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 Located
south of Santiago, Rabida is one of the most volcanically varied
islands in the chain. Geologically consisting of eroded hills
and lava emitted from spatter cones that have resulted in island's
striking colors. A visit begins with a wet landing on the deep
maroon colored northern beach.
Marine Iguanas and Sea Lions are often seen resting in the
shade of the caves nearby. Behind the beach is the salt brush
home where the Brown Pelicans make their nests. Rabida may be
the only opportunity visitors have to see Pelicans nesting up
close. On the cliffs above the Pelicans Blue-Footed and Masked
Boobies can be seen.
Following the path visitors arrive at a small saltwater lagoon
where Pink Flamingos, Bahama Pintail Ducks and Common Stilts
are frequently seen feeding. Rabida offers the best lagoons
in the islands for viewing Flamingos. These large Pink or Reddish
birds live in shallow saltwater lagoons. Feeding 7-12 hours
a day primarily on the pink shrimp larva and water boatman that
give them their color.
In 1971 the National Park Service successfully eradicated goats
from Rabida. This introduced species upset the natural environment
and led to the extinction of several native creatures including
Geckos, Land Iguanas, and Rice Rats
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Located
just south of James Island, in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Rabida
is one of the most volcanically varied islands in the chain,
It is a small island with just over 2 km wide and 400 meters
above sea level and is studded with several small volcanic craters
that give this island a distinctive look. Originally named for
the 18th-century British admiral John Jervis, Earl of St. Vincent,
the island's official Ecuadorian name is Isla Rábida.
Rábida has a lagoon and a flamingo rookery but no human
population. A visit begins with a wet landing on the deep maroon
colored northern beach.
A noisy colony of sea lions lives on the beach, and a short
trail inland is a good place to observe land birds such as finches,
doves, yellow warblers, and mockingbirds.
 Behind
the picturesque dark red beach lies a saltwater lagoon
where you usually see flamingos, white-checked pintail ducks
and pelicans. This is only a feeding area for flamingos, not
a nesting site, while the brown pelican does breed here at the
far side of the lagoon.
The
vegetation consists mainly of opuntia cactus, palo
santo trees and scrubby bushes. A side trail provides a
view of the interior of the island, including the steep palo
santo-covered slope, which dominates the area. Tours to this
island mostly end with swimming and snorkelling, which is very
good here.
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