Fernandina Island, Galapagos Islands

Fernandina island is the third largest, and youngest, island of the Galápagos Islands. Like the others, the island was formed by the Galápagos hotspot. The island is an active shield volcano that has been erupting since April 11, 2009.

Visitors to Fernandina Island will be taken to see only the outside skirts of the volcanic crater for safety reasons. Punta Espinoza is a narrow stretch of land where hundreds of marine iguanas gather in large groups on black lava rocks. The famous Flightless Cormorant inhabits this island as well as penguins, pelicans and sea lions. Two types of lava flow can be observed, ʻaʻā and pāhoehoe. Mangrove forests also abound on the island.

Things to See and Do

* Volcano
* Sea lions
* Marine life
* Wildlife viewing
* Flightless Cormorants

Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency – U.S. dollar2 (USD)
Language – Spanish
Population – 40,000 approx (Galapagos islands)
Land Area – 642 km²
Electricity – 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style
Time – GMT minus five hours
International Country Telephone Code – + 593

Port Location – There is no port at Fernandina island, however a dry landing can be made onto a concrete platform at Punta Espinosa.

Transport Links – Flights to the Galapagos are relatively easy to arrange and depart from Quito and Guayaquil on a daily basis for the Isla Baltra airport, about two hours by public transport from Puerto Ayora, the main settlement of the Galapagos, on the central island of Santa Cruz.

On arriving into Baltra, all visitors are immediately transported by bus to one of two docks. The first dock is located in a small bay where the boats cruising the Galápagos await passengers. The second is a ferry dock which connects Baltra to the island of Santa Cruz via the Itabaca Channel.