Besides Santa Cruz, Floreana, with its population of about 30 people, is the only other inhabited island to be visited on this Galapagos itinerary.  Floreana has a colorful history of pirates, whalers, convicts, and colonists.  In 1793 British whalers set up the Post Office barrel to send letters to and from England.  This tradition has continues and visitors now can post their cards and letters to anywhere in the world

     Punta Cormorant offers two highly contrasting beaches; the landing beach is of volcanic origin and is composed of olivine crystals, giving it a greenish tinge.  At the end of the short trail is a carbonate beach of very fine white sand, formed by the erosion of coral skeletons; it is a nesting site for green sea turtles. Between these two beaches is a salt lagoon frequented by flamingoes, pintails, stilts, and other wading birds. An old eroded volcanic cone called Devil's Crown is a popular roosting site for seabirds such as boobies, pelicans, and frigates and it is not uncommon to see red-billed tropicbirds in rocky crevices. The center of Devil's Crown is an outstanding snorkeling spot full of sea lions and colorful fish.