Post Office Bay Floreana
A historic barrel on Floreana Island where travelers leave and take postcards, continuing an 18th-century tradition.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Best for wildlife spotting
Post Office Bay Floreana
Best Time
Best for wildlife spotting
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A historic barrel on Floreana Island where travelers leave and take postcards, continuing an 18th-century tradition.
"A really cool place with a long tradition of leaving postcards for others to deliver."
🎯 Bring Your Own Postcard
Don't forget a postcard and pen to join the tradition!
🤝 Trust the System
It's an honor system; take a card and hand-deliver it if you can.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Historic Barrel
Post Office Bay
A wooden barrel, a tradition since the 18th century, where travelers leave and take postcards.
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Handwritten Mail Exchange
Post Office Bay
Participate in the unique tradition of leaving a postcard and taking one to hand-deliver.
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Beach Wildlife
Post Office Bay beach
Spot seabirds like Great Blue Herons and Sanderlings, and keep an eye out for penguins and sea turtles.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Tradition
+1Day Tour Access
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Bring Your Own Postcard
Don't forget a postcard and pen to join the tradition!
🤝 Trust the System
It's an honor system; take a card and hand-deliver it if you can.
🚢 Day Tour Friendly
Accessible via day tours from Puerto Ayora to Floreana.
📸 Capture the Moment
Great spot for unique travel photos and stories.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Bring Your Own Postcard
Don't forget a postcard and pen to join the tradition!
🤝 Trust the System
It's an honor system; take a card and hand-deliver it if you can.
🚢 Day Tour Friendly
Accessible via day tours from Puerto Ayora to Floreana.
📸 Capture the Moment
Great spot for unique travel photos and stories.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors find Post Office Bay a charming and historically significant stop, appreciating the unique tradition of the postcard barrel. The opportunity to participate and the scenic beach with wildlife are frequently highlighted positives. Some visitors were unclear about whether to hand-deliver or mail collected postcards.
"We visited here for a couple of hours during a 2-week yacht cruise of the Galapagos. We didn't walk around much, just to the Post Office box, which was fun to go through, looking through all the letters. I had fun watching Sandlings on the beach! Wildlife Spotted: Great Blue Heron, Sanderlings, Penguin, Petrel, Green Turtles."
Eileen Weed
"Absolutely a place to see. I had read about it but once I saw site, it had a whole different meaning. If you can, make sure you visit this site"
RD Mahanpour
"Lovely island great people. I visited by accident once due to a faulty sat nav. Was going to Tesco in Leeds UK & got lost."
Barry Scottish
What People Like
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Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Post Office Bay is located on Floreana Island. It is commonly visited as part of a day tour from Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island. Some older posts suggested it was only accessible by cruise ship, but day tours are now a popular option.
Yes, you can visit Post Office Bay without being on a cruise ship. Day tours to Floreana Island from Puerto Ayora typically include a stop here.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
There is no specific entrance fee for Post Office Bay itself, as it's a natural site. However, you will need to pay for a day tour to Floreana Island, which covers transportation and guided access.
Post Office Bay is an open-air site and accessible during daylight hours when tours are operating. There are no set opening or closing times.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The tradition at Post Office Bay involves a wooden barrel where sailors and travelers have left postcards and letters since the 18th century. Visitors can leave their own postcards and take one from another traveler to hand-deliver.
No, you do not need stamps for postcards left at Post Office Bay. The tradition relies on travelers hand-delivering mail they pick up.
You can often spot seabirds like Great Blue Herons and Sanderlings on the beach. Keep an eye out for penguins and Green Sea Turtles as well.
Yes, a visit to Post Office Bay is typically a couple of hours, making it ideal for day tours.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture the unique wooden barrel, the postcards, and the scenic beach. Wildlife sightings also offer great photo moments.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
+1Remember to bring extra postcards and pens, and encourage kids to write messages to friends or family back home. The beach area also provides opportunities for spotting marine iguanas and shorebirds, adding to the adventure. Ensure children are supervised, especially near the water.
🚢 Cruise Ship Passengers
+1Take time to explore the barrel and see where postcards come from. If you find one addressed near your home, consider taking it to fulfill the tradition. It's a unique way to connect with fellow travelers and the history of the islands.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Enduring Tradition of Post Office Bay
+1Today, this tradition continues, offering visitors a chance to step back in time. You can write a postcard, leave it in the barrel, and then sift through the mail left by others. If you find a postcard addressed to someone near your home, the unspoken agreement is that you’ll hand-deliver it upon your return. This creates a fascinating, personal connection across distances and generations.
+1Participating in this tradition is a highlight for many visitors. It’s a tangible way to engage with the history of the Galapagos and the adventurous spirit of its early inhabitants. The act of leaving a message and potentially carrying another’s across the globe is a memorable experience that sets Post Office Bay apart.
+1Accessing Post Office Bay: Day Tours vs. Cruises
Day tours from Puerto Ayora, the main town on Santa Cruz Island, are now a popular and convenient way to reach Floreana Island and its famous Post Office Bay. These tours typically include transportation, guided visits to key sites on Floreana, and often lunch. This makes it a feasible option for travelers who prefer not to book an extended cruise.
When planning your visit, confirm with your tour operator that Post Office Bay is included in the itinerary. This ensures you won't miss out on participating in the centuries-old postal tradition and enjoying the scenic beach and potential wildlife sightings.
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