Española is the southernmost island in the Galapagos archipelago, and is home to magnificent seabird colonies including blue-footed boobies, masked boobies and swallow-tailed gulls.
The island is also the breeding site for the waved albatross, and its marine iguanas are the only ones to change colour during the breeding season.
Some of the potential landing sites and highlights around Española Island are shown below. There are two kinds of landing: a 'dry landing', where you step from the panga (dinghy) that takes you ashore directly onto rocks or a jetty, and a 'wet landing', where the panga edges into a sandy beach, and you step out into knee-deep water and wade ashore.
Punta Suárez
This headland is a great place to spot blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies and waved albatrosses, which use the cliff as a launch pad. A blowhole spurts a column of water high into the air, creating wonderful photographic opportunities.
Location highlights: Amazing landscape, Blowhole
Activities: Walking (Approximately 3km hike)
Landing conditions: All times: Dry
Physical demand: Strenuous
Gardner Bay
This bay on the eastern side of the island is the breeding site of nearly all of the world´s 12,000 pairs of waved albatrosses. Its wide white sandy beach with many sealions is a perfect spot for relaxing, and the rocky shoreline makes it a great place for diving and snorkelling.
Location highlights: White sandy beach, Sea lion nursery
Activities: Panga ride, Sea kayaking, Snorkelling, Walking (Short hike of approximately 1km)
This 7-night luxury expedition voyage, uncovers the delights of the eastern islands, combining unparalleled natural beauty, exotic wildlife, and remarkable history. Your companions on the trip include endemic giant tortoise, Galapagos penguin, dense colonies of land iguana and the rare waved albatross.
Find out more about East Galapagos Luxury Expedition
This 8 day cruise visits the archipelago’s smaller islands, exploring them by panga (dinghy) and on foot. You’ll discover noisy sealion colonies leisurely wandering around, fiery coloured iguanas, blue-footed boobies and Sally Lightfoot crabs surrounding the rocks, and a wealth of colourful birdlife.
Find out more about Eastern Galapagos Highlights
Travelling aboard the exclusively chartered MV Beluga in the company of broadcaster Mark Carwardine and Founder Chris Breen, we have designed a comprehensive itinerary to experience and photograph the famed wildlife of the Galapagos gaining a fascinating insight into the ecology of the archipelago.
Find out more about Galapagos Exclusive with Mark Carwardine
Accompanied by team member Helen Bryon, we cruise around the Galapagos Islands to observe and enjoy the remarkable wildlife of this enchanting and untouched archipelago. During the voyage we hope to encounter Galapagos sealion, giant tortoise, blue-footed booby and more iconic species.
Find out more about Galapagos Wildlife Cruise
This small-ship expedition explores the enchanting Galapagos Islands, known for their incredible biodiversity and unique ecosystems. Explore the beaches and bays of the southern islands and encounter an astonishing array of wildlife species including giant tortoises, sea lions, iguanas and flocks of flamingos.
Find out more about Southern Galapagos Highlights
Boasting an astonishing array of wildlife, this bucket-list expedition combines the very best of the east and west Galapagos islands, in search of exotic marine life, a wonderful array of bird species, and fascinating terrestrial animals, all from the comfort of a luxurious, expedition superyacht.
Find out more about Ultimate Galapagos Luxury Expedition
This intimate and luxurious superyacht boasts custom-designed interiors, a sun deck with outdoor dining, a panoramic indoor lounge and a lower deck swim platform. With seven individually designed cabins and a timeless, yet contemporary, style throughout, Aqua Mare is a superb luxurious choice.
Find Out More about Aqua Mare
This charming vessel provides comfortable accommodation for your exploration of the Galapagos Islands. With a maximum of 16 passengers, in eight well-appointed cabins, this small-ship offers an intimate sailing experience and all the amenities you would expect of a high-quality motor vessel.
Find Out More about Cachalote Explorer
Anahi is a power catamaran yacht, which provides great stability, and is the ideal vessel for passengers with little or no experience at sea. Eight cabins equipped with portrait windows, air-conditioning, lower berths, and a private bathroom, provide comfortable accommodation for Galapagos cruises.
Find Out More about Anahi
The Nemo II is a first class sail catamaran accommodating a maximum of 12 passengers in six tastefully designed cabins, each slightly different in size and configuration. There is a common area both inside and out, as well as a small sun deck complete with lounge chairs, and a small bar.
Find Out More about Nemo II
