Rabida Island is small compared to its neighbouring islands to the north, west and east. It is defined by a steep, rocky coastline, except for one beach on the northeastern side. Here the pangas can land and collect passengers with ease.
Originally it was called Jervis Island as a tribute to British Admiral John Jervis, 1st Earl of St Vincent. However, this was later replaced in favour of the Ecuadorian name of Isla Rábida. This was a name of considerable importance. It was in La Rabida Monastery in the tiny village of Palos de la Frontera that Christopher Columbus convinced Queen Isabella’s confessor that he could reach India and China by sailing west, not east. It was here that he convinced the Pinzón brothers to join him and raise a crew of local sailors to man the three ships of the expedition. And it was also from Palos de la Frontera that the first expedition to the New World set sail on August 3, 1492. It was at the same convent of Rábida, where Columbus left his son during his voyage to the Americas.
Rabida Island today
Rabida Island is a largely barren and arid land, though home to so many birds. Brown Pelicans nest in the lower branches of the salt brush trees behind the beach. These are favourtie photo opportunities for cruise passengers, because you can get really close-up to these magnificient animals. And then there are the Blue-footed and Nazca Boobies that nest and frequent the cliffs above, constantly darting into the water to take prey.
The colour of the island is a rich, red iron ore hue, a tribute to its volcanic past, along with a few craters as another giveaway.
