Floreana’s human history is fascinating, but that doesn’t detract from the fact that it is also an important conservation site. Inland, it is possible to drive to the highlands to a site of scientific interest to botanists; 48 species of plants have been identified here, of which a third are only found here.
In 2007, work began to re-establish the island’s populations of Galapagos racer snake, hawk, barn owl, finch, and the Floreana mockingbird, which also lives in small colonies on adjacent islands. Your guide will take you to Cormorant Point to see majestic Galapagos flamingo wading through the shallow lagoon searching for shrimp, and watch flycatchers whizzing along the shoreline. Next, walk over to Flour Beach where green sea turtle nest and ray glide through the shallow waters.
If you are a snorkeler, explore the Devil’s Crown where there is an underwater oasis of coral reef. Here you will see sea lion, and swim with colourful king angelfish, balloon fish, eel, shark, ray, and turtle. Dinghy rides around Gardner Isle allow the visitor to get up close to strange rock formations and large sea caves.
