Galapagos Islands
Galapagos, Plazas, Santa Fe, Daphne, Mosquera
Plazas Islands
These two islands are just off the east coast of Santa Cruz. The two islands were formed by uplift due to faulting. Boats anchor between them, and visitors can land on South Plaza, which is only about 13 hectareas in area. A dry landing pm a jetty brings you to an opuntia cactus forest, where there are many land iguanas.
Santa Fe Island
There is a good anchorage in an atractive coast, and a wet landing gives the visitor a choice of two trails. A 300 m trail takes you to one of the tallest stamds pf opuntia cactus in the islands. Some of the cacti here are over 10 m high. A somewath more strenous 1.5 km. rough trail goes into the highland, where the Santa Fe land iguana may be seen if you are lucky. This species of iguana is found nowhere else in the world. Othes attractions include a sea lion colony, excelent snorkelling, marine iguanas and birds.
Daphne Islands
These trwo islands of obviously volcanic origen are roughly 10 km. west of Seymour. Daphne Minor is the one that is very eroded, while Daphne Major retain most of its typically volcanic shape. A short but steep trail leads to the 120 m high summit of this tiny island.
There are two small craters at the top of cone, and they contain hundreds of blue-footed booby nest. Masked boobies nest on the crater rims and a few red-billed tropicbirds nest in rocky crevices in the steep sides of the islands.
Mosquera Island
Is a tiny sandy island that lies in the channel between Baltra and Seymour Island. It is basically a long, narrow beach with a large population of sea lions. Swimming and snorkeling with the sea lions is a popular activity. continues...
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Galapagos wildlife
The Galapagos have never been conected with the continent. Gradually over, many hundreds...
