Playa Espumilla :: Santiago Island

The Espumilla visitor site is on the northern coast of Santiago Island in James Bay.

During the last presence the El Niño phenomenon, one of the two lagoons in this site, underwent a process of sedimentation, thus causing the disappearance of a representative colony of flamingos.

The main attractions here are a palo santo forest, beach and the landscape. The beach is an important site for nesting marine turtles (Chelonia midas agassizi).

One of the main predators of sea turtle eggs were pigs, which were eradicated entirely on Santiago island. 

The presence of goats in Santiago had jeopardized the vegetation of this island, in time came there came to be around 120,000. Thanks to the creation of the Isabela Project eradication this introduced species was achieved. 

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Special Indications 

• Until 1982, there was a brackish water lagoon behind the mangroves, but due to the effects of El Niño 1982-83, it was totally altered. The trail continues into the dry zone and in the end, one can observe land birds of all types and the landscape is very beautiful.

• The landing can be difficult when the surf is strong. Sometimes it is easier to land on the rocks west of the monument.