Historically fascinating, Floreana has a chequered history and was home to pirates, buccaneers and convicts. In later years the fertile soils attracted whalers, who set up ‘post office’ for ships to collect letters to transport to England. It is still operational today, so you can drop off a postcard or two in the wooden barrel. Although this was the first island inhabited by man, it is also home to a vast amount of wildlife. Giant tortoises have been extinct since 1840, but green turtles still nest on the beach near Punta Cormorant from December to May, and the salt lagoon is home to greater flamingos and stilts. Devil’s Crown is a volcanic crater and snorkelling spot, which is a nesting site for blue footed boobies and frigate birds. During mating season blue footed boobies perform their famous courtship dance and the male frigate puffs its bright red neck to attract mates.
