Floreana Island (Isla Floreana) was once the penal colony for Ecuador, the first capital of the Galapagos and where Charles Darwin met the viceroy of Galapagos.  Its small brackish lagoon is often home to flamingos, stilts, and white-cheeked pintail ducks, and one of its beaches is a highly used nesting site for sea turtles.

Cormorant Point Highlights:
The visit to Punta Cormorant offers two contrasting beaches. Arriving on shore you will encounter a green sand beach (the green sand is caused by the olivine crystals derived silicates or magnesium and iron). From here you will follow the trail leading to a lagoon where pink flamingoes and other shore birds can be seen in the distance making their home. Looking into the mud of the lagoon there appears to be 'cracks' in the mud. These cracks are not caused from dryness but are actually the footpaths of flamingos. This is also a good spot for seeing large-billed flycatchers, small-ground finch, medium-ground finch or cactus finch.

Excursion options include the relatively short walk to the lagoon and sea turtle-nesting beach, and optional snorkeling and swimming at the landing beach. The trail continues to another beach on the other side made of fine white sand particles known as "Flour Beach". In the waters, ghost crabs and rays can be seen swimming.

In addition, for experienced snorkelers only, we offer a deep water snorkel at nearby Champion Island.

Post Office Bay Highlights:
Rich in history, this site is home to the post office barrel established in about 1793 where whalers and others could leave their mail to be picked up by outbound ships. Over the years thousands of ships have stopped to send and receive mail at Post Office Bay. Many have posted a sign of driftwood or other materials memorializing their visit. This is the only area in the Galapagos were graffiti is still acceptable.

Arriving at Post Office Bay you will wet land on a brown sand beach, passing the sea lions lying in the sun. At the post barrel the guide will pull a hand full of letters for the group. Continuing the tradition, the letters are brought home with the traveler and then mailed to the addressee. During our short visit, post your own letter or postcards at this early mail stop.

 

TIPS

1. Take caution to not disturb the sea turtle nests. 2. Swimming is not permitted on Flour Beach due to the presence of sting rays. 3. Both Cormorant Point and Post Office Bay have wet landings. 4. Bring postcards to mail at Post Office Bay.