ESPAÑOLA ISLAND (Hood)
Located in the Southeast corner of the Galapagos Islands, Española Island is considered one of the most beautiful islands on the archipelago and heaven for birdwatchers. Two visitors’ sites, Suarez Point and Gardner Bay, attract visitors from all over the world to observe the famous blowhole (Soplador), the magnificent and romantic waved albatrosses, and the unique Christmas Iguanas. Complementing, Española Island also has an extraordinary snorkeling and kayaking site with abundant marine wildlife.
There are three visitors’ sites on this island:
- Gardner Bay,
- Suarez Point,
- Gardner and Osborn Islets.
Highlights and Wildlife: Christmas Iguana, waved albatrosses, blue-footed and Nazca boobies, sea lions, Española mockingbird, whitetip reef shark, manta rays, Wrasse, Parrot fish, Scorpionfish, Surgeonfish, Galapagos doves, Galapagos hawks, Sally Lightfoot crabs, Red-billed, Tropic birds
Activities: hiking, snorkeling, SUP
Total Area: 23 mi2/ 37km2
Population: 0 (uninhabited)
- Gardner Bay (Bahía Gardner)
- Suarez Point (Punta Suarez)
- Gardner and Osborn Islets.
Voted by CNN as one of the Top 20 beaches in the world, Gardner Bay is a paradisiac site with beautiful white coral sand and turquoise waters. Visitors can relax and sunbathe next to a colony of sea lions and surrounded by Española Mockingbirds. In addition, they can explore a marvelous marine reserve, snorkeling or kayaking near the beach. If you enjoy the water, you can have a closer encounter with marine wildlife at Turtle Rock, a semi submerged tuff cone located in front of the beach. Highlights and Wildlife: White Sand Beach, whitetip reef shark, manta rays, Wrasse, Parrot fish, Scorpionfish, and Surgeonfish, Landing: Wet landing Activities: Walking, Sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling Activity Difficulty:
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Voted by CNN as one of the Top 20 beaches in the world, Gardner Bay is a paradisiac site with beautiful white coral sand and turquoise waters. Visitors can relax and sunbathe next to a colony of sea lions and surrounded by Española Mockingbirds. In addition, they can explore a marvelous marine reserve, snorkeling or kayaking near the beach. If you enjoy the water, you can have a closer encounter with marine wildlife at Turtle Rock, a semi submerged tuff cone located in front of the beach. Highlights and Wildlife: White Sand Beach, whitetip reef shark, manta rays, Wrasse, Parrot fish, Scorpionfish, and Surgeonfish, Landing: Wet landing Activities: Walking, Sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling Activity Difficulty:
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