Espanola Island
A great day that marks a golden finale to the wonderful week we have spent cruising around the Galápagos onboard the Islander.
Espanola Island is one of the gems of this remote and famous archipelago. Espanola is the southern most island of the archipelago and it is only 23 square miles. It is considered a highlight of any given trip due to the uniqueness and abundance of its wildlife. Several species that inhabit Espanola Island are not only endemic to the Galápagos but to this particular island. Colourful marine iguanas, inquisitive mockingbirds, elegant waved albatrosses and lava lizards are the endemic creatures that inhabit this island. It is also possible to observe Galápagos sea lions, Nazca boobies, Darwin’s finches, swallow tailed gulls and Galápagoss hawks. Sea lions are the favourite animals for many of our visitors. In our visit today we had the opportunity to see them by the landing site and by the beach. Adult females lying down on the sand, males patrolling in the water and the most special of all baby sea lions, like the one you can see in the picture today. Small sea lions are always very fun to watch, they look so much like pups that you really want to feed them, touch them and pet them. Obviously that is not allowed to do in the Galápagoss, but the fact that you can see these animals so close and they are totally unafraid of humans make you feel like you are visiting a paradise.
A great day that marks a golden finale to the wonderful week we have spent cruising around the Galápagos onboard the Islander.
Espanola Island is one of the gems of this remote and famous archipelago. Espanola is the southern most island of the archipelago and it is only 23 square miles. It is considered a highlight of any given trip due to the uniqueness and abundance of its wildlife. Several species that inhabit Espanola Island are not only endemic to the Galápagos but to this particular island. Colourful marine iguanas, inquisitive mockingbirds, elegant waved albatrosses and lava lizards are the endemic creatures that inhabit this island. It is also possible to observe Galápagos sea lions, Nazca boobies, Darwin’s finches, swallow tailed gulls and Galápagoss hawks. Sea lions are the favourite animals for many of our visitors. In our visit today we had the opportunity to see them by the landing site and by the beach. Adult females lying down on the sand, males patrolling in the water and the most special of all baby sea lions, like the one you can see in the picture today. Small sea lions are always very fun to watch, they look so much like pups that you really want to feed them, touch them and pet them. Obviously that is not allowed to do in the Galápagoss, but the fact that you can see these animals so close and they are totally unafraid of humans make you feel like you are visiting a paradise.
