Among my favorite places in the Galápagos is Punta Suarez, where at the end of the visitor trail at you suddenly find yourself at the top of a cliff with a magnificent view to the south. This is a great place to sit down and watch the Galápagos world go by.

Frigatebirds cruise effortlessly on the updraft created by the south-easterly winds. Masked and blue-footed boobies glide back and forth, and swallow-tailed gulls hover over the rocks. When the waved albatross colony is active, the birds waddle up to the edge of the cliff, pause and then leap into a graceful glide. A Galápagos hawk often perches atop a small pointed peak in the distance.

On the rocks below, marine iguana feed on the inter-tidal algae. Occasionally sea lions will tug playfully at the tail of a marine iguana as it tries to reach shore after a swim. Further out to sea, green sea turtles rest at the surface. You may also see a flock or two of albatrosses sitting like ducks on the surface of the ocean. Whales and dolphins are not uncommon in these rich waters.

It's a marvellous place to take in the wildlife and scenery of the Galápagos, especially welcome after traipsing over the rocky visitor trail. Don't forget to bring good shoes.

Michael Jackson
mjackson@islandnet.com