South Plaza Island

The basics

The unpopulated South Plaza Island has a striking landscape, with sculptural cacti, cliffs overlooking the sea, and carpets of ​the succulent Sesuvium edmonstonei, which changes colour with the seasons. Exploring this protected island is highly regulated and you must join a tour with a licensed guide to visit. Most visitors spend 2–3 hours hiking here after arriving by boat, led by a guide. Expect to see a wide range of animals, from blue-footed boobies to marine iguanas, plus this is the only island where the Galapagos hybrid iguana is found. Many visitors bring high-powered cameras to photograph the island’s landscape and wildlife.

Things to know before you go

• South Plaza Island is not accessible for wheelchairs or strollers.

• The hike here includes a section through a cactus forest; watch children to ensure safety.

• Wear hiking boots and sunscreen and be sure to pack a hat, sunglasses, and water.

How to get there

Arrival by boat with a guided tour is the only way to explore South Plaza Island. While some islands in the Galapagos are populated and offer hotels, South Plaza is unpopulated and can only be visited with a day trip—no overnight camping is allowed. Some tours visit the island only, while multi-day tours combine multiple destinations, such as Santa Cruz Island.

When to get there

Located near the equator, the Galapagos Islands are a year-round destination. However, there are better times of year to visit depending on the animals you’d like to see; for example, nesting birds, such as albatrosses, can be spotted during the cool and dry season from June through November. December to May is the warmer season with excellent conditions for exploring outdoors and snorkeling. Visitors should choose a time of year that matches their desired activities.

The iguanas of South Plaza Island

The Galapagos offer many unique sights rarely seen and South Plaza Island is no exception. Here, it is common to see an iguana strut straight into the sea, as marine iguanas enter the ocean to forage for algae. This island is also home to the Galapagos hybrid iguana, the result of breeding between land iguanas and marine iguanas; this native creature can thrive in both land and sea environments.