When you think of Floreana Island in the Galapagos, images of unique wildlife and scenic trails might come to mind. However, there’s much more to this island than meets the eye. Floreana is rich with intriguing stories and activities making it a fascinating destination. Here, we share some unique anecdotes and reasons why Floreana should be on your Galapagos travel list, featuring a special story about the post office barrel, and a Hollywood connection that adds an element of mystery and allure to the island.
A Postcard from Post Office Bay
One of the most charming traditions on Floreana Island is the activity at Post Office Bay. This tradition dates back to the 18th century when whalers used a wooden barrel as a makeshift post office. Today, visitors continue this tradition by leaving postcards for others to retrieve and hand deliver.
Recently, Santiago Dunn, Ecoventura’s CEO, took part in this age-old custom. During a media event in Los Angeles, Santiago delivered a postcard addressed to someone in the city. He had picked up this postcard from Post Office Bay during a cruise expedition. Included in our itinerary A “Beaches & Bays”, we give guests a postcard to address to anyone they wish. Other guests can then take these postcards and deliver them personally, just as Santiago did. It’s a small act that connects people worldwide through the simple joy of receiving a postcard.
Apart from its historical significance, Post Office Bay is a testament to human connection and adventure. This activity allows our guests to become part of a long-standing tradition, adding a personal touch to their Galapagos journey.
Hollywood and Floreana’s Murder Mystery:
Floreana’s global profile is set to rise with the upcoming release of Eden movie, a new movie directed by Ron Howard to premiere in September. This major movie explores a true-life story of scandal, sexual liberation, and murder that took place on the island in the 1930s. Starring Sydney Sweeney, Vanessa Kirby, Ana de Armas, and Jude Law, “Eden” promises to captivate audiences worldwide and draw attention to Floreana’s mysterious past. The film delves into the lives of European settlers who sought paradise but found themselves entangled in a web of intrigue and tragedy. Learn more about the movie here.
Bringing Back Birds:
Floreana is a focal point for conservation efforts, and Ecoventura supports the landbird restoration project through our fund with the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF). Recently, CDF initiated the reintroduction of 12 locally extinct bird species, including six small landbird species, as part of the Floreana Restoration Project. Healthy wild landbirds from other islands are being selected for reintroduction to Floreana.
To ensure the success of these efforts, it’s essential to assess the health of these bird populations by identifying and understanding the presence of pathogens. This will help determine which islands are safe sources for the translocation.
Local biotechnologist Gislayne Mendoza has completed PCR analyses on 410 samples from five different islands, studying three pathogens: adenovirus, herpesvirus, and mycoplasmosis. The analysis revealed two new strains of herpesvirus and six new strains of adenovirus unique to Galapagos landbirds, likely due to evolutionary processes in the archipelago.
These findings are crucial for the Floreana Restoration Project and other rewilding efforts, as they highlight the need to prevent the introduction of diseases to new populations. To address this, meetings with local stakeholders and the Galapagos National Park Directorate are being held to strategize disease management and develop comprehensive feasibility plans for successful translocations.
Due to the success of the land bird restoration project on Floreana, the Charles Darwin Foundation plans to introduce the same project on other islands with vulnerable land bird species.
History, culture, and conservation intersect here. Whether you’re participating in the unique tradition at Post Office Bay, exploring the dramatic stories of Baroness Point, or witnessing the positive impact of conservation efforts, Floreana offers a travel experience unlike any other.
Join us on this incredible journey with Ecoventura and become part of Floreana’s ongoing story!
