Mosquera

Located between North Seymour and Baltra is the small island of Mosquera. The island consists of a long narrow stretch of white sand, rocks, and tide pools. Created by Geological Uplift the island has a flat look to it rather than the conical shape of the volcanically formed islands. Mosquera is a regular first or last day visit for boats operating out of Baltra.

Mosquera is a off limits to visitors, however calm waters offer excellent snorkeling opportunities and a stroll down the beach permits views of the Brown Pelicans, Boobies and colonies of Sea Lions that can be found here.

Along the rocks and in the tide pool area Sally Light-Foot Crabs (Red Lava Crabs) scamper back and forth, skipping across small pools of water in search of food. They follow the tide eating the algae and detritus left behind. These crabs bright red on top and blue on the bottom are stunning against the black lava.

Ever aware of movement around them, the Sally Lightfoot is quick to escape from any approaching object, a natural defense protecting them from their natural predators herons, moray eels and hawkfish. This quick escape technique seems in stark contrast to the unabashed way the crabs climb over the sedentary Marine Iguanas.