Marchena Island – Galapagos

Marchena Island

Composed of a cluster of volcanic cones, lava flows have filled the original caldera and spilled down the surrounding slopes of the earlier volcano. Visits here are quite rare, as it has to compete with Genovesa Island for visitor’s time. Currently only one yacht we work with includes a visit here.

Black Beach

Black beach is one of the most unique locations to visit in the Galapagos Islands. Its name came from the black eroded basaltic sand which are derived from the Galapagos basaltic shield of volcanoes. Around Black Beach you may see Bottle-nosed Dolphins playfully splashing about and it may be possible to see Marine Iguanas diving for algae growing on the lava beds below the serene, calm, blue waters. Marchena Island is also very mysterious. As legend holds, two bodies washed up many years ago and were naturally mummified on the island and to this day nobody knows how they came to their untimely fate!

Activities: Snorkelling

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Type of Landing: None

Highlights & Animals: Unique black beach and lava beds; Bottled-nosed Dolphins, Marine Iguanas and other animals feeding off the lava beds; sea turtles; unsolved mysteries.

Mejia Point

Here you’ll find one of the best snorkelling sites located in the Galapagos Islands. You can marvel in wonder at the amazing way our world first began by finding the rolling lava beds perfectly preserved below the surface. This island has never been inhibited by humans so the flora and fauna is abundant and can be seen from afar. The calm, deep, blue water is perfect for viewing a variety of fish, sting-rays, and sea turtles in the rugged marine territory.

Activities: Snorkelling

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Type of Landing: None

Highlights & Animals: Still intact lava flows; wide variety of tropical fish, sting-rays, turtles; snorkelling; abundant flora and fauna.