Adventure Cruises in Espanola Island
Espanola Island is a beautiful destination in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador and a must-see place on any of the Galapagos cruises you choose. It lies to the southeast of the archipelago and is a favorite travel spot for lovers of naturalist tours. It’s easy to see native animals such as marine iguanas, lava lizards, and the waved albatross.
Adventure cruise fans also favor Espanola, as it is a great place to take small yachts for a spin. Seagoers have a host of small luxury yachts to choose from since tourism and boating are popular pastimes in the region.
The small island is 23 square miles, and its highest point rises 675.6 feet (206m) above sea level. Experience the unique flat landscape with small, gentle hills shaped by volcanic activity from the water for amazing views. Don’t forget to soak up some of that famous Galapagos sun.
Top things to do and see on Espanola Island
Suarez Point is a popular place on the seafront of Espanola, especially for birding and naturalist tours. The striking blue-footed boobies, albatrosses, and Hood mockingbirds call the area home and make for incredible Galapagos wildlife encounters. The albatrosses use a nearby cliff as a launching spot, letting visitors see them breathtakingly soar.
The sight the birds set is truly incredible. Albatrosses are large grey and white birds that are easy to spot, but the sheer number of them sometimes appears like a blanket on the landscape. The beautiful plumage almost seems to have been created by an artist as it fades from deep grey to brilliant white, including the bird’s feet!
The most famous attraction at Suarez Point is the incredible blowhole that shoots water straight into the air at an impressive height. It’s as if the earth has a pressure valve directly on-site, and visitors can see this in all its awesome splendor. It’s the power of the earth before your very eyes.
All in all, Suarez Point is a dream for a nature lover or photographer. Experienced hikers should also take note and head out for a 1.9-mile hike through the Point. It’s rated difficult, so it's best saved for top-notch contenders.
Across the island on the eastern side is Gardner Bay. Even more, albatrosses are in store for visitors here. Nearly every one of them, approximately 12,000 pairs, breed in this spot annually. As if that isn’t enough, the expanse of white sand beach is constantly peppered with sea lions.
It’s easy to understand why travelers favor Gardner Bay for snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, and dinghy rides. The hiking trail here is much easier than Suarez Point and suitable for different experience levels.
It’s equally clear why Darwin was so fascinated with the Galapagos Islands. There is such a vast array of creatures that call the islands home. Have your camera ready for the best moments of your adventure cruise and personal Galapagos wildlife encounter.
Speaking of Darwin, nature lovers can’t miss The Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) on Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galapagos. This active breeding center and research station is both educational and another ideal spot for photography lovers.
Best time to cruise Espanola Island
Espanola has only two seasons: the warm season between December and May and the dry season between June and November. Both have their strengths, but you’ll want to plan ahead to pick the best time to visit to see wildlife or to have your own Galapagos wildlife encounter.
During the warm season, visitors to the Galapagos in December will see a sky that is always clear and full of the bright sun. Rain falls more frequently in February, March, and April.
Come to Galapagos in June, and you’ll experience slightly cooler weather but the best diving conditions. This ideal diving season continues in Galapagos through July, August, September, and November.
If you want to see albatrosses during the breeding season, April through November, avoid the chance of rain by timing your birding trip in May, when the weather should be warm and dry.
Where do Espanola Island cruises depart from?
Finding out how to get to the Galapagos is essential to your plan. Before you set out on your small luxury yacht for the adventure cruise of your life, you have to get to Ecuador.
From Ecuador, travelers will fly into the Galapagos from Quito in the Andes mountains or Guayaquil on the coast. The two main airports in Galapagos are Baltra, a small island north of Santa Cruz, and San Cristobal, the archipelago's easternmost island. You can easily depart on a Galapagos cruise from Puerto Ayora or Baltra.
Book your next adventure cruise to Espanola Island in the Galapagos Islands.
Espanola Island Adventure cruise reviews
- 9.4 Superb
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Laurie P
Australia
Great walk - we saw a giant tortoise!
Cruising Espanola Island in January on the Coral I and II
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Michelle K
United States
Kicker Rock just off Espanola at sunset was gorgeous! The seals, iguanas, fish, crabs and birds were spectacular!
Cruising Espanola Island in December on the Reina Silvia Voyager
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Peter D
Belgium
Major highlights of trip by seeing Albatros and their nests with egg.
Cruising Espanola Island in June on the Alya
- 8.0 Very good
- Roger B
United States
Hike to Suarez point was wonderful. Seeing nesting boobies and albatross. Very scenic.
Cruising Espanola Island in May on the EcoGalaxy
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Erica K
United States
The wildlife and landscape viewed on the beautiful hike in Santa Cruz was amazing. So many birds, boobies, hawks, heron, etc. around the cliffs.
Cruising Espanola Island in March on the Treasure of Galapagos
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Elizabeth H
United States
The Gardner Bay beach was super beautiful with loads of sea lions lounging around and great opportunities to get photos.
Cruising Espanola Island in January on the Solaris
- 9.2 Superb
- Christine K
United States
Flies took away from experience, nothing to do about that. Guide offered bug wipes
Cruising Espanola Island in December on the Galapagos Legend
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Mark B
United States
Gardiner Bay beach was a spectacular walk. Suarez Point walk was very interesting to see the different types of boobies, the albatrosses and the blow hole. Very enjoyable.
Cruising Espanola Island in September on the Reina Silvia Voyager
- 8.0 Very good
- Richard R
United States
Beautiful island full of wildlife.
Cruising Espanola Island in April on the Archipel I
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Clayton K
United States
There were many different types of wildlife on this island.
Cruising Espanola Island in December on the Anahi
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