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Floreana Island, Galapagos

Floreana, officially "Santa Maria," is located at the far south of the archipelago. The island is associated with a strange and curious history of its inhabitants. Snorkeling around this area is one of the best in the Galapagos.

Floreana Fast Facts

  • The official name of the island is "Santa Maria" and its English name is "Charles," but it is most commonly known as "Floreana."
  • Animals: Flamingos, sea turtles
  • Area: 67 sq. mi
  • Highest Point: 2,099 ft
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» Cruises that visit Floreana Island

Floreana Visitor sites:

Baroness Viewing Point

Baroness Viewing Point

Baroness Viewpoint is a fantastic place to absorb the environment of the Galapagos. Once inhabited by an indulgent baroness and her three lovers, the history of this island is intriguing. The legends about this baroness are associated with a fascinating murder mystery. There are easy trails in this area for exploring the flora and fauna of Floreana.

  • Highlights: Great view, sea turtles, mysterious story about the first inhabitants of the islands
  • Possible Activities: Short hike (0.6 mi/1 km)
  • Type of Landing: Wet Landing
  • Difficulty: Easy

*Activities will be operated according to each boat itinerary.

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Champion Islet

Champion Islet

Champion Islet, named after the whaler Andrew Champion, is a small island located just offshore Floreana Island in the southern part of the Archipelago, considered as one of the most beautiful places on Galapagos for all snorkeling and diving fans and an excellent opportunity for dolphin watching. More about Champion Islet

  • Highlights: See lions, reef fish and Nasca boobies
  • Possible Activities: Snoreling and dinghy ride
  • Type of Landing: Moderate / Difficult
  • Difficulty: Wet landing

*Activities will be operated according to each boat itinerary.

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Devil's Crown

Devil's Crown

One of the best snorkeling sites in the Galapagos, this volcanic crater has been eroded by the waves leaving the northern and southern sides poking out of the water. The coral reef in the middle is perfect for attracting marine life. Snorkelers enjoy the variety of marine life and exciting currents that rush through the crown, creating an exhilarating experience. More about Devil's Crown

  • Highlights: The best snorkelling site in Galapagos Islands with sharks, rays, rock formations, lots of tropical fish.
  • Possible Activities: Snorkeling
  • Type of Landing: No landing
  • Difficulty: Moderate/difficult

*Activities will be operated according to each boat itinerary.

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Cormorant Point

Cormorant Point

This site hosts a large flamingo lagoon where other birds such as common stilts and white-cheeked pintails can also be seen. The beaches on this island are distinct: The "Green Beach" is named so due to its green color, which comes from a high percentage of olivine crystals in the sand, and the "Four Sand Beach" is composed of white coral.

  • Highlights: Flamingoes, green-colored beach
  • Possible Activities: Dinghy ride & hike (1.25 mi /2 km)
  • Type of Landing: Wet Landing
  • Difficulty: Easy

*Activities will be operated according to each boat itinerary.

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Post Office Bay

Post Office Bay

In the 18th century, whalers passing through the islands placed a wooden barrel on Floreana Island for use as an unofficial mail box. The tradition continues today as visitors leave addressed postcards in the barrel and sort through left mail to deliver at home. More about Post Office Bay

  • Highlights: Barrel Post Office, nice sandy beach
  • Possible Activities: Short hike (less than 0.6 mi/1 km) & snorkeling
  • Type of Landing: Wet Landing
  • Difficulty: Easy

*Activities will be operated according to each boat itinerary.

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Asilo de la Paz

Asilo de la Paz

Asilo de la Paz is a visitor site of historical significance on Floreana Island located 5 mi (8 km) from Puerto Velasco Ibarra. Along the trail to the top of a 1476 ft (450 m) tall hill, visitors will pass through a Scalesia tree forest and see a corral where Galapagos tortoises from San Cristobal Island are kept. Visitors will discover the caves where some of the first human settlers on Floreana Island stayed and also encounter a fresh water spring.

  • Highlights: Historic caves, fresh water spring, Galapagos petrels, medium tree finches, Galapagos tortoises in captivity
  • Possible Activities: Hiking along a trail leading to the top of the hill
  • Type of Landing: Dry Landing
  • Difficulty: Difficult as the trail leads up to an altitude of 1476 ft (450m). Closed-toe shoes are highly recommended.

*Activities will be operated according to each boat itinerary.

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Floreana Pictures

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Galapagos Wildlife in Floreana Island

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    Baroness Viewpoint Champion Islet Cormorant Point Devil's Crown Post Office Bay Asilo de la Paz La LoberĂ­a
Land Birds Cactus Finch - - - -   - -
Land Birds Dark-billed Cuckoo - - - - - - -
Land Birds Galapagos Dove - - - - - - -
Land Birds Galapagos Flycatcher - - - - - - -
Land Birds Galapagos Hawk - - - - - - -
Land Birds Galapagos Mockingbird - - - - - - -
Land Birds Hood Mockingbird - - - - - - -
Land Birds Large Ground Finch - - - - - - -
Land Birds Large Tree Finch - - - - - - -
Land Birds Mangrove Finch - - - - - - -
Land Birds Medium Ground Finch   - - -   - -
Land Birds Medium Tree Finch   - - - -   -
Land Birds San Cristobal Mockingbird - - - - - - -
Land Birds Sharp-beaked Ground Finch - - - - - - -
Land Birds Short-eared Owl - - - - - - -
Land Birds Small Ground Finch - - - -   - -
Land Birds Small Tree Finch - - - -   - -
Land Birds Tyrant Flycatcher - - - - -   -
Land Birds Vegetarian Finch   - - -   - -
Land Birds Warbler Finch - - - -   - -
Land Birds Woodpecker Finch - - - - - - -
Land Birds Yellow Warbler - - - -     -
Sea Birds American Oystercatcher - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Black-necked Stilt - -   - - - -
Sea Birds Blue-footed Booby   - - -   - -
Sea Birds Brown Noddy - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Brown Pelican - - - -   - -
Sea Birds Cattle Egret - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Flamingos - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Flightless Cormorant - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Galapagos Penguin   - - - - - -
Sea Birds Galapagos Petrel - - - - -   -
Sea Birds Galapagos Rail - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Greater Flamingo - -   - - - -
Sea Birds Great Blue Heron - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Great Frigatebird - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Herons - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Lava Gull - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Magnificent Frigatebird - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Moorhen - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Nazca Booby - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Paint-billed Crake - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Pied-billed Grebe - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Red-footed Booby   - - - - - -
Sea Birds Red-billed Tropicbird - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Ruddy Turnstone - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Sanderling - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Semi-palmated Plover - -   - - - -
Sea Birds Striated Heron - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Swallow Tailed Gull - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Waved Albatross - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Whimbrel - -   - - - -
Sea Birds White-cheeked Pintail - -   - - - -
Reptiles Galapagos Green Turtle - -   -   -  
Reptiles Galapagos Snake-biserialis - - - - - - -
Reptiles Galapagos Tortoise - - - - - - -
Reptiles Lava Lizard - - - - - - -
Reptiles Land Iguana - - - - - - -
Reptiles Marine Iguana - - - - - -  
Mammals Dolphins - - - - - - -
Mammals Galapagos Fur Seal - - - - - - -
Mammals Galapagos Sea lion     - -   -  
Fish/Marine Galapagos Shark - - -   - - -
Fish/Marine Hammerhead Shark - - - - - - -
Fish/Marine Ray - - -   - - -
Fish/Marine Sally Lightfoot Crab - - - - - - -
Fish/Marine Tropical fish - - -   - - -
Fish/Marine Whale Shark - - - - - - -
Fish/Marine Whitetip Reef Shark - - -   - - -
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