North Seymour Island
Isla Seymour Norte
A flat small island north of Baltra, where blue-footed boobies perform courtship dances and frigatebirds inflate their red throat pouches. It is the easiest seabird kingdom to reach.
North Seymour is a flat little island formed by uplifted lava from the seafloor. It covers less than 2 square kilometers, yet it is one of the largest magnificent frigatebird breeding grounds in the Galapagos. It also has many blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, sea lions, and yellow land iguanas (relocated from Baltra in the 1930s to breed). After landing, a loop trail of about 2 kilometers takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Male frigatebirds inflate huge red throat pouches on the bushes to attract females. Blue-footed boobies lift their feet, spread their wings and call with their heads raised in courtship dances, often only a meter or two from the trail. Because it is very close to Baltra Airport, it is one of the most popular day-cruise destinations from Santa Cruz (about USD 200 to 250 per person, including a guide, lunch and a snorkeling stop). It is also included in many liveaboard itineraries, so book in advance. The landing is 'dry': you step from a small boat onto the rocks, so wear non-slip shoes. Tips: Stay on the trail. If a bird is nesting on the trail, wait for it to move.
Opening hours
Boat time slots only, with a licensed guide
Nearby sights
- Black Turtle Cove
- Las Bachas Beach
- Gordon Rocks
- South Plaza Island
- Dragon Hill
- Cerro Crocker
- Los Gemelos
- Bartolomé Island