PLAZAS

The Plazas Islands are twin islands located off the east coast of Santa Cruz. North Plaza is closed due to scientific research and South Plaza is the visitor site. Both islands were formed by geological uplift. The islands tilt to the north. The island's southern portion having a greater degree of uplift contain cliffs with spectacular views.

Visiting South Plaza begins with a dry landing. The rocky trail circumnavigates the island displaying the combination of dry and coastal vegetation zone. The island is home to enormous prickly pear cactus and the endemic succulent sesuvian. These succulents with almond-shaped leaves are green during the rainy season December-May. Then become red during the dry season giving the island an unusual appearance.

South Plaza has one of the largest populations of land iguanas in the Galapagos. The iguanas seem to be everywhere once you land. These yellow-brown land iguanas feed on the fruit and pads of the prickly pear cactus.

Years ago visitors would bring oranges ashore to feed the Iguanas. The fruit soon became a favorite and the Iguanas would run to greet new visitors climbing on laps and begging for a taste of their new favorite treat. The national park has since made bring food on to the islands and feeding birds or animals against park rules in order to maintain the natural balance and diet of the island's fauna.

South Plaza is also home to marine iguanas living along the coast and a hybrid iguana whose fathers are marine iguanas and mothers are land iguanas. As the walk continues along the sea cliffs swallow-tailed gulls, frigate birds, Audubon shearwaters, red-billed tropicbirds, brown pelicans, blue-footed and masked boobies are frequently seen. Beneath along the shore a colony of bachelor sea lions can be seen.

Goats were eradicated from the Plazas in 1961, and there have been no other introduced species. However, the heavy tourism to this island has taken its toll and the park service has been viewing limiting visitation. Back at the beach visitors are often given the opportunity to go for a swim. Snorkeling in these waters can provide some excellent views of the marine life including sea turtles, sharks, yellow mullets, and other fish.

Plazas Map and Location

Located near the center of the archipelago South Plaza is located off the north-eastern coast of Santa Cruz close to Garrapetero Beach and north of Gordon's Rocks. A relatively small island South Plazas has a surface area of 13 hectares and a height of 25 meters.

Plazas is an uninhabited island and part of the Galapagos National Park.  It's relatively close proximity to Santa Cruz, allows passengers aboard a Galapagos Cruises or specially licensed day tour boats from Santa Cruz (like those from the Finch Bay) to visit the island.

Plazas Visit Information

Visit is approximately 2 hours on partly rocky terrain

Plazas Wildlife

Great Frigate Bird
Red-billed Tropicbird
Magnificent Frigate Bird
Cattle Egret
Lava Heron
Swallow-Tailed Gull
Lava Gull
Brown Noddy
Marine Iguana
Hybrid Iguana
Land Iguana
Lava Lizard
Barn Owl
Galapagos Sea Lion
Galapagos Dove
Brown Pelican
Small Ground Finch
Nazca Booby
Audubon Shearwater
Sally Lightfoot Crab
Storm Petrel
Yellow Warbler