Short answer: Española has two visitor sites: Punta Suárez, a trail past Nazca and blue-footed booby colonies, a blowhole and, from April to December, the waved albatross colony; and Gardner Bay, a 2 km white beach with sea lions and a snorkel along the rocks. Day trips leave from San Cristóbal from about $390 per person. Check which of the two sites a day trip lands at before you book.
- LocationSouth of San Cristóbal
- SitesPunta Suárez (trail) and Gardner Bay (beach)
- AlbatrossApril to December
- AgeAbout 4 million years
What you will see
At Punta Suárez sea lions sometimes block the landing, red and green marine iguanas line the shore, and the trail passes Española lava lizards, Galápagos hawks, Española mockingbirds, the booby colonies and a blowhole that throws spray nearly 30 m high at high tide, before the edge of the albatross colony. Gardner Bay has no inland trail: you stay on the beach, where mockingbirds land on visitors, and snorkel along the rocks with tropical fish, rays and sea lions.
Waved albatross
Nearly the entire world population breeds here, April to December.
Nazca booby
Nests right beside the Punta Suárez trail.
Blue-footed booby
Nests along the trail near the western cliffs.
Marine iguana
The only marine iguanas that stay red and green all year.
Galápagos sea lion
At the landing and all along Gardner Bay beach.
Green sea turtle
In the shallows at Gardner Bay; nests there January to March.
Whitetip reef shark
Rests on the sea floor on the Gardner Bay snorkel.
How to get there and what it costs
The nearest town is Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal. Day trips from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno include snorkelling and a naturalist guide; cruise itineraries visit both sites.
Day trip programmes differ: ask whether the boat lands at Punta Suárez, where the albatross and booby colonies are, or stops only at Gardner Bay for the beach and snorkel.
Tours that go to Española start from about $390 per person (1 listing compared below). The national park entrance fee is paid once, on arrival in the islands: entrance fee and entry rules.
Best time to visit Española
Come between April and December for the albatrosses: they return from late March, court and lay eggs from April to June, and the chicks fledge in December before the colony leaves in January. Marine iguanas breed and colour up from about December to March.
- Mar to Apr Waved albatross return to EspañolaPunta Suárez, Española
- Apr to Jun Waved albatross courtship dance and egg layingPunta Suárez, Española
- Dec to Jan Waved albatross chicks fledge, colony emptiesPunta Suárez, Española
- Dec to Mar Marine iguana breeding season; males colour upCoasts of all main islands; Española males most colourful
Weather, sea temperature and wildlife for every month: month-by-month guide.
Tours that go to Española
Española Island Day Trip with Snorkeling
Prices and ratings as listed in November 2026; the price at checkout is what counts. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Disclosure
Compare every day trip on all islands: day-tour finder.
See Punta Suárez on the 3D map →
Nearby: more visitor sites from San Cristóbal
San Cristóbal island guide · All visitor sites · Itinerary planner · Ferry board
Questions about Española
When can you see waved albatross on Española?
From April to December. Adults return from late March, court and lay eggs from April to June, and the colony empties by January, when the birds go to sea for about three months.
Can you visit Española on a day trip?
Yes, day trips run from San Cristóbal from about $390 per person. Check whether the trip lands at Punta Suárez for the albatross colony or only visits Gardner Bay.
What is special about the marine iguanas on Española?
They are the only marine iguanas that stay brightly coloured, red and green, all year.
Sources:Galápagos National Park and Governing Council, Galápagos Conservancy. More numbers:facts and figures.
Updated 2026-11-07. Fees, boat times and prices change, so confirm with the operator before you travel.