Floreana Island — Local services in Parroquia Isla Santa María (Floreana) (Cab. en Pto. Velasco Ibarra)

Isla Floreana (Engl. Floreana Island) is a southern island in Ecuador's Galápagos Archipelago. The island has an area of 173 sq km. It was formed by volcanic eruption. Due to its relatively flat surface, supply of fresh water as well as plants and animals, Floreana was a favorite stop for whalers and other visitors to the Galápagos. Still known as Charles Island, the island was set afire in 1820 as a result of a prank gone wrong by helmsman Thomas Chappel from the Nantucket whaling ship Essex. September 1835 the  HMS Beagle brought Charles Darwin to Charles Island. The ship's crew was greeted by Nicholas Lawson, acting for the Governor of Galápagos at the prison colony on the Island. In 1929 some European started to settle in the Island. But a series of strange disappearances and deaths (including possible murders) departures left only family Wittmers as the sole remaining...

We made three stops on this island the day we visited. First @ Cormorant Point, for an early morning hike to see the flamingos and the nesting sea turtles. After breakfast,to Isla Champion for snorkeling and glass bottom boats. Then, after lunch to Post Office Bay for kayaking, paddle boarding, beach time, and of course a visit to the post office. We left 15 post cards, took and delivered one post card. A month later two of our cards have...

Beautiful place if you love nature and scenic views. You have to take a tour to get here. It takes approximately 2 hours from Santa Cruz. The only beaches are La Loberia and Black Sand beach. You can’t really snorkel here as they offer you. You have to be lucky with the tides to enjoy the first beach, because Black Sand beach felt dangerous as it was very steep, dark and it had a strong current that sucked you...