The Central Islands of the Galapagos
North Seymour
Also referred to as Isla Seymour Norte in Spanish, this island is popular with travellers. It's on the planned itinerary for passengers on their way to and from the airport, and for good reason. Here you can see things the Galapagos Islands are most famous for: herds of sea lions lounging on the rocks, and the land iguanas. Also spotted frequently on North Seymour are frigate bird nests. The male frigate bird is another famous Galapagos resident, with its red neck pouch during mating seasion. There are also blue-footed boobies here. No wonder it's a popular island for travellers to the Galapagos.
South Plaza and North Plaza
North and South Plaza are known locally as Islas Plazas, and only South Plaza is open to visitors. There is great diversity of wildlife on South Plaza so it makes a good destination for animal lovers. There is scientific reserach on North Plaza, which is why it's off limits to visitors.
South Plaza has a rocky trail, and if you hike it, you're sure to see a Galapagos Land Iguana, since this islands is one of the best places in the Galapagos Islands to see them. There are also lots and lots of sea lions. The seal-lion bulls live here with their harems, plus a bachelor colony of sea lions a little further away from the dominant bulls. The bulls can be agressive, so stay clear, and also for this reason you are not allowed to snorkel around South Plaza island.
Marine Iguanas and hybrid Iguanas also reside on South Plaza, as well as numerous bird species like borwn noddy birds, frigates, and lava gulls.
Santa Fe
Isla Santa Fe was formed four million years ago by submarine lava, and today it's one of the quieter islands of the Galapagos. Take a walk on the beach and there will be little wildlife except for sea lions playing in the surf and on the rocks. Walk more around the island, spend a few hours, and you have a good chance of seeing some Galapagos critters known for being shy. You might catch a glimpse of the Santa Fe land iguana, which is found only on this island. It's a subspecies of the Galapagos land iguana, and it's yellow-green color and can be up to a yard long. The Santa Fe iguanas are sneaky, shy, and devious, so sighting one is a real prize that takes patience and craftiness. They like to eat prickly pear fruit, so find one of these plants and look around.
There are two trails that circle the island of Santa Fe, and if you hike up the steeper on, you have a better chance of seeing a land iguana. Plus, you get a great view of the ocean and the rest of the island from up here. Also keep an eye out for the Galapagos dove, the Galapagos snake and rice rats.
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