Islas Plaza

Sweeping out from the east coast of Santa Cruz, Islas Plaza beckons. It’s a two-part harmony of North and South Plaza, two small crescent-shaped islands. Our focus, South Plaza Island, welcomes visitors with open arms. North Plaza remains a sanctuary for research, a world apart. South Plaza, despite its petite stature of 0.13 km2, boasts a vibrant tapestry of life. It’s a testament to the power of an uplifted seabed, now teeming with unique flora and fauna. Islas Plaza holds a captivating contrast. Red-billed tropicbirds and swallow-tailed gulls dance along the cliffs, their nests clinging precariously to the edges. Below, a large colony of land iguanas bask in the sun. These are the smallest land iguanas in the archipelago, a miniature marvel of evolution. Islas Plaza is a melting pot of iguanas. Marine iguanas thrive here, their dark forms a stark contrast against the vibrant landscape. Keep a keen eye out, you might spot a hybrid, a blend of land and marine iguana, a testament to the islands’ unique environment. The island vibrates with life. Approximately 1,000 sea lions call this place home, their barks and playful antics adding to the symphony of the island. The true star of Islas Plaza is its flora. The succulent Sesuvium paints the landscape with changing hues. It’s a chameleon of color, shifting from bright green in the rainy season to a fiery palette of reds, oranges, and purples as the dry season sets in. Prickly pear cactus trees stand sentinel, punctuating the vibrant ground cover, their forms adding another layer of texture to this miniature world. Islas Plaza’s beauty is not without its challenges. Introduced mice once threatened the delicate balance, decimating the cactus population, a vital food source for the land iguanas. Thankfully, these invaders were eradicated in 2012. The island continues to heal. The cactus forest is slowly recovering, and the land iguana population thrives once more. Islas Plaza is a small island with a big story. It’s a testament to resilience, a microcosm of the Galapagos’ unique biodiversity, and a captivating stop on our journey.