Isla de la Plata is the classic full-day trip from Puerto López, about 40 km offshore and often nicknamed the "Poor Man's Galapagos". The comparison is imperfect, but the wildlife is real: blue-footed, red-footed, and Nazca boobies, frigatebirds, pelicans, sea turtles, reef fish, and sometimes sea lions.
Tours are regulated and usually include the boat crossing, a guided island walk, lunch, and snorkelling. In whale season the ride out can be as memorable as the island itself, with humpbacks breaching or tail-slapping in the water between the mainland and the island.