Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Ecuador Isla de la Plata

Isla de la Plata

This small uninhabited island offers Galapagos-like biodiversity.

Ecuador

Added By
Max Cortesi
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Blue-footed booby.   Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
Whale.   Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
Albatros.   Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
Booby Chicks  
Sea lion.   Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
Isla de la Plata.   Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
Lizard.   Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
Frigate Birds  
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The Galapagos Islands are an obvious destination for any explorer who’s wild about biological diversity. But for those who can’t afford to visit the famed epicenter of evolution evidence, there’s a smaller, cheaper option.

Isla de la Plata (Silver Island) is an uninhabited island that’s part of Parque Nacional Machalilla. It's about 25 miles off Puerto Lopez, Ecuador. The root of its name is uncertain: It may refer to the treasure allegedly buried there by Sir Francis Drake, or it may refer to the reservoir of guano (bird droppings) that glints in the sun from atop the cliffs.

The two-square mile island is a hotbed of biological diversity. It’s packed with a plethora of birds, including different types of boobies, frigatebirds, tropicbirds, albatrosses, and pelicans. Honorable non-avian mentions include its many lizards, iguanas, turtles, crabs, and sea lions, all of which can be seen with relative ease.

Upon setting foot on the island, most people experience the feeling of stepping onto another world, as curiosity prompts blue-footed boobies to wobble toward the human visitors. At arm’s length, the birds simply stare at people or dismissively pass by them. And just to dispel any doubt, no, “blue booby” is not a misnomer—their feet (and beak) are indeed blue!

If you visit between June and September, you’ll likely see whales and dolphins popping out of the waves that ripple across the ocean separating the island from the mainland. Snorkeling will let you catch a peek of the fish and turtles that frequent the island's coastal waters.

Related Tags

Islands Nature Evolution Birds Whales Dolphins Animals

Know Before You Go

GPS coordinates lead to the tourist information center. There are walking trails throughout the island.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Wild Galapagos: An Ecological Wonderland

Darwin's legacy, snorkeling, volcanic landscapes & conservation insights.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

Max Cortesi

Edited By

Manta

  • Manta

Published

December 6, 2017

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2010/nov/27/ecuador-wildlife-poor-mans-galapagos
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isla_de_la_Plata
  • http://visitpuertolopez.com/explore/IslaDeLaPlata/
  • https://traveloutlandish.com/blog/galapagos-alternative-isla-de-la-plata-vs-galapagos/
  • http://www.pro-ecuador.com/Isla-de-la-Plata.html#sthash.XQ0hmdEy.dpbs
Isla de la Plata
Ecuador
-1.268667, -81.066039

Nearby Places

Agua Blanca Community

Agua Blanca, Ecuador

miles away

Corrales Marinos de Monkey Beach

Canoa, Ecuador

miles away

Rio Muchacho Organic Farm

Canoa, Ecuador

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Ecuador

Ecuador

South America

Places 36
Stories 26

Nearby Places

Agua Blanca Community

Agua Blanca, Ecuador

miles away

Corrales Marinos de Monkey Beach

Canoa, Ecuador

miles away

Rio Muchacho Organic Farm

Canoa, Ecuador

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Ecuador

Ecuador

South America

Places 36
Stories 26

Related Places

  • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

    Keahole Point Blowhole

    This unusual lava tube spouts seawater during high surf.

  • Bass Rock Gannet Colony.

    East Lothian, Scotland

    Bass Rock

    This tiny island is home to the world's largest colony of Northern gannets.

  • Mesetas, Colombia

    Cañon del Guejar (Güejar River Canyon)

    River raft through rural Colombia’s ancient rock formations, pristine landscapes, and towering waterfalls.

  • Puffins thrive off the coast of Maine thanks to a 1970s effort called Project Puffin.

    Rockland, Maine

    Project Puffin Visitor Center

    Learn about the history and hopeful future of Maine’s nesting birds at this interactive Audubon facility.

  • Johnson Beach, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

    Pensacola, Florida

    Johnson Beach

    A pristine beach on the Gulf of Mexico with deep ties to Pensacola’s Black community.

  • Hawk Mountain Sanctuary

    Kempton, Pennsylvania

    Hawk Mountain Sanctuary

    Beautiful views of the surrounding hills and birds of prey can be found at this sanctuary.

  • Birds of prey are a frequent sanctuary visitor.

    Minneapolis, Minnesota

    Thomas Sadler Roberts Bird Sanctuary

    A hidden oasis in the heart of Minneapolis is also an Important Bird Area.

  • The Wren’s Eggs

    Whitehead, Northern Ireland

    The Wren's Eggs

    These huge glacial erratics are humorously named after a much much smaller bird.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.