Floreana tides

Steeped in whaling history and unique natural features, Floreana Island encompasses the historic wooden barrel site at Post Office Bay, the olivine-tinted sands of Playa Cormorant Point, the landing at Puerto Velasco Ibarra, and the rocky shoreline of La Lobería. At Playa Cormorant Point, high tide brings green sea turtles into the shallow surf to feed, while low tide exposes the green olivine sand crystals and opens up the trail across the point to a powdery white sand beach where stingrays glide in the shallows. Snorkeling at Post Office Bay and La Lobería is best enjoyed around high tide when deeper water covers the volcanic rock shelves, allowing seamless swimming alongside sea lions and sea turtles. Because all shelling and collecting are illegal in the national park, monitoring tides is essential for timing smooth beach landings from dinghies and catching peak wildlife activity in the intertidal zones.