Floating 25 miles off Ecuador's coast inside Machalilla National Park, Isla de la Plata is where blue-footed boobies nest inches from your feet and humpback whales breach beside the tender on the way in. Same wildlife magic as the Galápagos — one fraction of the distance.
There is no pier on Isla de la Plata — all access is by tender or Zodiac, ending in a wet landing at Bahía Drake.
💡 Pro move: The entire island is a strict nature reserve. You must stay with a certified naturalist guide at all times. No free wandering.
Isla de la Plata has no pier — all ships anchor offshore and land passengers by Zodiac or tender at Bahía Drake.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Expedition lines (Silversea, Lindblad, Hurtigruten, Seabourn) | Anchor off Bahía Drake📍 | Tendered |
| Larger cruise ships via Puerto López excursion | Speedboat from Puerto López dock📍 | Tendered |
All visits are guided — the national park requires a certified naturalist, so every excursion is essentially a guided nature walk with optional snorkeling.
Walk the signature loop where boobies nest right at your feet. All three booby species (blue-footed, Nazca, red-footed) plus frigatebirds and, seasonally, waved albatrosses are seen on the island trails.
Find guided wildlife tours →June through September, humpback whales migrate from Antarctica to calve in Ecuador's warm coastal waters. The boat crossing to and from the island almost guarantees sightings — breaching and tail-slapping right alongside.
Find whale watching excursions →The waters around Bahía Drake and reef sites like Palo Santo Reef host resident green sea turtles year-round. August and September bring aggregations of giant manta rays (wingspans to 22 ft) — one of the world's best manta encounters.
Find snorkeling tours →The classic day excursion from Puerto López: speedboat crossing, guided booby trail, snorkeling stop, whale watching en route, and a box lunch on the boat. Covers the island's highlights in one go.
Find full-day island tours →All walking on the island is via guided trail loops — no independent wandering is permitted inside the national park.
The shorter trail circuit from Bahía Drake up the steep staircase to the clifftop plateau. Prime blue-footed booby nesting ground — birds sit directly on and beside the path.
📍 Open in MapsThe longer trail circuit (the island's most-walked route), extending across the plateau to frigatebird colonies and panoramic clifftop ocean views. Best chance for waved albatrosses (May–December). Rocky, dusty, and zero shade — go early.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Isla de la Plata, Manabí, Ecuador (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 80°F / 27°C | 71°F / 22°C | 30 | 6:23 AM | 6:29 PM |
| Feb | 81°F / 27°C | 71°F / 22°C | 28 | 6:27 AM | 6:33 PM |
| Mar | 82°F / 28°C | 71°F / 22°C | 30 | 6:22 AM | 6:28 PM |
| Apr | 82°F / 28°C | 71°F / 22°C | 29 | 6:13 AM | 6:19 PM |
| May | 82°F / 28°C | 72°F / 22°C | 29 | 6:09 AM | 6:16 PM |
| Jun | 80°F / 27°C | 70°F / 21°C | 24 | 6:13 AM | 6:21 PM |
| Jul | 80°F / 27°C | 70°F / 21°C | 24 | 6:18 AM | 6:26 PM |
| Aug | 80°F / 27°C | 69°F / 21°C | 21 | 6:17 AM | 6:24 PM |
| Sep | 81°F / 27°C | 70°F / 21°C | 22 | 6:08 AM | 6:14 PM |
| Oct | 81°F / 27°C | 70°F / 21°C | 22 | 5:59 AM | 6:05 PM |
| Nov | 81°F / 27°C | 70°F / 21°C | 21 | 5:58 AM | 6:04 PM |
| Dec | 81°F / 27°C | 70°F / 21°C | 28 | 6:08 AM | 6:15 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
The sole way to visit is via a full-day guided boat tour departing from Puerto López or Manta. Tours include park entrance, bilingual guide, snorkeling gear, and lunch.
June–October tours combine the island visit with humpback whale watching en route. Highly recommended during whale season — book in advance as spaces are limited.
Cruise lines typically offer organized excursions with pick-up at the tender dock. Some Manta-based operators offer cruise terminal pick-up and drop-off with flexible cancellation if the ship cannot dock.
Budget option: travel to Puerto López independently and book a local operator on the waterfront. National park entrance fee (~$10) may be additional. No independent access to the island is permitted.
Upcoming cruises that call at Isla de la Plata, Manabí, Ecuador. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.