The blue-footed boobies
Birds nesting near the trail.
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Isla de la Plata is a small island off the coast of Manabí, part of Machalilla National Park in Ecuador. Visitors reach it by boat from Puerto López and come for close views of seabirds, a taste of the Galápagos experience at a lower cost. Its name means Silver Island, and accounts say Pizarro's men found silver and gold jewellery here. It has had a lighthouse since 1888. It may have been a sacred place where native people came to leave offerings, without permanent settlement. Its oldest remains are a Valdivia culture hut from about 2000 BC, among the earliest evidence of open-sea navigation in South America. You follow one of two guided trails over dry hills, passing near blue-footed boobies and sometimes catching their famous dance. There are also red-footed and Nazca boobies, frigatebirds and sea lions. Turtles and colourful fish appear in the bay, and you can snorkel. From June to October humpback whales may show up on the way. The island is 41.7 km in a straight line west of Puerto López, a trip of about an hour to an hour and a half each way. The sea can be rough, so bring seasickness tablets. British advice is against all but essential travel to Manabí province, so check your government's advice. Keep away from nests, stay on the trail and bring water and a hat.
Birds nesting near the trail.
Turtles and colourful fish.
Humpback whales in season.
Off Puerto López, Machalilla National Park, Manabí province
Roughly June to October, though it is not guaranteed on every trip.
Visits follow guided trails, and tour offers usually include the guide.