Española Island
Without any doubt, Española is a place to understand the fauna of the Galápagos Archipelago. The key for evolution is isolation and time, and this island, being located at the southernmost point, is also the oldest. Therefore many of the species found here are unique for this place and this morning we found all of them. Española marine iguanas, Espanola lava lizards, Española mockingbirds, and waved albatross are just an example of the endemism found in this oceanic place.
Many other species unique to this isolated environment were also found this morning such as Galápagos hawks, Nazca boobies, three species of Darwin finches and the ever present blue footed boobies, and this time they are breeding! We also have giant tortoises on Española, but since the population is still growing (thanks to the Galápagos National Park’s breeding program) the tortoise area is still closed to visitors. That’s a good excuse for us to come back someday to see them in the near future!
After a mile and a half walk, and after enjoying the view of a long cliff covered by hundreds of sea birds, we returned before noon to collect snorkeling equipment and to continue the adventure in the afternoon in a different location at the same Island.
The first ones to go out were the glass bottom boaters followed by those going to deep water snorkeling. Last but not least were people going straight to the beach for snorkeling lessons and getting ready for a new world, the underwater realm of Galápagos.
All of these activities filled our day, and this is without even mentioning that before the sun set every one of our guests had had the opportunity to walk over a coralline beach with hundreds of resting Galápagos sea lions and for a group of adventurers, kayaking was offered in a satellite islet of Española Island.
Being here in Galápagos surrounded by many ocean currents you just can’t miss water activities: baby Galápagos sea lions, sting rays, tropical fish, cold water fish and oceanic fish are just a sample of the abundance of sea life in Galápagos.
