Information about South Plaza Island
South Plaza is a small island full of fascinating natural life along the sea and cliffs: sea lions, land iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, Opuntia cacti, and vegetation that changes color with the seasons. Only 130 meters wide, this island was formed by the uplifting of the seabed, giving it a flat shape. The landing area is in the channel between North and South Plaza islands, where the island gently slopes toward the water. As we approach, we are greeted by a colorful landscape: the turquoise waters of the channel contrast with the bright white sand and black lava of the coast.
Green algae have covered the rocks in some places, and nearby, bright orange Sally Lightfoot crabs wander. A bit further up, a carpet of scarlet Sesuvium stretches at the base of green Opuntia cacti, under whose shade land iguanas patiently wait to feed on fallen fruits. The path gradually follows the slope of the island toward the cliffs facing the southern ocean. There, swallow-tailed gulls nest, and tropical birds, Nazca boobies, and blue-footed boobies can be seen flying overhead.
This viewpoint is a perfect spot to observe marine life, schools of fish, and even manta rays. The waves crash against an inlet on the western corner of the island, where a colony of bachelor sea lions recovers, as evidenced by the rocks’ polished surfaces, slick from their oily skin. This is an excursion with a hike on rocky terrain. Dry landing.
