Floreana Island, known also as Santa Maria or Charles Island, sits in the southern region of the archipelago, bathed by the Crownwell Current. We woke up early today to visit Cormorant Point before breakfast to see greater flamingoes. Surprisingly, we also found three Chilean flamingoes among them. The temperature was lovely as we walked along a white sandy beach, where evidence of nesting by Pacific green sea turtles was everywhere.
After breakfast, we sailed to Champion Island where we took a boat ride looking for the elusive Floreana mockingbird, which is extinct on the main islands. There are about two hundred mockingbirds left on the four satellite islets that surround Floreana, we hope to use this group as stock to repopulate the main island, once we have cleared the invasive species that caused their demise.
Champion is a great snorkeling site as well, and a large colony of California sea lions greet the visitors and play constantly throughout the activity. On the eastern side there is a drop off where the current hits the island, and nutrients upwell, drawing schools of king angels, snappers, groupers, grunts and creole fish among others. Underneath, endemic yellow black coral is plentiful, and usually white-tipped reef sharks and spotted eagle rays are seen.
After snorkeling we went to Post Office Bay, where we kayaked and left postcards to be delivered for free by visitors. This tradition has been going on since the eighteen century without interruption and never over budget. After sunset, a delicious dinner awaited for us onboard the National Geographic Endeavour.
Another day in Paradise comes to an end.
