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El Junco Lagoon

El Junco Lagoon

One of only a few fresh water lakes in Galápagos

Information about El Junco Lagoon

Biodiversity

Panorama

Accesibility

El Junco Lagoon is one of the very few permanent sources of fresh water in the whole Galápagos. It avoids evaporation thanks to its elevation - some 2,300ft above sea level in the moist highlands of San Cristobal. The journey to visit is via a 45 minute bus ride from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. The name comes from the many sage or "junco" plants that can be found around the lagoon. El Junco covers some 72,000 square yards and holds over 7 1/2 million gallons of fresh water.

The lagoon formed because this is the site of a collapsed cone of a long-extinct volcano. The source of water here is purely rain, and so the depth of the lake varies throughout the year, but it has never dried out in living memory. In fact scientists think the lagoon may have stayed filled since the end of the last ice age.

On your way to the lagoon itself you'll climb up through several different vegetation zones before you reach this wonderful viewpoint. As well as a superb place to drink in the wonderful landscape, it's also a great place to observe a wide variety of bird species, including rare mockingbirds, pintail ducks and even frigatebirds, who come here to bathe their feathers in the fresh water. Surrounding the lagoon are tree ferns and Miconia bushes.

Interesting facts about El Junco Lagoon

Stunning vistas

Wide variety of bird life

Pictures of El Junco Lagoon

El Junco Lagoon

Possible Activities in El Junco Lagoon

hiking

Hiking

Highlights Close to El Junco Lagoon

Animals in El Junco Lagoon

Our trips to El Junco Lagoon


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