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Rabida Island, Galapagos
Cotopaxi Travel Guide and Tips
January 8, 2019
Ecuador Travel Frequently Asked Questions
January 14, 2019Rabida Island, Galapagos is one of the most striking islands you will visit in the archipelago. This is because the soil on the island is comprised of a lot of iron, and this gives it a very distinctive red color. This is partly due to the volcanic activity on this island. This is perhaps one of the most surprising things about a Galapagos Islands cruise – many of the beaches you will land on or near are all variety of different colors, but the red color of Rabida Island is perhaps one of the most unusual.
Rabida Island is one of the smallest islands in the Galapagos covering 1.89 square miles, or 4.9 square kilometers. At its summit, it stands at 1,203 feet tall, or 367 meters. It has a very rocky surface, and steep slopes, and it has a tendency to be rather dry. The island is uninhabited, so do not expect to find opportunities to stay here overnight. The island was originally named after a British Admiral from the 18th century, whose name was John Jervis. However, it was later renamed to Rabida Island, after the convent where Columbus left his son.
Rabida Island Highlights
One of the highlights of Rabida Island is following the trail around to the lagoon, which is found behind the beach. Here a sizeable number of flamingos can often be seen. They are a bright pink color due to the pink shrimp lava that they feed on.
Rabida Island highlights also include the snorkeling here. The sea lions enjoy teasing the people while they are snorkeling. If the mood takes them, they will swim right up to your face before darting away at the last minute. This is truly the experience of a lifetime.
Bird watchers are also likely to find Rabida Island to be a highlight of their Galapagos Islands trip, thanks to the variety of different species here.
Best time to Go to Rabida Island
High Season
All year round is the answer to “When is the best time to go to Rabida Island?” However, if you want a season that is a little less busy, then it is best to avoid holiday periods. The archipelago is particularly busy around Christmas and New Year, and this is one of the peak seasons for the islands. June through September is also very busy, as children in Europe and North America have their school holidays during this time. It can also get rather busy around Thanksgiving time, and around the Easter holidays.
Weather
If photography is your thing, the best time to go to Rabida Island is September, as the light tends to be at its best for photography during this month. The weather is cool and dry from June to November and warmer and wetter between December to June. For those that prefer calmer seas and warmer waters it is best to go in the warmer of the two seasons.
Rabida Island Wildlife
Birders will love Rabida Island with its finches, yellow warblers, Galapagos doves, brown pelicans and mockingbirds. The lagoon is also home to a variety of birds such as pintail ducks, common stilts, and as mentioned, flamingos. You may also see blue footed and Nazca boobies.
In terms of the marine life, you may get to see sea turtles, eagle rays, eels, sharks and penguins. Sometimes it is possible to see fur seals, as there is a small colony here.
Sea lions can often be seen relaxing on the beach, and it is also common to see marine iguanas shading themselves among the rocks.
Rabida Island Activities
Rabida Island activities are not dissimilar from activities on other islands in the Galapagos. The main activity is walking the trail at the Rabida Island Galapagos visitor site. There is just the one visitor site on the island, which starts from the red beach to the north and it is reached through a wet landing. The trail runs by a salt water lagoon, and flamingos can often be seen here. Birdwatchers will enjoy the wide array of birdlife that can be found here. Swimming and snorkeling from the beach are recommended, as it is excellent here. There are also a lot of great photographic opportunities to be had, thanks to the bright red sand beach.
Insider Recommendations for your time on Rabida Island
One of our Insider tips for your time on Rabida Island is that you may get to see the brown pelican along the trail. There is salt brush along the trail, and here brown pelicans are known to nest. You may get some good opportunities to photograph them close up along this part of the trail, so don’t forget your camera! Look closely and you might even see a snake to the side of the trail. Steer clear of the large adult male bull sea lions, as they can be rather protective of their hareem. Some of the main cruises we recommend and that include a visit to Rabida island in their itineraries are the Grand Majestic and the Calipso Galapagos cruise.
At Ecuador and Galapagos Insiders we are very knowledgeable about Rabida Island, as well as all of the other islands in the Galapagos. Contact us to help you find a trip to the Galapagos Islands to take in Rabida Island.
