The Southern Islands of the Galapagos

Floreana

Isla Floreana has not only the rare wildlife and spectacular landscape that exists on all the Galapagos Islands, but also an interesting history. Floreana was the first island to be inhabited by humans over one hundred years ago. The town o fPuerto Velasco Ibarra has a a few places for tourists to stay the night, such as Pension Wittmer, where you can choose private baths or not, and ocean views or not, depending on your budget. They serve meals here, too. The owners have fourth generation Germans and the hotel is very friendly.

La Corona del Diablo, or the Devil's Crown, is near Punta Cormorant and is an underwater crater with a sharp drop-off which fish love. This is some great scuba and snorkeling, so bring your swimsuit and dive in. Yes, there are sharks so be careful. Dive with a group and keep your eyes open.

There is also Asilo de la Paz, which was the first settlement on Floreana. Caves were carved out by the first arrivals here, but we're not sure what the purpose was. As for wildlife, look for the medium tree finch, found on on Floreana.

Punta Cormorant has flamingos and great beaches. There are tiny green crystals on the beach, which you don't find everywhere on earth! They are olivine and are a product of volcanic activity. Don't miss the flamingo lagoons, either.

Visit Post Office Bay to check out the post office barrel. You can take letters from it to post when you get home, or deliver in person if you want. There's a trail behind the post office barrel, (which was originally placed here in 1793 by the way), that leads to a lava tunnel that's 100 meters deep and has an underground salt-water pool.

San Cristobal

Isla San Cristobal is large and has an airport and it's quite near the mainland. It also holds the administrative offices of the Galapagos Islands. It has more infrastructure, so it's easier to explore San Cristobal without having to hire a boat. Quite a few toursists come here, and the southern part of the island is pleasant with moist conditions and cool breezes.

Espanola

Espanola is the southernmost island in the Galapagos chain, and consequently it's a very isolated island. That makes it a great island to visit when you come to the Galapagos Islands! Because of its far distance from the other islands in the chain, there has been little migration of species to and from Espanola, so many of the creatures here are found nowhere else on earth, not even the other Galapagos Islands. The birds are the most unique, including the waved albatross.

Visit Punta Suarez to se sea lions, marine iguanas and the Espanola mockingbird, and especially the waved albatross. There are 12,000 pairs of these comical birds in the world, and almost all of them breed here on Espanola from April to December. Their mating dance is a unique spectacle you have to see, and it can last up to five days. It incorporates stumbling and honking, so imagine the show you'll get! There's also a walking trail around Punta Suarez which leads to a blowhole.

Gardner Bay has the white sands that will make you think you're in paradise. If white sand isn't enough of a draw, consider the dancing sea lions on the beach, or the long open shoreline of lava rock that you're free to explore without a guide. You can go snorkeling in Gardner Bay, or visit Isla Tortuga for even better snorkeling.