Española Island, on the southeastern end of the archipelago is an old shield volcano that is slowly but surely losing the battle against the elements after drifting over 200 kilometers from its birthplace. Moving above of the Nazca Plate, it has drifted so far from its birthplace that it is effectively losing the life force that fuels most volcanic activity in this group of islands. Despite being presently only a fraction of its original size, it is still home to vast numbers of seabirds, as well as an endemic species of mockingbird and lava lizard. During the morning hours, we explored the northeastern end of the island at Gardner Bay and nearby Gardner Islet as well as the western end at Suarez Point during the afternoon.
3/17/2025
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National Geographic Islander II
Española Island
Today, we had the opportunity to visit Española Island, the oldest island in the Galápagos, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife. We began our morning with a kayaking activity in Gardner Bay where we encountered playful sea lions, majestic green sea turtles, and witnessed an unforgettable sunrise over the calm waters. After this peaceful experience, we disembarked onto Gardner Beach where we walked along the soft, fine sand of this magical place, home to one of the largest sea lion colonies in the Galápagos. We even had the chance to swim with these incredible creatures, watching them play joyfully in the waves. In the afternoon, we explored Punta Suárez where we observed an astonishing variety of wildlife. We spotted Galápagos hawks soaring above us, marine iguanas basking in the sun, and lava lizards darting across the rocks. The Española mockingbirds, known for their curiosity, came close to inspect us. The abundance of wildlife in this amazing place was truly a sight to behold. What a wonderful day we had exploring Española!