for National Geographic! Awesome page!
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Carguja Jan 22, 2012 at 11:15 AM

extraordinary place to visit