ESPANOLA ISLAND

Espanola Island, or Hood Island, is the most southern in the archipelago and is considered by many visitors to be one of the best. Its distance from the other Galapagos Islands has meant that there are some species that are endemic to this island alone.

These include the Hood mocking bird and the Española lava lizard. The marine iguanas are some of the largest in the Galapagos and have particularly vivid red and green colouration throughout the year.

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Punta Suarez

The landing is a dry one but can be tricky because the sea can be choppy. The trail runs round in a loop and one of the first places is a rock covered and mainly open area where blue footed boobies nest in their hundreds. Virtually everywhere are nesting birds or young boobies being fed.

Further on is a similar place where waved albatrosses are nesting, again on the ground. It is said that the total world population of waved albatrosses can be found here from March to December every year. Near here is a high cliff where the young launch themselves for their first flight.

The Hood mockingbird is a very bold bird and has learnt to take water from the carriers that guides have, and they may also approach tourists to see if they have anything liquid about their person. Tropic birds are very much in evidence and will be flying high overhead.

Further along the trail is a blowhole. Waves coming up against the cliff come up through a hole and produce a noisy spout of spray approaching 100 feet high. There is also the possibilty of seeing one or more of the three species of Darwin finch which are endemic to the island.

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Gardner Bay

On the north east side of the island there is a wet landing onto a long white beach, said to be the longest in the Galapagos.

There is no inland trail and the beach has sea lions and possibly turtles. It is possible to see the three Darwin finch species at this site, and mockingbirds may also be present.

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