A very short walk from the beach leads you to the famous Post Office Barrel. Claimed to have been first setup in 1793 by Captain James Colnett it remains the oldest functioning ‘post office´ in the Pacific. The system was that whalers and fur sealers would leave addressed letters in the barrel to be picked up by homeward bound colleagues. In the spirit of maintaining tradition visitors today will often take letters and hand-deliver them in their home countries.
Highlights: Darwin finches, green Pacific turtles, historical place since 1793.
Disembarking: wet landing
Physical Condition: low
Type of terrain: sandy & rocky
Activities: 45 min dinghy ride / 45 min visit / 1 hour 15 min beach snorkeling / 30 min kayaking
On arriving, the observant visitor will notice that olivine, a volcanic crystal, has proffered a subtle green hue on the dark beach. Your walk takes you past island-endemic Scalesia plants to a large, shallow, lagoon often inhabited by a variable number of shockingly pink greater flamingoes. You continue through a forest of palo santo trees to arrive at a powdery white beach, a nesting area of green turtles. As you paddle barefoot in the shallow water you will spot diamond stingrays and white-tipped reef sharks. This coral-sand beach marks the end of your trail, and you head back to the olivine beach you landed on, to swim or snorkel amongst sea turtles, reef fish, sea lions and, on a good day, white-tipped reef sharks. A small colony of penguins resides on Floreana and can sometimes be observed as well.
One of the favorite snorkeling sites in the islands. Devil’s Crown, an eroded volcanic cone, is home to an abundance of fish and marine animals. You will swim with big schools of yellow-tailed surgeonfish, salemas and creole fish and with luck may spot turtles, spotted eagle rays, parrotfish, and even hammerhead sharks! The jagged ‘crown’ is a roosting area for boobies, noddies, tropicbirds, and frigates.
Highlights: White & black mangrove, flamingoes, sea lions and sea turtles. / Sting rays, white-tipped shark, and colorful fish.
Disembarking: wet landing
Physical Condition: low
Type of terrain: sandy & flat
Activities: 45 min glass-bottom boat or 45 min deep or beach snorkeling / 1 hour 45 min hike