The Galápagos Islands are often celebrated for their sea lions basking on beaches and penguins darting through turquoise waters. Yet tucked away on Floreana Island is a tradition. This tradition speaks not of wildlife, but of human longing. It is the world’s most unconventional postal service.
A Barrel of Letters and Longing
Back in 1793, British whalers, weary from years at sea, devised a system to reach loved ones across oceans. They left a wooden whiskey barrel on Floreana Island, a pit stop already prized for its fresh water and giant tortoises. Sailors could drop off letters and, in turn, pick up mail addressed to destinations near their own ports of call.
It was a slow system—sometimes letters arrived years after being written—but it worked. Captain David Porter recorded the practice in 1813, describing “Hathaway’s Postoffice” nailed to a pot. Later explorers noted fishermen bottling notes and carrying them back to America, often after feasting on Floreana’s tortoises. By the time Charles Darwin arrived in 1835, the tortoises had been hunted to extinction, but the barrel remained.
The Honor System Lives On
Two centuries later, the tradition still thrives. Today, Post Office Bay is a simple wooden barrel covered in postcards, notes, and keepsakes from travelers. Driftwood painted with names and dates surrounds the site, a collage of human connection across time.
Visitors are encouraged to leave their own postcards—no stamps required, just a clearly written address and a little faith. The true magic lies in rummaging through the barrel. If you find a letter destined for somewhere near your home, you’re entrusted to deliver it, preferably by hand. Tour guides insist that dropping it in a mailbox is “cheating.”
Stories abound of travelers embracing this responsibility. In 2011, a couple spent three years hand-delivering 22 letters to recipients in 17 countries. Each delivery became a moment of serendipity, a reminder that travel is as much about people as places.
Visiting Post Office Bay Today
Post Office Bay sits on the northern coast of Floreana Island, accessible only via Galapagos cruise itineraries. The barrel is still there, weathered but resilient, surrounded by graffiti, stickers, and driftwood tributes. We visited this post office as part of our Galapagos cruise. We left a few postcards for our friends. We also took some postcards that had addresses in Georgia and delivered them.
Why Floreana?
Floreana was always a logical choice. It offered one of the few fresh water sources in the archipelago, along with abundant tortoises (until their tragic extinction). For whalers, it was a natural pit stop, a place to replenish supplies and leave behind letters filled with hope.
A Tradition of Trust
Post Office Bay is more than a quirky tourist stop—it’s a living testament to human connection. Imagine the lonely sailor, penning words to family he might not see for years. Imagine the joy of a recipient, surprised by a letter hand-delivered across continents.
In a world of instant communication, Post Office Bay reminds us of the romance of patience. It also reminds us of trust and strangers helping strangers. It is history you can touch, a tradition you can join, and a story still unfolding in the islands.
Peaks to Palaces 