Espanola Island - Galapagos Travel Guide

Gardner Bay – For most of the year, the sea lions and sea lion pups are the main attraction at Gardner Bay. But from April until December, this white sandy beach is the nesting site for nearly all of the 12,000 remaining pairs of waved albatrosses. Other than a small colony on Isla de la Plata by Ecuador’s mainland, the world’s entire waved albatross population can be seen here. There are also three species of finches here and occasionally a giant tortoise.

Suarez Point – Here, explorers will be astounded as they watch the endemic albatrosses launch themselves off of the cliff and take flight. But the site is known for more than just the birds – a blowhole on the cliff’s edge blasts water into the air as the waves crash into the bottom of it. This blowhole has become a popular attraction at Suarez Point.

Osborn Islet – The tranquil white sands of this site make it an ideal home for sea lions and their pups. You can swim, kayak, and snorkel right in their company as they glide through the water.

Espanola Island, one of the most remote islands of the Galapagos, is home to the large colony of waved albatrosses in the archipelago, as well as sea lions, marine iguanas and other unique species. Take a guided walk along its rocky coastline and observe these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat.

• Espanola Island is home to a variety of endemic wildlife species, including the Espanola mockingbird, lava lizards, and the impressive waved albatross.
• Espanola is known for being the only breeding site for the entire population of the waved albatrosses of the planet. This limitation is the reason why the species was listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
• The waved albatross is the largest bird in the archipelago. It can measure up to 3 feet in length and 8 feet of wingspan. It's also known for having a peculiar and entertaining courtship ritual where males partake in a mating dance that involves sword fighting with their bills. 
• Espanola boasts some of the most dramatic landscapes in the Galapagos Islands, including dramatic cliffs, beautiful beaches, and hidden coves. Visitors will be met with breathtaking views of the ocean.
• Espanola Island is one of the most isolated islands in the Galapagos and is part of the Galapagos Islands National Park.
• Some of Espanolas favorite visitor sites include Suarez Point or Punta Suarez in Spanish, and Gardner Bay. 

Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela, Fernandina, Santiago, Chinese Hat, Rabida, Genovesa, Baltra, Bartolome, Santa Fe, South Plazas, North Seymour, Mosquera, Daphne Islands, and Wolf & Darwin Islands.