From San Cristobal we sailed overnight to Floreana arriving about dawn.
Our first destination was a small rocky outcrop called Champion Islet which lies just off the north coast of Floreana. This small island and the remote Gardner-by-Floreana Islet are the last home of the critically endangered Floreana (or Charles) Mockingbird. This bird was once widespread on the main island of Floreana but its singular habitat of cactus has been destroyed by feral pigs and goats. Tourist boats are not permitted to land on either of these island refuges so the only way to see the bird is to creep along the shore line either in the cruise boat or by zodiac. A zodiac has the advantage of getting close to the shore but gives a very low and choppy view point; the smaller cruise boats can get quite close to some of the rocky headlands giving tolerably good views of the birds which is what we did.
From Champion Islet we motored a short distance to the Devil's Crown, a circle of rocks which is the stump of an almost submerged volcano. On the way we were accompanied by a pod of Bottle-nosed Dolphins. The Devil's Crown gave some wonderful snorkeling in clear but rather cold water in a rushing current. We had great views of a shoal of Golden Rays while deeper there were White-tipped Reef Sharks and Eagle Rays. The Devil's Crown was also alive with hundreds of Galapagos Shearwaters, boobies and noddies.
Later we visited the main island of Floreana where we took a truck/bus for a few miles into the highlands. The target bird species here was the Medium Tree-Finch which is endemic to Floreana and this was easily located. We walked up to a spot where clear fresh water appears as springs in a small lava cliff. This spot is known as the 'pirates' water supply' and it must have been back-breaking work to carry the precious water all the way back down to the ships anchored off shore. Close by is a pen where a number of Galapagos Giant Tortoises are kept. Sadly these are not of the original Floreana sub-species which is now extinct, thousands having been taken as a supply of fresh meat in the days of the pirates and whalers.