FLOREANA ISLAND
Discover the first and smallest inhabited island with the most interesting and mysterious human story in the archipelago.
FACTS ABOUT FLOREANA ISLAND
- Has a population of only 120 inhabitants
- Whalers used an old barrel as a post office, which is still used today as visitors can deliver letters which are addressed to their country
- Has two freshwater springs which were a good base for settlement
- 1829 German couple Dr. Friedrich Ritter and Dore Strauch settled on the islands, reporting to the European press by sending letters
- 1832 Arrival of Wittmer Family and later on the same year the arrival of the famous Baroness von Wagner Bosquet
- Mysterious death and disappearances
- The Wittmer Family is the only family that remain on the island, now welcoming tourists in their hotel
- Margeret Wittmer wrote about her experiences on the island in the book ‘Women’s Pilgrimage to the Galapagos’
- 2013 the documentary Galapagos Affair- Satan Came to Eden was released
ITINERARY
Departure: 8 am
Arrival: approximately 5 pm
You will have to be at the pier at 7:30 am, to take a speedboat to Floreana Island. The journey time is between 1 ½ and 2 hours, depending on the sea conditions, in general August to October has the roughest sea conditions. Arriving at Puerto Ibarra Velasco, your guide will take you to the highlands of Floreana in a ‘chiva’, which is an open minibus. On the way you can admire the breath-taking landscape of the Scalesia forest and the Cerro Rojas Volcanic Hill (highest point of the island at 640 m above sea level). Hiking along the trails, you will see the pirate caves, giant tortoises, the freshwater source that was key in the first settlement on Floreana, until you reach Larga de Aki, a site where you can enjoy a stunning view over the island.
In the afternoon you will have lunch in a local restaurant back in town. Afterwards you will have some free time on the black sand beach where you have the chance to do some snorkeling. Its often you can see green marine turtles and sea lions here, and occasionally penguins. Your return speed boat is at 3 pm, arriving in Santa Cruz at approximately 5 pm.
Included: lunch, snorkeling equipment, bilingual naturalist guide (Spanish/English)
Not included:not includes: wetsuits, alcoholic beverages, gratitudes
