{"id":732,"date":"2021-04-15T12:15:00","date_gmt":"2021-04-15T17:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/millennialroad.com\/?p=732"},"modified":"2021-04-19T16:42:29","modified_gmt":"2021-04-19T21:42:29","slug":"santa-fe-south-plaza-island","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/millennialroad.com\/santa-fe-south-plaza-island\/","title":{"rendered":"Snorkeling with Sea Lions at Santa Fe Island"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Santa
Day 3 of our 15-day Gal\u00e1pagos Cruise<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

South Plaza Island and Santa Fe Island are two small, unpopulated islands off the coast of Santa Cruz that can be explored on the same day, allowing for an incredibly diverse array of epic experiences in a short amount of time. What these islands lack in size, they more than make up for in scenery and wildlife. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While South Plaza Island (or Isla Plaza Sur) may be one of the smaller islands in the Gal\u00e1pagos, it is also one of the most colorful and picturesque islands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Showcasing unique vegetation and wildlife that cannot be seen elsewhere, a trip to the Gal\u00e1pagos Islands would not be complete without a visit to this island. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"South<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A short boat trip away, Santa Fe Island is an incredibly different but equally fascinating place. As one of the oldest islands, several endemic species<\/a> can be found only on Santa Fe Island. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet, one thing stands out to me most about this island\u2014the massive number of sea lions that can be found here year-round. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Santa<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But, before I dive into the exhilaration of our experience playing with a colony of sea lions off of Santa Fe Island, we were in for a few treats of a different variety at South Plaza Island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Plaza Island<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We started the third day of our cruise early with an easy hike on South Plaza Island. The terrain on the island is eye capturing, to say the least. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lava rocks, cactus trees, and arid, red brush are sprawled across the island, with cliffs overlooking the vast blue ocean surrounding it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"South<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Prickly pear cactus trees sprouted up around the island in abundance, some growing taller than me. The stark contrast between this island and the other islands we had visited was undeniable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"South<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sea lions were basking in the sun, sprawled out in different areas on the island. A few lone sea lions claimed massive rocks for themselves and found refuge from the cold water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Land iguanas enjoyed the warmth of the sun alongside the sea lions, with the bright, golden hue of some iguanas adding to the palette of this colorful paradise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n