The Galapagos’ most southern island, named Hood Island by the English, is considered, to be one of the oldest of the Galapagos Islands at 4 million years of age. It is thought that Espanola Island was formed when lavas were extruded beneath the water’s surface, later uplifting to form an island. The terrain is relatively flat with a few hills and vegetation is rather arid, consisting mainly of thorny plants.
Espanola Island Size: 60 Square Kilometers
Espanola Island Population: 0
Espanola Island Max Altitude: 206 metres above sea level
Espanola Island Top Wildlife
Waved albatross, giant tortoise, Espanola lava lizards, Darwin’s finches, blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, green sea turtles, sea lions, manta rays, white tipped reef sharks, king angelfish.
Espanola Island Visitor Sites
Gardner Bay
Gardner Bay is on the northeast of the island and a stop here welcomes you with a big white sandy beach peppered with lazy sea lions basking in the heat of the sun. Fearless Hood mockingbirds investigate the new arrivals, often landing on heads in their search of food. The clear waters are perfect for snorkelling and you may encounter the playful sea lions in the waves, as well as rather large tropical fish, such as yellow-tailed surgeonfish and the rather comical looking bump-head parrotfish. You may even spot sea turtles swimming or a white-tipped reef shark snapping on the ocean floor.
Punta Suarez
At Punta Suarez, you are often welcomed by sea lion pups as their elders surf the waves. Follow a trail through a rookery spotting Nazca boobies and blue footed boobies, as well as Galapagos doves, cactus finch and mockingbirds foraging. Keep on the trail to spot a blowhole created from black lava, moving on to ‘Albatross Airport’, where these magnificent, winged creatures launch themselves out over the crashing ocean – further from the cliff you will find their nesting site.
Espanola Island Birdlife
After a successful program to remove feral species, Espanola Island is considered the most pristine of the islands with many species of migrant and endemic birds. Endemic species include a rather colourful marine iguana, the Hood mockingbird and a special little lava lizard, all repatriated as a result of a breeding program by the Charles Darwin Research Station and Galapagos National Park. The star of the show is the endemic Waved Albatross, and this island is one of only two places in the world where these intriguing birds' nest.
