What kind of name is Guy Fawkes for a group of islands anyway? The Islas Guy Fawkes, a cluster of two crescent-shaped islets and two rocks northwest of Santa Cruz Island, are an intriguing enigma. These uninhabited islands, formed by the remnants of volcanic tuff cones, are a haven for divers. Divers come for the kaleidoscopic zoanthids that blanket the reefs, creating a vibrant underwater spectacle. But the name? That’s where the mystery lies. Some say it’s a tribute to Guy Fawkes, the infamous English Catholic revolutionary. He plotted to blow up Parliament in 1605, an event eerily reminiscent of the volcanic eruptions that likely shaped these very islands. Imagine the scene: English buccaneers, perhaps, witnessing the fiery might of the Galapagos, reminded of the Gunpowder Plot back home. Did they christen the islands in that moment, their minds ablaze with both spectacle and history? The truth remains elusive, lost to the sea and the whispers of time. But as you gaze upon the Islas Guy Fawkes, remember this: even in paradise, echoes of rebellion can be found.
Playa Ochoa
“Imagine a place where sea lions bask in the sun.” This is Playa Ochoa, a stunning beach on San Cristobal