Isla de la Plata is an Island situated off of the coast of Manabí and is a part of the Machalilla National Park. The name comes from the legend that "Sir Francis Drake" hid the treasure that he had taken from the Spanish here. According to this legend a large part of this treasure is still hidden somewhere on the island. The Isla de la Plata is also known as “Little Galapagos” as here it is possible to see many of the species that inhabit the distant Galapagos Islands, for example various species of Boobies including the Blue Footed and Red Footed Boobies, frigate birds, Albatrosses and Iguanas. In the surrounding waters you can find sea lions, Dolphins and Turtles. Humpbacked Whales also appear along the coastline between June and November, the period of courting and reproduction for these majestic creatures