Española island, the furthest South of the archipelago and also known as “Hood”, is one the oldest island (3,4 millions years old).

Originally formed by a volcano located in the center of the island, it slowly moved away from the hot point and, with time, the volcano disappeared with the erosion.

Currently, there is no volcanic activity or volcanic cones in this flat island. The north coast is low with white-sandy beaches, while the south coast ends with impressive cliffs as the result of marine erosion.  Because of its dry landscape and absence of pure water, the island is uninhabited and is only a point of visit within the Galapagos Islands.

Española is mostly famous for its albatross community, being the unique place where the the albatross nests (from April to December).

The fauna consists of marine iguanas, sea lions, blue-footed and masked boobies, hood mockingbirds, saddle-back turtles that have been re-introduced on the island by the Charles Darwin Foundation, and of course the waved albatross.

Palo Verde, acacia and scrub vegetation cover the arid landscape of the island.

Although the island is about 60 km2, there are only two visitors’ sites: Punta Suarez and Gardner Bay, both very different from each other.

Punta Suárez

 After a dry landing, you’ll start a 2 km long hike through colonies of blue-footed boobies, masked boobies, marine iguanas, albatross’, sea lions, Galapagos doves and the Darwin finches. The trail leads to a blowhole, one of the highlights of your visit. When the waves crash on the rocky lava formation, they force the water up through a hole, blowing up sometimes twenty meters in the air. 

Gardner Bay

 Located 45 minutes away by boat from Punta Suárez on the eastern side of the island, Gardner Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos Islands, home to colonies of sea lions resting on its white sand, as well as marine turtles, white-tipped sharks and colorful tropical fishes swimming in its turquoise water. A true paradise.