Machalilla National Park

Isla de la Plata is a small island off the coast of Manabí, Ecuador, and is part of Parque Nacional Machalilla. It can be reached by boat from the city of Puerto López, which is 40 kilometers away. On the island, there is a large diversity of animal species. For example, several species of booby, including the blue-footed booby, red-footed booby, and the Nazca booby. Another species found here is the South American sea lion. Dolphins, like the pantropical spotted dolphin can be found in the water near the island.
Guided tours are given on a couple of different hiking trails. There are many nice beaches on the island where you can see many forms of wildlife and plant species.
There is a shrine from Inca times located in the island. 

 

We spent last Saturday with our NRT doctors visiting the Island.  It took us 2 hours by van and then over an our by boat.  A picture of the countryside on our way to the island of silver.

Streets of Puerto Lopez.  Where our tour to the island began.

Fishing fleet and customers on the beach while frigate birds watch from above.

Street scene in Puerto Lopez

Bamboo at the side of the road!

Fishermen hard at work!

Little three wheel jeepneys are a popular mode of travel.

Here's our boat ready for a one hour trip!  I got so sea sick out on the open ocean.  I don't ever want to go on the water again!!!!

Typical fishing boat!

Silver Island is very dry this time of year.  The white cliffs are a result of bird droppings over the millenia. Some say the island got it's name when ancient sailors saw the island in the light of the moon.

Island is very hilly and the trails are steep!

A blue footed Boobie sitting on her eggs.  We saw 100's of them!

Mother with hatchlings!

Picture of the shore from the top of the cliffs!

Cactus of the desert island!

Nasca Booby

Frigate Birds were all over and stinky!

Sea turtles surface as a result of chumming by our guides!

Beautiful fish surface after we saw the turtles!  We stopped and everyone except me and one other person went snorkling.  The water was choppy and not very clear so they didn't see many fish.

Sunset on the way home!