Española Island.

Why Española feels different

Española is one of the oldest islands in the archipelago, and millions of years of isolation show. Its mockingbird, lava lizard and colorful marine iguanas look different from their relatives elsewhere. Without fresh lava, the island is low and eroded, with cliffs on the south side where seabirds ride the trade winds.

From about April, waved albatross return to nest, and their bill-fencing courtship is one of the great sights of the islands. They leave around December. Outside that window, Española is still superb for boobies, sea lions and snorkeling in Gardner Bay. Because it lies far southeast, it is usually reached on eastern itineraries that start or end in San Cristóbal.