Gps Coordinates / -1.2391021,-90.3856564
Champion Island Galapagos Ecuador Ocean Gps Locations
Champion Island, Ecuador
Floreana Island has, arguably, the most interesting human history of all of the Galapagos Islands. It is the site of the first “post office”, established in 1793 by whalers, and it was the home to the first Galapagos resident, a bold Irishman named Patrick Watkins who lived there from 1807-1809.
Gps Coordinates / -1.2390055,-90.3842926
Floreana was the first island to be colonized by Ecuadorians in 1832. It was a penal colony that didn’t last long because of the lack of fresh water. A fish canning plant was established there by Norwegian immigrants in 1924 it lasted only a couple of years.
Link Location Gps / Link Gps -90.3858825 / Link Gps -90.3843692 / Link Gps -90.3858501
Gps Coordinates / -1.2394261,-90.3858825 / -1.2391648,-90.3843692 / -1.2346026,-90.3858501
A few years later, Friedrich Ritter, a German doctor, arrived with his female companion Dore Strauch, who suffered from multiple sclerosis. A doctor of holistic medicine, Ritter removed all of his teeth and took with him stainless-steel dentures to avoid any dental complications. Together, they set up a very successful garden and lived off the land.
Link Location Gps / Link Gps -90.3860882 / Link Gps -90.3861658 / Link Gps -90.3861877
Gps Coordinates / -1.2348849,-90.3860882 / -1.2349776,-90.3861658 / -1.2350036,-90.3861877
The majority of Floreana residents make their living by farming. The main water source for Floreana is a natural pond that fills up with rainwater during the rainy season; during droughts water problems can become quite serious for the population. Transportation to and from Floreana is very limited, with a boat from Santa Cruz Island arriving, on average, every two weeks.
Gps Coordinates / -1.2396065,-90.3845827
Devil’s Crown is a volcanic crater that has been eroded away by the waves, with a few rocky spikes protruding above the water in a semicircular pattern. Inside the crown, snorkelers find an underwater oasis of coral reefs and the marine species that are attracted to them, such as playful sea lions, colorful King Angel Fish, Balloon Fish, hawkfish, Yellowtail grunts, Tiger Snake Eels, White-tipped Sharks, Eagle Rays, amberjacks, wrasses, Hammerhead Sharks, and sea turtles.
Link Location Gps / Link Gps -90.3857192 / Link Gps -90.3842393 / Link Gps -90.3857047
Gps Coordinates / -1.2391839,-90.3857192 / -1.2388941,-90.3842393 / -1.2391638,-90.3857047
Four islets to the east and southeast of Floreana provide good opportunities for viewing sea turtles, sea lions, and a high diversity of fishes. A large quantity of sharks can be observed at Enderby Islet. Diversity of fishes is high. Dinghy rides around Gardner Islet provide the visitor with views of interesting rock formations and large caves.
Link Location Gps / Link Gps -90.385404 / Link Gps -90.3862936 / Link Gps -90.3866652
Gps Coordinates / -1.2387718,-90.385404 / -1.2351305,-90.3862936 / -1.2355678,-90.3866652
The most intensive study and restoration of a Galapagos petrel colony was carried out at Cerro Pajas in the highlands of Floreana. The work began in the early 1980s and continues today with park wardens regularly controlling introduced species (primarily cats and rats) during the nesting period of these seabirds. These efforts have resulted in a significant increase in the number of birds fledging and the overall population.
Aerial View of Champion Island
