Located off the east coast of Santra Cruz Island, South Plaza Island is home to some of the most amazing wildlife in all the Galapagos Islands. It was originally formed thousands of years ago when lava flowed from the bottom of the ocean and cooled into a small, flat area. Over the course of time, nesting birds have taken to this habitat including red-billed tropicbirds and swallow-tailed gulls. Blue Footed Boobies also frequent the island.
Another wonderful sight is the prickly pear (Opuntia galapageia) cactus forest. This is often intermixed with sea lions, as well as marine and land iguanas.
A large colony of Galápagos land iguanas thrive here. Furthermore, the territory and breeding season of the Galapagos land iguana overlap only on South Plaza Island with those of the marine iguana, giving rise to a unique population of hybrid iguanas. Depending on the season, the Sesuvium ground vegetation changes its colour from green in the rainy season to orange and purple in the dry season
