Galapagos

Highlights

San Cristóbal and nearby eastern islands

San Cristóbal (Chatham) Island
The town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the official capital, (Wreck Bay) is growing fast with a nearby airstrip. There is a useful Visitor Interpetation Centre.

Frigatebird Hill (Cerro de las tijeretas) just a short walk from the town is a hill where both species of frigatebird live. The hill drops off to a steep cliff, and a good view of the bay below makes the climb worthwhile. The round trip is 2km. You can cool off at the beach on the way back.

Punta Pitt: On the extreme NE of San Cristóbal, this site is worthwhile for the chance to see all three species of booby. The landing is wet, on a green sand beach (with the usual sea lion welcome). The trail climbs up the side of a steep tuff cliff. It is quite an energetic up and down trail but the views beckon one on. Frigates can be seen in the palo santo trees, whilst red-footed boobies prefer the smaller trees. Masked boobies and blue-foots stake claims on the ground.

Española (Hood) Island
Punta Suarez: a spectacular site with many nesting seabirds and dramatic cliff scenery and the famous 'blow-hole'. The cliffs on the southern side make an ideal take-off for the huge albatross (April to December). Large marine iguanas are more colourful than elsewhere with hues of red and green. The trail continues through colonies of masked boobies, dancing blue-footed boobies keeping a watchful eye for a Galapagos hawk that will pick off any chicks left unguarded, above are red-billed tropic birds. Lava lizards are bigger here than other islands; the mockingbirds also differ with longer bills.

Gardner Bay: A dazzling white coral sand beach, one of the longest in Galapagos; home to sea lions or exhausted turtles having laid eggs. In the bushes behind you can spot Darwin's finches found here plus mockingbirds, the Galapagos Martin and playing along the surf small wading birds. Snorkelling off the islets in the bay are excellent with schools of yellow-tailed surgeon fish and the odd white-tipped reef shark.

Floreana (Charles) Island
Where long extinct eruptions and parasitic cones now covered in forest. The first island to be inhabited, many introduced species are found and tortoises are extinct as a result. The islets off the coast of Floreana like Champion and Enderby are the only places where the Charles Island Mockingbird exist, as they have been wiped out on the main island.

Punta Cormorant: The sand is greenish due to the high amount of a volcanic minerals.

Beachcombing reveals sea urchins and shells along the strand. There are plants that are unique to this part of Floreana and a species of daisy tree Scalesia. The large brackish lagoon holds one of the biggest populations of flamingos that parade around like regimental soldiers. They sometimes nest here.

A short walk goes to the 'flour' sand beach, which is a delightful spot to relax, turtles and rays frequent it.

Devil's Crown: is worth a dip for those with snorkelling experience. This sunken cone has been filled by the sea, corals abound with reef fishes such as parrot fish. Larger fish school outside the crater.