Fernandina Island

Fernandina, the westernmost-and youngest-of the main islands, has the highest volcanic activity of any of the islands, the most recent eruption having occurred in May of 2005. The island has one visitor site, Punta Espinosa , where flightless cormorants, pelicans, penguins, sea lions, and an abundance of marine iguanas reside. There are two short trails that lead to recently formed lava fields, where visitors can see pahoehoe and aa lava types and pioneer plants.

Because the cold Cromwell current has its greatest impact on water temperature and nutrient upwelling in the western archipelago, the marine ecosystem surrounding Fernandina is extremely resource-rich. Here there is an abundance of organisms not found anywhere else in the archipelago. The area has even been declared a Whale Sanctuary, because it serves as a feeding area for Bryde's whales, pilot whales, and bottlenose dolphins.