day trip to north seymour island

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• North Seymour Island
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North Seymour Island | Day tour starting at $240 | Galapagos 2024

Christian Echeverria

North Seymour island has a trail that takes you into the wilderness. Observe the flora and fauna of one of the Galapgos Islands that is not inhabited by humans. I can help you book the North Seymour island tour starting at $240 .

Chokotrip unlike Viator and other websites

Reserves your tour directly with the boat operators when you send your first payment. This is why our prices are not inflated and why when you reserve with us you recieve, the name and information of your tour operator so you can follow up directly with the tour operator and have the security of knowing that the tour is confirmed the moment you pay for it.

This day tour to North Seymour Island (Galapagos – Ecuador) is ideal for those who would enjoy a short walk on an uninhabitable island with the opportunity to observe diverse wildlife, including land iguanas and numerous bird species.

Blue footed boobies in North Seymour

North Seymour island

• How to get there

Trip itinerary

• Tour information
• Tour prices
• Check availability
• ES: Isla Seymour Norte

How to get to North Seymour Island

There are two ways to get to North Seymour Island in the Galapagos. First, on a Galapagos cruise that includes a visit to Seymour Island on its itinerary. Second, by taking a day tour to North Seymour Island from Santa Cruz island.

North Seymour on daily tour

The trip to North Seymour combines with a few of these destinations: » The Bachas Beach » Mosquera Islet

They all live together in North Seymour

Start the tour taking a bus from the sot assigned by the operator. This segment of the trip takes 45 minutes until you reach the Itabaca dock on Santa Cruz Island. The hike on Seymour Island lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes and the trail takes you to the heart of birdlife, such as: red-chested frigates, land iguanas, blue-footed boobies and other island inhabitants.

Frigatebird with its chest inflated at North Seymour

From there, based on permission granted to the vessel by the Galapagos National Park, you’ll do some activities combined with the North Seymour tour, which are:

Stories on Instagram from North Seymour Island

Lagoon with flamingos in Playa Las Bachas

» The Bachas Beach from Santa Cruz Island: You’ll go on a short hike to a lagoon and, if you’re lucky, you’ll see flamingos. Afterwards you’ll have time to spend on the beach or in the water, snorkeling.

Mosquera Islet and its white Caribbean beach

» Mosquera Islet : I definitely recommend this stop since it’s the best snorkeling spot in Las Bachas and the hike along the beach is colorful.

I recommend reserving far in advance if you want to go on this tour to North Seymour Island . Make sure you check availability far in advance, especially if you plan on traveling during the months of July, August or December.

NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND ON VIDEO

Information on tour to North Seymour

› Does not include: Alcoholic beverages, tip and neoprene suit (during the months of June and November, I recommend renting these with any local operator).

Sories on Instagram from North Seymour Island

Tour prices.

I work with 10 operators who own their own boats, you can travel to North Seymour in standard yachts, first class, luxury, catamarans or sailboats; each one has a different tour price.

I have segmented each vessel with star ratings, based on the price-quality relationship, both of the service on board, passenger feedback and comfort of the boat:

⭐⭐✩✩✩ low quality ⭐⭐⭐✩✩ decent quality ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ good quality ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ best quality

The tours with low prices are the ones that travelers complain about the most.

Reserve your North Seymour Island tour with a complete payment using the available payment methods: a bank transfer from any Ecuadorian bank (no additional cost), using WeTravel you can a bank transfer from any U.S. bank (1% + 0.30 cents in additional costs), credit or debit card (only 3.9% additional cost) o using Paypal (5.9% additional cost). Price does not include 12% IVA (only if you need an invoice).            

DON’T MISS OUT!

I can help you reserve this North Seymour Island tour with local operators that own the vessels. Instead of wasting time wandering around each island looking for tours, you should be enjoying the places you can visit on your own while at the Galapagos Islands.

• 📆 CHECK AVAILABILITY

I can help you reserve this North Seymour Island tour with local operators that own the vessels. Instead of wasting time wandering around each island looking for tours, you should be enjoying the places you can visit on your own while at the Galapagos Islands.  

TRAVEL SAFE THROUGH THE GALAPAGOS

After a lot of research, I found a travel assistance service that really works and helps in difficult moments. Good travel insurance that covers flight cancellations is key and, in purchasing this, travelers that visit my blog also get a 5% discount.

• GO FOR YOUR INSURANCE 🎯

POLITICAS DE USO

• Al reservar hospedaje en cada isla, obtendras 10 dolares por isla, es decir si reservas en las 3 islas hospedajes obtendrias 30 dolares de descuento por persona al contratar tours diarios en las 3 islas.
• Al usar el descuento en los tours contratados con ChokoTrip, las reservas de hospedajes no podran ser canceladas ni se aplicaria ninguna politica de cancelacion ni cambio de fecha de los hoteles.
• Para acceder al descuento, la compra de los tours debe ser realizar por la misma persona que reservó en el siguiente formulario de la pagina de ChokoTrip
• Solo para reservas del 2024

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My name is Christian but you came call me Choko. Together with my wife we have created this blog to help all travelers going to Galapagos. I am from Ecuador, born in Guayaquil. Passionate about traveling and everything related to social media. In my free time I travel the americas. I have given conferences and workshops revolving around my work and tourism 2.0 // WRITE ME USING WHATSAPP: +593978990910 - BLOG EN ESPAÑOL ChokoTrip

25 Comments

Great Tour. Everything as described. Booking easy. Amazing snorkeling experience. Very competent guide

We booked the North Seymour tour. Easy booking and great communication with Choko. Loved this tour! So many birds and iguanas. Snorkeling was fun with lots of fish and a wonderful cool off. Our guide was very knowledgeable. Yacht was very comfortable and had a small changing area that we used to put dry clothes on for trip back. Crew was friendly and helpful. Captain motioned for me to climb up to the upper deck and it was fabulous up there with a wonderful breeze and padded benches. Lunch was deli out grilled fish. Saw a shark, Eagle ray, and seals on Mosquera island. Definitely recommend!

Excellent tour and great booking experience with ChokoTrip. I enjoyed this tour even though I do not snorkel. A must for anyone interested in birds.

We booked the sail boat to North Seymour Island and was worth every penny. Communication to book the adventure with Choko Trips was easy and the information provided was exactly as described. The tour itself was my favorite of the trip. The sail boat was smooth and relaxing compared to some of the other boat trips we took. They added some small touches that just capped off a fun day – a warm fresh water spray off after snorkeling, a (non-requested) special desert for a dairy free person in our party (the meal on the boat was very good) and a champagne toast to end the afternoon. The island its self was amazing as we saw a nesting Booby chick two feet off the path and frigates spreading their wings and showing us their beautiful gular sac.

Choko is responsive to your travel needs and helpful for foreigners who want to plan in advance. Great service! I appreciate his help finding me a tour company and make reservations. I had an excellent time on the tour itself which was through Galaxy Agents.

We absolutely loved this trip. The service provided by Choko, the guide and crew was flawless, they were all very kind, informative and friendly, especially helpful to my 78 year old Mum. The islands are stunning. Seymour Norte was a hot, alien landscape filled with frigates doing their mating routine. We were lucky enough to see several blue footed boobies there, though not as close, along with land iguanas and sea lions. The stop at islote Mosquera was really special, it’s a stunning place, sea lions galore, and we even snorkelled with some playful sea lion pups! Couldn’t have enjoyed it more. If I have the chance to come back, I’ll book again. Thank you!

Our trip to North Seymour Island was spectacular!!! Do not hesitate to book it! It was our first tour; and hands down, one of the best during our time in the Galápagos. The wildlife, scenery, swimming, beaches, snorkeling, boat, lunch….AMAZING. Also, a massive thank you to Christian for organizing this trip on such short notice for a family of four. I really do appreciate! We will be back and we will be booking with this company again. Thank you for the cherished memories.

We spent 9 days in the islands and choko’s trip to North Seymour was the highlight of our trip. The transportation to and from our b&b was well communicated and on time. The boat was the most comfortable of all our tours and the island had everything we came to the islands to see. We then swam at a beautiful beach with a school of young sea lions. And to top it all we had a fantastic sit down lunch on the boat. I highly recommend this tour.

Great service! I needed this trip to North Seymour on a specific day to fit around my other itinerary, and Choko was able to get me a tour on a high quality yacht, it turned out to be our favourite daytrip of the entire vacation. Smooth booking process and very easy to confirm. Keep in mind that most of the contact (on here and in the Galapagos) will be through Whatsapp.

I was looking for North Seymour tour at the end of last year. At that time I was on Isabella island, and everyone told me this tour was full. I asked a few travel agencies on the island, also ask the hosts of the islands where I had stayed to help me, and everyone had reached out to their contacts but came back with disappointing news.

So I googled it and foubd this website and left a message here. Chris responded in just a few minutes, then he set the tour for us, a four- people family.

I had to pay ahead, and to be honest my families warned me this might be a scam. But I want to give a try.

So on that day, a taxi driver picked us from the hotel on time, and drove about 40 minutes to sent us to the dock to take a boat. We were assigned with a big boat, but only 16 people are allowed in one tour group, so we have plenty space in the boat. Out your guide was a young girl but very experienced. The tour was fantastic! Every bird lover has to take this tour. We saw so many birds and I brought 600mm lenses, took many beautiful pictures.

And at the end of day, when we got off the boat our driver was waiting at the dock to send us back to the hotel.

I had a great time that day. Thanks Chris for the rescue to find us a your in last minute!

This trip to North Seymour was really good. We saw a number of birds and seals on the island itself. We were also very fortunate to see several manta rays swimming just off shore as we returned to our boat. The subsequent trip to the beach was also very nice and once again we were in luck to spot some flamingos in one of the small ponds just back from the beach. Overall a very good day trip.

You can here https://www.choko.tours/book-tours/

Awesome North Seymour tour!

North Seymour is a “must see” while in the Galápagos and Choko Tours made it easy. Great service and a quality connection. The snorkeling on this trip is in somewhat open water so can be a bit rougher, but the rest of the trip was spectacular. I highly recommend booking this tour with Choko.

Choko and Sandra helped me a lot. We were too late in booking any trips – because it was at high season time. Choko and Sandra were very patient – and searched around for good trips. They took my specific requirements and ensured that they found a good trip for me. This was way cheaper than the ones available via Viator too. We communicated over whatsapp – and got the booking done for the North Seymour trip -which was a highlight of our galapagos trip Sandra was even communicating when we were at galapagos providing good advice. Definitely someone i would recommend for booking all your trips

The best tour we had on Galapagos Islands. This small island is just incedible for close encounters with nesting sea birds including frigate birds and blue footed boobies Choko helped us with reservations, and price was very reasonable. Thanks a lot.

The tour was amazing! We got picked up on time, the guide was nice, the boat was beautiful and very comfortable. And the little island is full of animals!

The afternoon was very interesting; the morning was disappointing. In the morning we went to Bacha beach: it is stunning, but the “guide” openly said there wouldn’t be much to see and that the water was cold and cloudy (we still went in: it was true!). He told us we had 2 hours on the beach to always at our leisure (swim, snorkel, walk) but he just sat there without interacting with us. After a delicious lunch of tuna, sides and fruit, we went to north Seymour and then the guide was a proper one: he told us about the animals, pointed at things we should notice or be carful about. And north Seymour is great!

A DEFINITE MUST do! It was amazing picked me up from my hotel lobby despite it being out a ways and got me on time. Martine was our tour guide he was very informative the entire day from animals to plants and history. We took the bus to the boat sailed to North Seymour had a wonderful tour of the entire island at a very good pace. Came back to yummy lunch on the boat which was enough for all of us. We had all had those trips where we wish we had brought food not this trip. After lunch we sailed to Bacchus beach the whitest sand and bluest water I’ve ever seen we walked around a bit then snorkeled and swam the day away. Returned us to our hotel lobby’s in the same order as we were picked up which was a minor detail but a very welcomed courteous one!

This was a beautiful tour- very informational and lots of walking! Have good walking sandals, and a good camera! Lots of birds and endemic species found on the island. Don’t forget your wetsuit, as afterwards you can swim in the ocean. The boat and food were spectacular, and it’s a more upscale day excursion!

I was very pleased with the service and diligence of ChokoTrip. They booked us on a trip to North Seymour from Santa Cruz. They booked us on the Altamar Yacht which was fantastic. Their staff was on time for our pick-up, very helpful and attentive. We saw Blue Footedbobbies, Frigates, Sea Lions, Yellow Iguanas, and Sally Lightfoot crabs and shorebirds. We tried the snorkeling but there were no fishes worth the cold water. The beach was beautiful with white sand beaches. The food on the yacht was very good and the accommodations on board as well. Christian handled this excursion very quickly and effortlessly. I would highly recommend Choko.

A very interesting and beautiful place, perfect to see the fauna from Galapagos. Choko’s arrangements were perfect. From the tours offered in the webpage, we took a bit more expensive one, but it turned out to be worth it. The guide was very attentive and the food on board really excelent!

On short notice, Choko helped us get a tour to North Seymour Island. On Choko’s website he comments that “you get what you pay for”. The Yachat was not the lowest price, but we feel like we truly got our money’s worth.

First, Choko make the arrangements quickly and smoothly for us. This included easy payment methods by credit card.

Picked us up on time from our hotel in a comfortable bus for the ride to the boat. The Yatch has a fine and friendly Captain and crew. The boat is kept in immaculate condition. It was more than comfortable for the 16 people on our tour. We could sit inside an air conditioned cabin, or out on the front or rear decks. They cooked us a fine lunch, including making special arrangements for people who were vegetarian or with other food preferences. They had 2 good toilets, and cabins for changing clothes before and after snorkeling. They also provided snacks, towels, and nice snorkeling equipment. They called us out onto the decks to see fish jumping, proposes swimming with the boat, and other sights en route to the island.

Our guide, Felipe Ayala, was outstanding. Full of details and descriptions of geology, flora, and fauna. The plan for the day was well described and clear. North Seymour Island was full of mating frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, and land iguanas during our tour. The route is not long, but there was so much to learn along the way! Our guide, Felipe, was fantastic at explaining the plants and animals to us. He helped us to understand the things we were seeing, and pointed out many things we would have overlooked. After our time on North Seymour, we went to Bachas Beach for snorkeling before returning. There we were able to see flamingos and swim with sea turtles. It was an amazing day!

We never would have been able to find this great trip to North Seymour Island without the help of Choko! We deeply appreciate his lightning fast responses to email and WhatsApp messages, and all that he did to make this unforgettable moment possible for us.

Amazing trip. The wildlife was spectacular. So close. Snorkeling was fun too although the best part was the main island and the proximity of the wildlife. Would just have been good to have a bit more information about the plan of the day so we would know if snorkeling first or second etc. Price expensive but that’s the Galapagos. Definitely would recommend this trip.

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Discovering North Seymour Island : Day Tour From Santa Cruz

Created by Colleen Sims * 26 February 2024

Table of Contents

We decided to travel independently to the Galapagos and hop between the three main islands; we also planned day trips to some of the uninhabited islands.

North Seymour Island was high on our list. It’s close to Santa Cruz making it easily accessible as a day tour and is home to Magnificent Frigates (they really are called that) and Blue Footed Boobies.

Independent Galapagos : North Seymour Island Day Tour

The day tours to North Seymour Island from Santa Cruz are a great way to explore the diverse wildlife and natural beauty of Galapagos. The island itself is small, but it packs a punch with unique flora and fauna, making the trip a worthwhile addition to your Galapagos island-hopping adventure .

Most tours start with pick-ups or meeting points in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz. From there you’ll be driven up through the Highlands of Santa Cruz to the Itabaca Channel where you’ll meet your boat.

WE LOVED THIS NORTH SEYMOUR DAY TOUR

• Hotel pickup
• Excellent guide
• Great boat with wonderful lunch
• lots and lots of wildlife spotted

How Do You Reach North Seymour Island?

North Seymour Island is protected. You can only visit North Seymour by boat; either as part of a multi-day cruise or a day tour.

Visits and landing passes to all of the uninhabited Galapagos Islands are strictly controlled. Whilst you may find many companies selling tours, in reality there are perhaps only a dozen boats that make the journey to North Seymour.

The higher priced tours are often better boats and smaller group sizes. All will offer a combination of other activities. Ask about and compare these factors before booking your North Seymour tour.

Many multi-day cruises also visit North Seymour but as it is so easy to reach on a day trip, we’d thoroughly recommend arranging the tour yourself.

Top Tip : When planning your own itinerary do bear in mind that not all islands are visited every day. This is a really important factor when choosing your island day tours.

How Long Are Day Trips To North Seymour Island?

North Seymour tours are full day tours. Our tour started at 7:45am and we returned just before 5:00pm to our hotel. This is fairly typical for this day tour.

The cruise to the island can take up to an hour but drinks are served onboard and guides provide a considerable amount of information as you sail. We really enjoyed our time onboard, spotting birds and the occasional curious sea-turtle.

Once on the island you can expect around 1.5 hours of hiking. The terrain is flat although rustic in places, so comfortable walking shoes are a must. I understand the path is only about 2 kilometres in length, it felt a little longer but we stopped a great deal and the walk never felt rushed.

Most trips return to the boats for lunch and in the afternoon visit either Bachas Beach or the Mosquera Islet; our tour took us to Bachas Beach.

What To Expect on North Seymour Island?

North Seymour was formed by the uplift of submarine lava and not volcanic activity, resulting in a flat land profile. It’s a small island and a maximum elevation of 28 metres; so pretty flat.

North Seymour Island is a haven for wildlife and home to many unique species. Upon arrival at the island, visitors follow designated trails with their guides. These trails have been strategically placed to ensure minimal disturbance to the island’s ecosystem.

Many of the Galapagos landings are wet landings. At North Seymour we landed on a rock-like jetty and watched a school of Rays swim by. Later for the additional excursions you transfer to a Zodiac from your boat and land on the beach, often ankle deep in water.

During your tour, you will always be accompanied by an expert guide; one of the things we loved about our tours are the guides. They are official Galapagos guides, in addition to the boat crew. We had experts in geology, ornithology, volcanoes, marine biologists and all were Galapagos natives. You will learn a great deal from these fabulous professional guides!

• Expect to hike for around 90 minutes.
• Expect that there to be no shade and hot sun so take a hat, water, sunscreen and appropriate footwear and clothing
• Expect horseflies. We encountered this loathsome little biter often. Ensure that you have used bug spray in advance.

The hike itself is relatively easy and unlike Bartolome Island there’s very little elevation and is suitable for most abilities, although the terrain can be a little rugged in places. As you hike, you’ll come across different habitats such as shorelines, sandy beaches, and rocky stepping-stone like trails.

We immediately spotted marine and land iguanas, frigatebirds and blue-footed boobies and of course plenty of sea lions lounging around.

The animals on Galapagos have no fear of humans; they ignore you. You are allowed to get within two metres of the animals and quietly observe but never interfere, never use a flash and leave zero trace.

North Seymour was the first of our tours and it felt very surreal to be walking along the beach watching wildlife that we had only ever seen in David Attenborough documentaries; it really was the stuff of dreams.

What Wildlife Will You See on North Seymour?

North Seymour is home to a diverse range of wildlife. The island is home to abundant populations of blue-footed boobies, magnificent frigatebirds, Swallow-tailed gulls with their distinctive forked tails, common noddies, land and marine iguanas and sea lions and many others.

For us we wanted to see a Frigate Bird puff out it’s red chest and of course we wanted to see those blue feet; we saw both in abundance!

Blue-footed boobies : can be spotted preforming their elaborate courtship dances.  The open nesting grounds offer fantastic opportunities to observe their behaviour and their chicks.

Frigate birds : The island is home to the largest colony of Magnificent and Great frigatebirds with their impressive wingspans and beautiful bright red throat pouch.  The pouch is a mating tool, used to attract the ladies.

Land iguanas : These are not native but were introduced from Baltra Island in the 1930s in an effort to protect them from introduced goats.  They have thrived on North Seymour.  Land Iguanas play an important role in seed dispersal across the islands.

Marine iguanas : These can also be found in North Seymour.  At times in the past, marine iguanas on North Seymour have been observed eating land vegetation, a very unusual behaviour for this species.

Important fishing site for marine birds:   The seas around North Seymour are one of the most important fishing sites for marine birds due to its abundance of fish

Marine life:  Sea lions, sharks, rays, sea turtles and various fish species can be spotted near the shores.  We spotted a large school of rays near the shore waiting for our boat to collect us.

Snakes : Lucky visitors might encounter the Galapagos racer, the only snake native to the islands but very rarely seen

Vegetation:   The island receives little rainfall, leading to sparse vegetation dominated by low-growing bushes and cacti, adapted to the dry climate.

Conservation Issues :  Strict regulations are in place to protect the island’s unique ecosystem and wildlife.  In particular the island is currently rat-free, rats have become a problem on other islands.

Will You Have A Guide On A Day Tour?

All tours to the uninhabited islands are with an official guide. You cannot visit these islands without an official guide. As we mentioned earlier the guides are experts in their fields and we didn’t meet one guide who wasn’t passionate about their work on the Galapagos Islands.

We opted to pay for the more expensive tours with smaller groups and we felt this was a good choice. The guides had more time to spend answering individual questions and the tours all felt very relaxed and unrushed.

What’s Included In The North Seymour Island Tour?

The North Seymour Island tour includes transport to and from Puerto Ayora; some will collect you from or very near to your hotel and others have a meeting point in town.

• All transport to and from the pick-up point will be included in your tour
• Tours will include an official guide and crew members
• Tour groups vary in size and this is often one of the reasons for cost difference
• Drinks and lunch are included
• Often bottled water, or the possibility to refill your own bottle with drinking water, is available on the boat
• We snorkelled from the boat and at Bachas Beach; tours often include snorkelling equipment and some even include wetsuits
• All tours to North Seymour offer an additional visit; our trip stopped at Bachas Beach but some stop at the Mosquera Islet

It is really important to check with your tour operator about what is included in your specific tour package and the group size. This will help you decide which tour is right for you and you can plan accordingly.

Bachas Beach

Bachas Beach is a stunning white sandy beach, home to many Sally Lightfoot crabs and marine iguanas as well as pink flamingos. It’s an excellent spot for snorkelling off the beach too!

Bachas Beach is actually located on the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island. From the beach you can spot various species of birds, sunbathing marine iguanas or sea turtles swimming close to the beach.

We first walked along the beach with the guide to the lagoon to spot the flamingo; sadly it was the wrong time of year so we only saw a few. But we did go snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters and spotted lots of colourful fish and marine life, including sea turtles. Gerry also enjoyed watching the marine iguana fight the waves to make it on to their black lava rocks.

Top Tip : The coral sand is quite rough underfoot and there are rather nasty horseflies so make sure you are covered and keep a look our for this annoying creature.

Mosquera Islet

Mosquera Islet is a tiny island located between North Seymour and Baltra Island, considered one of the smallest in the archipelago.

Covered in coral sand, it is home to a large population of sea lions; if you’re lucky they’ll come and swim with you from the beach.

You may also spot shorebirds, herons, lava gulls, and boobies. Divers and snorkellers have also spotted sharks, rays, and barracudas. We spotted rays off the coast of North Seymour too.

South Plaza Island

We originally wanted to visit North Seymour Island on a tour that also included a stop at South Plaza. Sadly only one boat offered that tour and it was in dry dock when we visited the Galapagos .

South Plaza is known for its cactus and a large population of land iguanas; the smallest on the archipelago. depending on the time of year the cactus changes colour and the island can be a sea of red.

What is the Cost of the North Seymour Island Tour?

The cost of the North Seymour Island tour does vary depending on the tour package that you choose and the size of the group. There are tours starting from 250€ per person on a standard boat and others costing up to 400€ on a 5* Yacht. For this tour we settled for something in the middle and it was a great choice.

If you have the budget the better boats are worth the extra, but equally, if budget is tight, once on the islands we all get see the same animals and all tours do have the excellent guides. It’s really important to research and compare different tour options to find the best value tour to fit your requirements and budget.

I also recommend that you book a tour in advance . We were told to wait until we reached the island as you can negotiate the price and this is true but the more popular tours sell out very quickly.

If your budget is not too tight then just book in advance and pay the full price; most folks only get the chance to visit Galapagos once in their lifetime so make sure you get the tours you that want.

What Level Of Fitness Do You Need?

The North Seymour Island tour does not require a high level of fitness, but visitors should be able to walk on uneven terrain for extended periods of time. The terrain can be rocky in some areas, so it is important to wear proper footwear. It’s not a difficult walk and this trip is suitable for most people.

It is also worth noting that the climate in Galapagos can be hot, which adds to the physical exertion. Make sure to stay hydrated and wear appropriate clothing to protect from the sun.

Do bear in mind that you will be expected to hop on and off of the zodiac boats onto the beach; although crew and guides will always be on hand to help.

What Will The Weather be Like on North Seymour Island?

The Galapagos islands are located right on the equator, so temperatures stay relatively consistent throughout the year; the annual temperature of Bachas Beach ranges from a low of 24c in August to a high of 30c in March; so very little variation over a year.

However, the two main seasons in Galapagos are

• The warm/wet season runs from December to May and is characterized by hot and humid weather with occasional rain showers.
• The cool/dry season runs from June to November and is characterized by cooler temperatures, stronger winds, and less rainfall. This is also the time when the ocean currents bring in nutrient-rich waters. The cool season also brings the choppiest sea conditions which might be important if you have have concerns about sea sickness.

We visited at the end of May and we did experience a few days of poor weather which did impact on the activities that we could undertake. For this reason we recommend allowing a few spare days just in case you have to reschedule a trip.

When is the Best Time to Visit North Seymour Island?

There is no best time to visit the Galapagos Islands. They are pretty magnificent year round and you will spot wildlife year round.

However, there are times of the year where you can expect to see certain animals. For example, we observed the waved albatross on Espagnola Island , but this is only possible between April and November.

Is it Worth Visiting North Seymour Island?

Yes! North Seymour Island is the perfect must-see destination if you’re travelling independently and looking for day tours from Santa Cruz island. It’s close enough to Santa Cruz to make it one of the more affordable day tours and offers a wide range of unique and fabulous wildlife.

This was our first tour on Galapagos and we were so thrilled with the day; it far exceeded our expectations and was the perfect introduction to these incredible islands.

Whether you want to witness diverse wildlife, go snorkelling or diving, or simply enjoy the amazing landscapes, this island has something for everyone and is accessible to most visitors.

If you can only choose one tour then this is a great option!

Are You visiting the galapagos Islands?

I have a series of posts that may be of interest to you and help with your Galapagos Island planning :

• Galapagos Island Hopping : Plan Your Own Adventure
• Bartolome Island Day Tour : Volcanic Hikes And Marine Encounters
• Our Sierra Negra Volcano Hike : A Galapagos Must-Do Tour
• Our Espanola Island Day Trip : Boobies Albatrosses And Sealions

Take a Look : Fabulous Multi-Day Tour

This tour is perfect for independent travellers. We visited both of these islands and this 3-day tour offers excellent value for money!

• Includes Santa Cruz Hotel
• Visit both North Seymour and the Stunning Bartolome Island

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

Whenever you travel overseas it’s imperative to travel with a good travel and medical insurance policy.  None of us expect anything bad to happen, but in the event of an incident, you want to be sure that your insurance will be there for you.

I’ve had the mis-fortune to end up in hospital in Peru, Indonesia, Portugal and Ireland; every time my insurance took care of everything. I would never leave home without full and comprehensive insurance.

Globelink   : We have used and recommended Globelink for years and we’ve not heard of any issues. They are a great choice for European and UK Residents.

TrueTraveller  : We have this policy now for an extended global trip and we are very happy with the cover, especially considering our ages and pre-existing conditions

Safety Wing  : Many of my travelling buddies from the USA have recommended this company to me, although we’ve not used them personally.

North Seymour Island Tour 2024

During the tour to North Seymour in Galápagos you can observe a large population of frigate birds, blue footed boobies, sea lions, and land iguanas that were originally from Baltra Island. North Seymour Island has a surface of 1.9 km. It is formed by elevated submarine lava and is covered by low vegetation.

TRIP DETAILS: Hour: 08:00 am. From: Puerto Ayora → Itabaca Canal. Duration: 6 - 7 hours. Navigation: 45 minutes. Yacht capacity: 16 people. Activity: 80% Hiking and 20% Snorkeling. Includes: Full wetsuit.

Pay with a credit card.

$230 Economic boat. $290 Standard Yacht. $300 Superior Yacht. $350 First Class Yacht. $390 Luxury Yacht.

Route of tour from Santa Cruz Island to North Seymour Island. .

Travel Itinerary to North Seymour Island

Starting at 08:00 am, a guide will pick you up from your hotel or accommodation to transfer you to the Itabaca Channel. Once there you will embark on the yacht that will take you sailing for approximately 45 minutes to North Seymour Island.

Once you reach the island, the 1 hour and 30 minute walk begins. Here you can take pictures of the land iguanas that are under the bushes. Following the path you will come across male frigate birds with red chests that are easily visible, perched on bushes.

After having lunch on board the yacht, and depending on the itinerary, you will go to Mosquera Islet or "Playa Las Bachas" - The Mosquera Islet has turquoise and blue water, here you can snorkel and see sea turtles along with small baby sharks.

- In "Playa Las Bachas" there is a short walk around the lagoon where you can see the Galapagos flamingos , marine iguanas, and various birds. Snorkeling activity is also carried out. If you are a bird lover, this is the tour to choose.

The tour to North Seymour includes:

• Transfer to the meeting point. • Certified Guide (English - Spanish) • Lunch. • Snacks. • Towel. • Full wetsuit. • Snorkeling equipment.

The tour does not include:

• Sodas. • Tips.

Tours from Santa Cruz island

Tour to Bartolome island

Tour to Isabela island

Tour to Cormorant Point and Enderby Islet

Tour 180° Santa Cruz

Tour to Santa Fe island

Tour to Pinzón island

Tour to Floreana island

El Chato Reserve highland tour

Tour to South Plazas island

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Day Trip to North Seymour Island from Puerto Ayora

• Local taxes
• Snorkel Gear
• Galapagos National Naturalist guide
• Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)
• Coffee and/or Tea
• Water Refill
• Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
• All hotels located in Puerto Ayora
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Not recommended for travelers with back problems
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Vegetarian/Vegan option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
• Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
• This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
• All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.

Similar experiences

• You'll get picked up See departure details
• 1 Canal de Itabaca Stop: 15 minutes See details
• 2 Metropolitan Touring Stop: 2 hours See details
• 3 Playa las Bachas Stop: 60 minutes See details
• 4 Canal de Itabaca Stop: 15 minutes See details
• You'll return to the starting point

• larrainek308 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great Views We went on the day boat Galaxy, a great choice as all the staff were so helpful , pointing out landmarks on the way. It took two hours to reach the island and then there is a climb up to the viewpoint , fantastic views but not an easy climb. Snorkelling was good and all equipment is provided as was an excellent three course lunch a trip not to be missed Read more Written March 10, 2024
• 319rogerf 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing Day Trip to Bartolome We always wanted to go to Bartolome and this day trip did not disappoint. The pickup was at our hotel even though Hotel Cucuve (which was awesome) was not listed as a pick up destination. There were about 20 people on the boat and there was plenty of space for everyone. On the trip over we saw rays, sharks, turtles, some one saw a whale shark. Once on the island, it is a step climb to take the iconic photo so be prepared for that! After the photos we took a smaller boat to shore to swim and snorkel and on the way we saw a penguin. Swimming on the beach was just as amazing as taking the photos. One the way back we had a very nice dinner. This was a truly remarkable experience and I would take this day trip again. Read more Written September 2, 2023
• FrequentFlier204221 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Seamless short trip We could spend only two nights on Galapagos, and Byron from Galapagos a la Carte proposed a program that fit our schedule and (relaxed) goals very well and organized the whole trip seamlessly. Both guides Diego and Fernando were knowledgeable and visibly cared about the wildlife. Thank you! Read more Written August 28, 2023
• Kitt P 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great experience! The ride to Bartolomé is very long. But the boat that we were on was very comfortable. There are cold and hot drinks along the way. And there’s a lot of space for everyone to move around. We spotted a ton of animals like dolphins and sea tortoises on the way there. At the island, we had a really good guide who explained to us the geological history of the island. We took a small side tour when our guide spotted a Galapagos penguin. We got pretty up close! Snorkeling with the guide was great. He was very good at spotting animals so we were able to see sharks and tortoises! Read more Written August 11, 2023
• 373marclm 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing. Trip of a Life Time. We had Galapagos a la Carte organize a 8-9 day trip in the Galapagos. It was was amazing. We stayed in Hotels on Santa Cruz and Isabella and took day tours to many of the special spots within the Galapagos. Byron did an amazing job organizing our trip from the moment we landed to the moment we took off. Every day trip was awesome and different. Our teenage kids loved them all. Read more Written June 26, 2023
• Connector22429363522 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Flawless day, flawless experience Byron booked the Altamar for us for a private tour to Santa Fe Island - we went yesterday. It was amazing. He was amazing. But the MOST amazing thing was that Byron hung with us after we booked in 2020, canceled three straight years due to COVID, then didn’t actually go until now. He booked, rebooked, changed dates, etc. at no extra cost and still nailed it. What else can anyone ask? HIGHLY recommend. Read more Written June 11, 2023
• jacquelinesN8498NR 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Trip of a lifetime in the Galápagos! To begin, I am not someone who writes reviews often, if ever. However, when someone goes above and beyond expectations in every way imaginable, it would feel unjust not to let others know of our experience. My family of 6 just returned from our 9 day land based adventure in the Galápagos Islands and we are completely blown away by the unmatched services of Byron Rueda at Galapagos a la Carte. From the moment we arrived to the moment we were personally delivered to the airport, every single detail was planned for and taken care of. From my initial conversation with Byron, and his attention to detail about the interests of our family, he curated a vacation package that catered to the unique wants and needs of our group- down to lunch options for two members of our party with food allergies. I am someone who always does an immense amount of research for family trips and am comfortable booking hotels/tours/excursions /etc. on my own. While my planning and preparation for this trip was no different than any other, I did not realize how beneficial it would be to have someone who truly knows the ins and outs of the Galapagos islands. From the best day tours, captains, ferries and experiences, Byron walked me through the whole itinerary, always explaining important information and tips that only a local with experience would be aware of. There were several times on our trip where locals and others would comment and compliment specific aspects of our itinerary. For example, after arriving on Isabela via a ferry ride, a local resident commented that although the ride was bumpy, we were on one of the best ferries that drove that route. We heard many comments similar to this throughout the trip, which only reinforced the notion that I could not have booked all of these experiences on my own. When you book with Galapagos a la Carte you are buying peace of mind. You are also ensuring that your experience will be unforgettable due to the knowledge and expertise this company brings to the table. This was truly the trip of a lifetime and we cannot thank Byron and Galapagos a la Carte enough, for not only making this possible, but also making the entire process (both planning and while on the trip) completely seamless. Read more Written February 28, 2023
• readski60 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Beautiful experience! Beautiful unique island with crystal clear snorkelling. We even had a couple penguins swimming with us! The penguins are hit & miss tho. It's a small colony in Barolome and they could've been out fishing somewhere else. We just got lucky!! Most people go to Bartolome to climb the mountain trail.......all wooden walkway with stairs, to see the beautiful beaches and scenery below including the Iconic Rock. Postcard moment on top. The snorkelling was great because it's so clear with the rocks rather than sand. We saw some sea turtles and rays and lots of fish.........oh, and 2 or 3 penguins. It's a long day. Picked up at our hotel in Puerto Ayora at 6:30, took a bus to the channel at north of island and then hopped on boat for a long boat ride....bout 2.5 hrs there, slowing at a couple of islands to look at birds on cliffs and spotting jumping giant manta rays. Boat goes faster home...........cuz everyone's sleeping! They feed you a decent lunch and snacks on the boat. We got back to Puerto Ayora about 6 pm. You tip the boat crew when you get off and we gave some money to the bus driver and then our guide. The crew supplies flippers and fins and for $5 you can get a wet suit if desired. We went in January and most of us didn't need a wet suit. All 4 in our group were glad we went. A long boat ride but a nice boat and quite comfortable. Must nicer and more comfortable than the boats that taxi people to Isabela Island for a 2 hr thump thump thump show!! Oh.........best to prebook your tour ahead of time as it's the most popular tour out of Puerto Ayora and tours fill up fast. Costs can vary anywhere from $250 to $550. I have a connection to one local tour guide who is quite reasonable. Read more Written January 21, 2023
• mugs60 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent Travel to Galapagos with Galapagos a-la Cart We did not want to do a big cruise and so we used Galapagos a-la Cart to schedule all our tours and transfers from the islands. We were very pleased with the care, detail, and personal customer service from the beginning to the end of our trip they provided. Byron (owner) searched for the availability of all the trips offered in Santa Cruz and Isabela and got back to us in one day with excellent choices. Super helpful in booking all our transfers as well as sending someone to help us get our tickets and make sure we were on the right boat. I would highly recommend Galapagos Ala Cart to help organize land and boat tours on the islands. Overall we had a great trip thanks to Galapagos Ala Cart! Read more Written January 15, 2023
• mir19 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Must do We had a blast! Amazing trip Everyone is so nice and helpful. We got to snorkle with penguins! Seal lions were playing. The views were amazing. The top of the boat has a nice cushion and we laid out and felt on top of the world Read more Written December 2, 2022
• J7424IVeliser 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Perfect Vacation in the Galapagos Having returned from our vacation, and reflecting back on our trip, I have no words to describe how wonderful our Galapagos adventure was. We felt so welcomed and cared for the entire time. Upon our arrival we were immediately welcomed by someone from Galapagos a la Carte. We were comfortable from the start and he introduced us to the hotel staff and the main shopping area. He was so knowledgeable about the area and the flora and fauna that inhabit your beautiful islands. We felt safe kayaking with him in waters with which we were not familiar. He was a wonderful teacher. The lunch, on the beach, was a surprise to all of us. We felt so special. The food from El Muelle de Darwin was delicious. Everyone there were wonderful and gracious. Our next two adventures were equally as impressive. Our guide's knowledge of the birds on North Seymour Island and his knowledge of the waters surrounding your islands was so impressive. He made sure everyone understood the safety procedures on the boat and made sure everyone was fed and comfortable. He made sure everyone was able to see and take pictures of the animals. The vast number of blue footed boobies and frigate birds was amazing. I never would have dreamed that I would be snorkeling and see a raft of penguins swimming at me or a white tipped shark swimming under me. Galapagos a la Carte also ensured we were escorted to dinner, ensuring we had the best table by the water, were settled and understood what our dinner choices were. All of the restaurants had delicious food. We could never finish our dinner because we were still full from the lunches at the beach and on the boat. The food at all meals was plentiful and well presented. Having a cocktail at El Muelle de Darwin was a favorite pastime of my husband. The owner at El Muelle de Darwin took very good care of us. The Hotel Cucuve was so comfortable and so clean. The front desk staff knew our itinerary and made sure we were well taken care of. They even arranged for us to have an earlier breakfast on the day we had to leave early for our trip to Bartolome. The breakfasts at the hotel were incredible. Our escort to the airport, was also a big help. She led us to the desk for entry to the airport. When we experienced trouble with the internet and could not retrieve our on-line boarding passes she led us through the process of getting our boarding passes from the ticketing agent. She then stayed to make sure we got through the security line. She went above and beyond to make sure we were alright. Byron, you and Galapagos A La Carte made our vacation so special. We experienced and saw everything we could only have dreamed of before. Thank-you so much for providing us with a vacation of a life time. Read more Written July 18, 2022
• shannerama 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Seahorses and underwater penguin encounter! Excellent experience- we saw a penguin swimming by us, sea horses, large sea turtles and blue footed boobies up close. The staff were kind and offered to share underwater footage of our experiences underwater with us, and took lots of pictures for us on land as well. Read more Written June 24, 2022
• Daniel H 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Absolutely Amazing! With the help of Galapagos a la Carte, we built a tailor made 13-day Galapagos Islands package. From the first email, 10 months before our eventual departure, Byron was extremely helpful, prompt to reply, and always patient in our many email and WhatsApp conversations. He arranged our hotels, 6 tours, flights from (and to) the mainland and between the islands, as well as our transfers and more. Once our vacation began, he was always available to offer advice, answer questions and genuinely interested in how we were enjoying our time in Galapagos. He went out of his way to help us feel comforable in an unfamiliar place and truly helped make our adventure more enjoyable. He even rode in the taxi with us to the airport on our last day to hear about the trip and get our feedback in person. I will post reviews on the individual day tours separately. Galapagos a la Carte helped us create the trip of our dreams and we will never forget them and experiences we had. Read more Written June 22, 2022
• S1772 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Byron of Galapagos a la Carte is so helpful, responsive and fantastic! Byron helped us to plan two great day tours while we were still in the USA. The first was to Kicker Rock from San Cristobal. The boat and guide were very good. The second was to Bartolome from Santa Cruz, which was amazing. The large boat and knowledgeable guide were fantastic. We highly recommend Byron and Galapagos a la Carte and would use him and his agency again. He is honest and trustworthy and even came to pick us up in Santa Cruz. When shopping for tours, it is tough to know whom to trust and I was so glad we found Byron. Read more Written May 1, 2022
• TrailBlazer583005 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Above and Beyond Customer Service Byron was so helpful and went way above and beyond to help my family with an unforgettable vacation to an amazing place. He has been very responsive throughout the entire journey of planning our trip and then throughout the trip. We had a plane majorly delayed and had a chain reaction in USA that almost caused us to cancel our entire trip but Byron helped us very late at night to communicate with the last leg (airline) since we don’t speak Spanish. We ended up arriving to Galápagos -Santa Cruz 2 days later than originally planned. Without his help, at that time I doubt we could of gotten things rescheduled. He also assisted with rearranging tours since we had to arrive later than planned. All the tours were great. The guides and crews all professionals. I’ll submit some write ups on them separately. They even assisted with ferry transfers and rides. I highly recommend using this agency for a single point to plan your trip and itinerary. Throughout the trip they will answer questions through WhatsApp and make recommendations etc. Thank you for an unforgettable trip; We will be back. Read more Written March 20, 2022

More to explore in Santa Cruz

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Day Trip to North Seymour Island from Puerto Ayora provided by Galapagos a la Carte

North Seymour Island - Galapagos Travel Guide

8 cruises to north seymour island, galapagos for 2024-2025, eastern galapagos catamaran cruise, north & central islands, western & eastern islands, luxury central galapagos islands cruise, north seymour and bachas beach, northern galapagos catamaran cruise, western islands, 10 luxury cruises to north seymour island for 2024-2025, north seymour island facts and highlights.

• North Seymour Island is home to a remarkable array of wildlife, including sea lions, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and land iguanas.
• The island is particularly renowned for its birdlife, providing birdwatchers with an incredible opportunity to see rare species in their natural habitat. Marvel at the magnificent frigatebird, blue-footed boobies, and the Galapagos mockingbird, walk amongst nests, observe mating rituals, or catch a glimpse of nestlings and fledglings during hatching seasons.
• The land iguanas found in North Seymour are not native to the island. They were moved from Baltra in the early 1930s in order to provide better conditions for their survival and to get them away from the introduced goats species that were destroying the habitat on Baltra and contributing to a dangerous decline in their population. Since then the goat population  has been eradicated from protected areas.
• North Seymour Island is one of the most important breeding sites for blue-footed boobies in the Galapagos, with visitors able to observe the birds performing their famous courtship dances.
• The waters surrounding North Seymour Island are teeming with marine life, including tropical fish, sharks, rays, and sea turtles, making it a popular destination for snorkeling and diving.
• The island's rugged terrain provides visitors with an opportunity to explore its many trails, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape and wildlife.
• North Seymour was formed by uplifts of submarine lava, rather than volcanic eruptions, along with Baltra and the northeastern part of Santa Cruz, resulting in distinctive flat plateaus. See firsthand the unique geological formations that make the islands so distinctive. 

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NORTH SEYMOUR TOUR

From santa cruz, north seymour daytrip galapagos.

Duration : 8 hours

Departure time: 8am

Departure point: Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island)

Snorkeling at North Seymour : fishes, rays, sea turtles, sharks

Rest and relax at Las Bachas beach

Trekking around North Seymour Island

Birdwatching and wildlife sightseeing

Lunch is included

What you’ll se at North Seymour tour

In Galapagos you get the chance to visit inhabited islands and enjoy a unique experience where you can really relax and disconnect. North Seymour is one of the most visited inhabited islands and a great chance to live the full Galapagos Experience.

The journey begins at Puerto Ayora, where we’ll take a car and drive towards the Itabaca Channel. From this point at the nort of Santa Cruz island we’ll navigate for about 45 minutes to North Seymour. An authorized bilingual guide will be with you the whole time and tell you all about the Galapagos Islands and some fun and interesting facts. The guide will also tell you about the unique animal species you can find at Galapagos and how they adapted and survived.

On our way to North Seymour, we’ll make a quick stop in a great spot in the middle of the ocean where marine life is stunning. Wel hop off the boat and do some snorkeling to take a good look of this subacuatic place.

Trekking at North Seymour Island

When we finilly arrive to the coast of North Seymour you’ll be amazed with its paradisiac beaches. However, this is not the only wonder of this Island. In this day trip we’ll also do a walk for an hour and a half through the interior of the island to discover its unique vegetattion and the reason why North Seymour its the favorite island of all the birds in Galapagos.

North Seymour Island was born as a result of many volcanic eruptions.  This is why you’ll need comfortable sport shoes because of its irregular thick soil. You can save your flip flops for later. This exotic soil is the reason why  marine iguanas and many birds like this island, because not all the species can survive this soil so they can bassically own the whole island withouth any predators disturbing them.

The animals in Galapagos aren’t afraid of human beings. If you are a bird lover you should definetly do North Seymour Daytrip. This Island is the best place in Galapagos to do some birdwatching and enjoy a very close sighf of blue footed bobies and frigates.

Rest and relax at Las Bachas Beach

After the walk around North Seymour, we’ll take the boat again and navigate towards Las Bachas Beach where you’ll enjoy a well deserved rest in a unique beach all for you. Its thin sand an clear waters mark a perfect ending to this tour that you’ll never forget.

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TransferWise  ($15 charge)

Credit Card (7% extra charge)

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North Seymour Daytrip Route

Questions? Drop us a line!

[email protected]

Aditional information and recommendations

• Navigation may be a little shaky, so if you tend to get sick on boats we recommend to take a pill for seasickness before the tour.
• The boat is for a maximum of 16 people
• The tour includes lunch. We usually serve it at the boat after the snorkeling session.
• This tour is available all year, everyday. However this is a high demandaded tour so we recommend to book in advance, therefore you may not be lucky enough to book it.
• Bring sportive comfortable shoes.
• This is not a tour for kids under 2 years.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Bilinguial Authorized Guide

Snorkel equipment, land transportation, book north seymour tour.

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North Seymour Island Day Tour

North Seymour: An Unforgettable Adventure in the Galapagos Islands

Enjoy the view of seagulls sitting on the edges of the cliffs and admire numerous birds in their frigate nests.

North Seymour is a small island near Baltra Island in the Galapagos Islands. It was formed by the uplift of a submarine lava formation. The whole island is covered with low, bushy vegetation.

North Seymour was created by seismic uplift, rather than being of volcanic origin. The island has a flat profile with cliffs only a few meters from the shoreline, where swallowtail gulls and tropicbirds sit perched in ledges. A tiny forest of silver-grey Palo Santo trees stands just above the landing, usually without leaves, waiting for the rain to bring them into bloom. Enjoy the best snorkel in Mosquera.

The highlights:

Sea lions, land iguanas, Swallow-tailed gulls, Lava gulls, Migratory shorebirds, Marine iguanas, Great & Magnificent frigate birds, Blue-footed boobies, Brown noddy terns, Brown pelicans, Flamingos, White tip sharks, Sting rays, Sea turtles and various migratory shorebirds.

• Hotel pickup in Santa Cruz Island
• Certified naturalist English / Spanish speaking guide.
• Transportation by boat ( 16 passenger – shared tour).
• Snorkeling equipment (masks and fins).
• Guided activities.

Not Included:

What to bring & to use:

Small backpack (waterproof), Comfortable walking shoes, sneakers or rubber soles, Shorts Trousers, T-shirts, Long and Short-sleeved shirts Windbreaker, Bathing suit, Wet suit (for snorkeling between June – November), Hat or cap, Toilette kit, sunblock, sunglasses, Binoculars, Camera & camcorder

Departure from the hotel at 8:00 a.m. to the Itabaca Channel to board the yacht that will take a great Galapagos day tour from Santa Cruz to this magnificent uninhabited island.

North Seymour Island is a spectacular place to hike, swim, and enjoy snorkeling. On this island, you can see Palo Santo trees and colonies of blue-footed boobies (they perform their mating dance in the open areas of the island). Enjoy the view of seagulls sitting on the edges of the cliffs and admire numerous birds in their frigate nests. Across the island, and while the waves crash on the rocks, you will also appreciate the mischievous sea lions playing and surfing in the sea.

North Seymour is mostly flat and arid, with some vegetation including cactus, palo santo, and salt bushes. Seymour Island is best known as “Seymour Norte''. There is a circular path about 2 kilometers long that crosses the interior of the island and takes place to explore the rocky coast path. This trial will take you through some of the largest seabird colonies in the Galapagos Islands. In this path, you will have the opportunity to observe the nesting sites of Blue-Footed Booby and bright colorful frigates that are visible throughout the year.

You will be fascinated with the comical mating dance or ritual performed by blue-footed boobies. Sometimes boobies’ nests are located right on the tourist trail, so you have to be a little careful not to step on them when walking around. Most birds in Galapagos are not afraid of humans. The main attractions in North Seymour island are frigates, boobies, gulls, earwigs, green sea turtles, and the famous Galapagos sharks.

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• North Seymour

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More about  North Seymour

This small island is one of the most important fishing sites for   Marine Birds .   This place is the reason for many travellers and ornithologists to observe the spectacular and diverse amount of birds of the Galapagos.

The visit site is located next to the nesting area of   Frigate Birds ,   both   Magnificent   and   Common,   that rest on the trees along the whole year .   Witnessing the mating dance of the   Blue Footed Boobies   is also one of the highlights of the experience. There is additionally a   Palo Santo   forest that spreads on the south shore of Seymour where birds nest, and offer a spectacular view of the channel formed in between   Bartolomé   and   Seymour.

It is an unpopulated island .

Its formation is related to an uplifting of the underwater layer   that resulted in a very eroded flat rock surrounded by risks. Here, the marine base is still evident, giant rocks and shells are found everywhere.

Hundreds of sharks such as the   Tiger Shark, Galapagos Shark, Reef Shark   and others, swim by the shore of this island.  The   Upwelling Phenomenon   caused by the cold currents, enhance the marine diversity on this snorkelling and dive area.

  Animals:   frigate birds, blue footed boobies, sea lions, marine iguanas, swallow-tailed gulls, snakes, herons, hawks, sharks, rays

Plants:   Palo Santo, Opuntia

Discover seabird colonies and witness up close and personal, the most intimate courtship, breeding and nesting behaviors.

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North Seymour Island Visitors Sites

It is a fascinating place to see blue-footed boobies nesting and frigatebirds colonies.

This is perhaps one of the busiest tourists destinations on the Archipelago, right next to Baltra Island (where the airport is located) and not far from Santa Cruz.  North Seymour is a fascinating place with open nesting grounds of blue-footed Boobies and the archipelago’s largest colonies of Great and magnificent Frigate birds. You will also encounter sea lions, swallow-tailed Gulls and on a lucky day, you might even come across a Galapagos Snake.

North Seymour is a tectonic uplift. In terms of its geology, it is the result of the earth’s crust uplifting from below sea level, and this has created a potpourri of geologic formations. This phenomenon causes the island cliffs to drop dramatically into the ocean. Crustaceans, reptiles and plant species can be found here, many of which inhabit the intertidal zone (or foreshore),

The ground is at and strewn with Palo Santo or holy stick trees (a type of sandalwood noteworthy for its strong aroma) and gray saltbush, among white-splashed rocks. While walking, make sure you don’t step on any blue-footed booby nests. They won’t move, but you can. Respect their space and always follow the trail.

• Disembarking:
• Type of Terrain:
• Physical Conditions Required:
• Activities: 25 min glass-bottom boat / 45 min deep snorkeling / 1 hour 45 min hike
• Highlights: Blue-footed Boobies perform their courtship dance in the more open areas; Swallow- tailed Gulls perch on cliff edges; Great Blue Herons, Lava Herons, two species of frigate birds, and endemic snakes can also be spotted. You’ll find endemic land iguanas 3.9 ft (1.20 m) in length. Despite the tremendous surf pounding the outer shores, sea lions haul their slick bodies onto the beach and can be found together with marine iguanas. The vegetation is sparse and typical of arid zones.

Suggested Items:

The Galapagos Islands

San Cristobal

Mosquera Islet

Santa Cruz Island

South Plaza

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North Seymour Daily Tour

North Seymour is the northern part of Baltra Island (also called South Seymour) This small island is a top destination for birdwatching, as it is home to magnificent frigate birds, blue- footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and land iguanas. On the shore you will find sea lions hanging around, surrounded by sally-lightfood crabs.

#Galapagoshighlights

•Pick up around 8h00am

•Snorkeling

•Wetlanding on Bachas Beach or Mosquera

•Arrival in Puerto Ayora around 4h30 pm

In the morning, you will be picked up at your hotel and taken in a 40- minute bus ride to the Itabaca canal , where you will board a comfortable boat that is designed for day tours. After about half an hour you will arrive to North Seymour Island , where you will disembark for a guided walk around the island. Your guide will tell you about the different species and their habitats, while you can snap some amazing photos.

Afterwards, lunch will be served onboard. Then you will be taken to a beautiful sandy beach, where you have the opportunity to go snorkeling. With a little luck, you will spot colorful fish and maybe even a sea turtle.

Upon arrival back to the canal, you will be taken to your hotel in Puerto Ayora , where you have the rest of the evening at your disposal.

Included: Lunch, Snacks, towels, snorkeling equipment (Snorkeling mask and fins) and bilingual naturalist guide (Spanish/English)

Not included: volunteer tips, alcoholic beverages, wetsuits.

North Seymour Tour – Galapagos

$306 per person

• Santa Cruz Island
• North Seymour Tour

North Seymour is mainly populated by Magnificent Frigatebirds, which nest nearly year round, and blue-footed boobies that use the inland of the island as a nesting site.

Marine iguanas and sea lions are usually present on the shores and cliffs, a space shared by swallow-tailed gulls and Sally Lightfoot crabs.

Operation days

Tuesday – Wednesday – Friday – Saturday - Sunday

Departure time

Around 8:00 a.m.

7 - 8 hours

Type of service

Mondays to Fridays

HIGHLIGHTS:

• North Seymour is known for its big blue-footed booby colonies and frigates.
• You can see sea lions surfing over the waves that come near the island.
• The trail goes throughout almost the entire island, allowing the visitors to approach the animal colonies.

TOUR ITINERARY

We will leave from Puerto Ayora to the Itabaca channel by bus or a van. Once in the channel, we will board the boat for a short boat ride to North Seymour Island. This island is located at the center of the archipelago and has a relatively flat surface because of its formation by an uprising seabed, in comparison to other archipelago islands, which were formed by volcanic eruptions.

Once on the island, we will disembark to walk along the approximately two-kilometer-long trail, which goes through some of the largest frigate colonies in the archipelago. Besides the frigates, blue-footed boobies, seagulls, land iguanas, marine iguanas, and a colony of sea lions inhabit this island too. This is also one of the best places on the islands to see the frigates inflating their distinctive red featherless pouches to attract females. On this island, we will also find the endemic plant lignum vitae, a bushy tree that can remain without leaves during the entire summer but that it turns green with the first rains of the year.

After visiting Seymour, we will head to the beach known as Bachas, located in the north of Santa Cruz Island. On this visit site, we will have time to snorkel and enjoy the sea and beach. The name “Bachas” comes from the local pronunciation “barges” because the American army deserted two boats (barges) after the Second World War. Besides snorkeling, this beach is an excellent place to observe wildlife, including Flamingos, zayapas (Galapagos crabs) and many marine birds.

Activities: Walking, swimming, snorkeling (superficial diving) and wildlife observation.

Wildlife: Blue sharks, lava heron, zayapas (Galapagos crab), Galapagos Gavilan, sea lions, marine iguanas, sea turtles, rays, tropical fish, among others.

Departure Location: Hotel pick up or Meeting Point (depends on provider at the moment of booking).

Return Location: Hotel pick up or Meeting Point (depends on provider at the moment of booking).

TOUR DETAILS

What to bring:.

• Hiking & water shoes
• Bathing suit
• Water bottle

Please Note:

To participate in this tour, you must be at san Santa Cruz (Puerto Ayora) one day prior to departure.

The itinerary might change due to regulations of the Galapagos National park or weather conditions.

Please consider that in order to protect the environment of the Galapagos Islands, the Government of Ecuador has banned the use of shopping plastic bags, plastic straws and polyethylene containers in the Archipelago. Visitors to the islands are not allowed to bring these objects with them. This measure is effective as of May 2018.

We thank you for collaboration in protecting the Galapagos pristine ecosystem.

THE TOUR INCLUDES:

• English/Spanish Naturalist Guide
• Snorkeling equipment – (fins, mask and snorkel)

NOT INCLUDED:

• Gratuities (optional)
• Alcoholic beverages

High season rates apply on the following dates:

• February 22, 23, 24 and 25
• April 10, 11, 12
• June 25 until August 31
• November 01 until November 04
• From December 26 until January 6

PASSENGER´S REVIEWS

“It seems like we went to so many beautiful places and saw so many animals in just a few hours. Worth doing it, thanks Bespoke Galapagos. “– Roberta. Toronto, Canada.

RECOMMENDED TOURS IN SANTA CRUZ

HIGHLANDS OF SANTA CRUZ AND BEACH

DAY TOUR TO BARTOLOME & SULLIVAN BAY

Galapagos Islands - One Day Tours

Current Offers - Galapagos Islands - One Day Tours

Please send me more info and current offers for your Galapagos Islands - One Day Tours.

Single Day Tours in the Galapagos Islands

There’s so much to see in the Galapagos Islands, and it’s almost impossible to explore the wealth of breathtaking geologic formations, friendly island critters, and lively offshore worlds in a single trip. No worries, our Galapagos day tours have you and your adventure needs covered. 

We’ve crafted some day trip options so that you can make your Galapagos Islands Vacation even more phenomenal and tailored to your travel preferences. Snorkel with lolling sea lions or look for land iguanas. Hike to panoramic viewpoints with postcard-worthy shots. Or slip on some diving gear for a day exploring the Galapagos Islands’ most stunning, and hidden, sea-scapes. Make the most of your trip and go further, explore more, see more with our Galápagos day tours.

Note: All of our Day Tours are offered on a daily basis and as stand alone activities.  

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DIVING IN THE GALAPAGOS - DAY TOUR

The Galapagos Islands are a top diving destination.  Don't miss out on an opportunity to explore the archipelago’s underwater world where you'll find the seas teaming with incredible wildlife.

Note: Most of the diving in the Galapagos is an activity for experienced divers; however there are limited options for novice divers. Regardless of your diving ability, certification is recommended. 

Trip Info:  Guests may dive from Santa Cruz or San Cristóbal Islands, with diving trips to Gordon Rocks or Kicker Rocks. However, other diving destinations may be available.  Diving activities must be requested in advance, and guests must bring their diving certification with them to the Galapagos. Equipment provided. 

• Pricing:  $315 per person for 2 dives
• Departs:  Daily
• Duration:  8-10 hours (approx)

EXPLORE BARTOLOME ISLAND - DAY TOUR

The top of Bartolomé Island offers a stunning, panoramic view of the Galapagos Islands with views of iconic Pinnacle Rock and bordering coves. Snorkeling right off the beach allows guests to often see and get close to sea turtles, sea lions, and possibly Galapagos penguins.  This is a day trip that starts in Santa Cruz.

Trip Info :  We offer daily departures of our Bartolome Island day tour from Santa Cruz Island.    We recommend booking this popular activity in advance .  This full-day tour includes a 2-hour boat ride from Santa Cruz and includes at least several hours of snorkeling time.  For this activity, bring hiking shoes, sunscreen, a bathing suit, camera, and a hat.

• Pricing:  $315 per person 
• Departs:  Daily
• Duration:  8 hours (approx)

EXPLORE NORTH SEYMOUR ISLAND - DAY TOUR

Our day trip to North Seymour Island offers great opportunities to see tons of blue-footed boobies as well as frigatebirds, red-billed tropicbirds, swallow-tailed gulls, sea lions and Galapagos land iguanas. North Seymour is incredibly rich and varied in wildlife, so there’s plenty of incredible photo opportunities with these friendly animals. Bacchus beach is also a great snorkeling site for those who want a further glimpse into the Galapagos Islands’ underwater world.

Trip Info:   We offer daily departures of our North Seymour day tour from Santa Cruz Island.  We recommend booking this popular activity in advance . This full-day tour includes both on-land and in-water activities.  For this activity, bring hiking shoes, sunscreen, a bathing suit, camera, and a hat.

MEALS INCLUDED : Lunch

Dates & Rates

Supplementary information.

Daily tours available starting at $315 per day 

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A Day Trip to North Seymour Island – Galapagos

When I arrived in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos, a quick stroll down the main street showed me that all of the day-trips to the different islands were incredibly expensive.  While it may be a lot cheap- er to travel to the Galapagos independently rather than on a cruise, it is still certainly not cheap!   For this reason, I decided that I would only do one or two day-trips, and asked around which were the best islands for seeing the endemic wildlife.   Everybody recommended North Seymour Island , so I set about trying to find the best deal, preferably for the next day.

Of course, it was peak season in the Galapagos (mid-Dec – Feb) and almost everything was booked up until after New Year!   In the end, I had to spring for a slightly more expensive boat, but they gave me “mates rates” (it was the last place they had available) and didn’t charge me for the loan of a wetsuit, so it only turned out to be about $5 more 🙂

I was picked up from my hotel at 8am and our group bused across the island to the main dock near the airport.  There we boarded a zodiac to take us out to the AltaMar , which was anchored a little further out.

The AltaMar is one of the more luxurious boats that do these day-trips (hence why it was more expensive) and I quickly nabbed a perch on the very comfortable padded benches on the top level, with a perfect view in the direction of sail.

Oh how I love being on boats !  There is something really relaxing about it (assuming it isn’t too rough) and I can sit for hours just watching the landscape glide by.  Fortunately, I had plenty of time to do just that, as it took us about an hour to reach the landing place on North Seymour Island.

North Seymour Island

There, we were greeted by one of my favourite animals in all of the Galapagos – a Blue-footed Boobie 🙂  Interestingly, although these birds are one of the main symbols of the Galapagos, they are not endemic to the Islands.  They can also found along the Pacific Coast of the Americas from California to Peru, but it is thought that more than half of the world’s population lives in the Galapagos. 

After everyone was ashore, we headed off on our 1.5 hour “hike” (more like very easy stroll) around the set path that has been established on North Seymour Island to try to protect the habitat as much as possible.   These paths were already in existence 14 years ago when I first visited, but have become even more critical with the growing popularity of the Islands as a tourist destination (almost 225,000 people visited the Galapagos in 2015 compared with 75,000 the year of my first visit!).

Everywhere I looked, there were Frigatebirds on their nests – both Majestic and Great – and our guide explained (and then gave us pop-quizzes) about the key differences between the males (red throat-sac), females (white chest) and juveniles (white/rust face and chest, white belly).  

We were lucky enough to see the red throat-sac on a few male Frigatebirds (uninflated, given it wasn’t breeding season)

and some very fluffy-looking chicks.  Frigatebird nests are always built in bushes or trees so that they are off the ground.

We also saw Land Iguanas absolutely everywhere, and actually North Seymour Island is one of a few islands in the Galapagos where they can easily be seen in the wild.  They are much larger than the Marine Iguanas , have a rounder tail, and the males are yellow in colour. 

My first visit to the Galapagos coincided with the breeding season of the Blue-footed Boobies, and my strongest memory from that trip was that there were so many Blue-footed Boobies that you had to really watch where you were walking.  They would sit in the middle of the path and squawk at you to make sure that you stepped over/around them rather than on them.  And the males would be doing their goofy dance in all corners, trying to attract a mate.   It is this goofy dance that so endears these birds to absolutely everyone – and if you get the chance to see it – you must 🙂

Unfortunately, I wasn’t visiting during mating season this year so the boobies were pretty few and far between, and certainly, none were dancing.   Our guide was able to point out the difference between the juveniles and the adults though.  Can you spot the difference in the below?

The juveniles don’t have blue feet!  The blue colour is caused by caratenoid pigments from their food, and acquired over time through their diet .  He also explained how, in contrast to the Frigatebirds, the Blue-footed Boobies make their nests on the ground, and you can tell where a Boobie nest was by the ring of white guano surrounding a relatively clean centre.  Yes, they just poo from where they are sitting.

On the way back to the AltaMar we managed to spot a few Galapagos Sea Lions

as well as the Galapagos Brown Pelican (much smaller than an Australian Pelican) and a  Swallow-tailed Gull  with its characteristic red eye-ring.

Las Bachas Beach – Santa Cruz Island

We had lunch back on board the AltaMar as we sailed around to Las Bachas beach on Santa Cruz Island.   There, we went searching for flamingos, but unfortunately weren’t in luck on this day.

We did, however, manage to glimpse the sunken remains of the old US WWII barge for which the beach is named.  The US sank two barges here before leaving, and given that the locals were unfamiliar with the word “barge”, they called it Bachas.

We also went snorkeling here for about an hour, though I have to admit the water was pretty murky and there wasn’t much to be seen beyond some Rainbow fish and a few smaller varieties.   I also realised that I probably should have tried out my fancy snorkel mask that I bought in Europe before wearing it for the first time, and definitely should have read the instruction manual of my cheaper-than-a-Go-Pro action camera before trying to use it.  

From there it was a 40 minute cruise back to the dock and another 45 minutes in the bus to arrive back at Puerto Ayora.

Recommendation

The day-trip to North Seymour Island from Santa Cruz is one of the best for spotting wildlife.   Though try to make your trip to the Galapagos coincide with Blue-Footed Boobie mating season – it really is something extraordinary to behold!

Time : 8 hours, including bus transfers, time on the boat and time on the islands.

Cost :  I paid USD$170, but it really depends on which boat you end up on.  The cheapest price I heard was USD$160.  

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North Seymour Island Tour – Day Trip in the Galápagos Islands

One of the last experiences we took while staying in the Galápagos Islands was a North Seymour Island tour. This bird-filled island is located just north of Isla Baltra which is where the airport is. Because of its closer proximity, we were able to leave at 8am instead of 6am like our previous tour. This was much appreciated. 😃

As with many things on the Galapagos, it required a bus ride to the other side of Santa Cruz island, boarding a dinghy to be taken to the sailboat, the inevitable spotting of sharks in the shallower water, and seeing seals lounging on the buoys. We had been booked by our Airbnb host with the same company we used before, so we boarded the familiar sailboat and we were on our way.

While we were sailing to our first stop, we met our new naturalist guide. In our conversation, Isaac excitedly kept interrupting and telling her facts that he had learned about the Galapagos. She said that he was like a little nature guide, and all throughout the tour she had him explain or answer questions about the flora and fauna. It was great that she included him in the tour, and he was able to learn even more from her! 

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.

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Las Bachas Beach

Our first stop on the North Seymour Island tour took us to a very beautiful beach called Playa Las Bachas off the coast of the island of Santa Cruz. This is the island where we were staying, but this beach is on the opposite side and only accessible by boat. We walked down the beach with our guide while she pointed out different ecological facts. We learned that the majority of the sand we were walking on was actually parrotfish poop! 😳

Besides the education component, we of course looked for animals. We searched for turtles off the coastline and flamingos in the lagoons. We didn’t spot any flamingos but did see some turtles, crabs, pelicans flying overhead and the famous blue footed boobies. In addition to this, we could see tracks of where the sea turtles came up on land to lay their eggs. 

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Snorkeling on the North Seymour Tour

The next part of the adventure took us snorkeling. When we went to Bartolome previously, the snorkeling was absolutely incredible. So much so that we got the kids excited enough to give it a shot this time. ( Read about our day trip to Bartolome here. )

Unfortunately, where we snorkeled off the coast of North Seymour wasn’t ideal for children. It was choppy water. Levi lasted maybe 2 minutes. Those two minutes were incredible but it may have scared him too much to want to try again for a little while. (Please note, he was fine, but got a little panicked when the water got in his breathing tube and his mask slipped off.)

Isaac did very well snorkeling for a little while. Then, when Mike left him with me so he could go try and get Levi back in the water, something happened and he wanted to get out of the water. I am not too strong of a swimmer, so to lift him up and calm him down while swimming wasn’t going to happen. He just got out after that and so did I.

What did we learn? Don’t go snorkeling when it’s wavy and it is your kids 2nd time snorkeling ever! 🙄

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North Seymour Island – The Main Attraction

The last, and most memorable, stop was on North Seymour Island. Remember the choppy waters? Well, the coastline is rocky here. No sand to be seen. I guess it hasn’t been deemed necessary to build a dock here either. So, our boat driver times the waves to ensure the front of our dinghy elevates enough to slide on top of a relatively flat rock on the shore. He then keeps the motor going so the dinghy doesn’t rock backwards off of the perch.

In the meantime, our guide does all she can to have us not think about how precarious this position is. She grabs each person’s hand as they stumble to the front of the boat and time their jump onto the rocky shore correctly. Easy peasy.

(I’ll intentionally not share the full tale of the woman who didn’t time her jump back onto the dinghy correctly. Use your imagination. Don’t worry, she didn’t get hurt!)

Landscape of North Seymour Island

As soon as you step onto North Seymour Island, it feels as if you’ve entered a different world. It is a desert-like island with minimal vegetation except some short bushes and small barren trees. A mix of rock and sand make up the elevated terrain. The light somehow appears different on this landscape… a reddish brown that is accentuated by the non-stop screeches of the native birds. It is eerie and beautiful at the same time. It feels ancient and untouched. The landscape makes it very easy to see the birds and their nesting places. 

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North Seymour island is where the remarkable frigate birds mate and nest. Frigates are the large black birds that have inflatable red chests. The males are the only ones that have the red chests and they balloon out only when they are searching for a mate. You can see frigates on other islands flying around, but we never saw them land anywhere else. This was the only place. 

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Blue Footed Boobies

Other birds that use the island for nesting are the blue footed boobies. We learned that they get their foot color from the carotenoid pigments obtained from the fresh fish they eat. Because of this, the young birds don’t have blue feet. 

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Land Iguanas

We also were able to see the land iguanas that live on this island. They are different from the marine iguanas in many ways. One is the coloring, but also they do not like to be near each other unlike the marine iguanas which are commonly hanging out in groups and sharing body warmth. After becoming used to only seeing the marine iguanas on the ground, it was interesting to catch some of the land iguanas climbing the trees and shrubs during the North Seymour Island tour. 

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Summary of North Seymour Island

Overall the North Seymour Island tour was incredible and I would highly recommend it. It is hard to even compare it to Bartolome . How can you compare frigates to penguins, stunning landscapes you have never seen and likely will never see anywhere else? I could, but it wouldn’t feel right. I guess you will just have to go and decide how to compare them yourself! 

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Galapagos Diving day trips | North Seymour Island

Full day tour

• Description
• Inquire More
• Galapagos Diving
• Scuba Diving Galapagos

Galapagos Diving day trips – North Seymour Experience.

Our Galapagos Diving day trips to  North Seymour Experience  is oneof the best daily diving tours. This Diving Tour will take you through the most amazing diving spots in Gordon Rocks.

You will enjoy sea activities in the most remarkable landscapes. Make it the best way to explore all sides of Galapagos beauties.

Dive Tips                                        Trip Tips

*NOTE: Diving sites are fixed daily and depend on availability. Itinerary subject to change due to National Park dispositions or to circumstances beyond our control (force majeure).

INQUIRE MORE HERE

Galapagos Diving day trips | North Seymour Experience

The North Seymour topography consists of gradual steps off the island shoreline declining 8 meters to a beautiful rock reef, before reaching the sandy bottom at 16- 18 meters.

Diving at Seymour provides the opportunity to swim with many white and black tip reef sharks, as well as being a favourite resting place for large numbers of green sea turtles. Though Seymour does not have the notoriety for hammer head sharks, it is still possible to see small schools at both Seymour sites, swimming through the channel and around the point through the current.

Large schools of barracuda, snapper and other reef fish are also in abundance, and the rock reef is an excellent place to search for the well camouflaged octopi. A personal favourite however, are the schools of spotted eagle rays that glide through the channel along the sand, occasionally joined by devil and manta rays.

  Location: North of Santa Cruz Island, 2 dive sites located 30 minutes from Itabaca Channel (North side of Santa Cruz Island).

Site Conditions: For all levels of divers, although sometimes there can be strong currents. Platform reefs with a diversity of species.

Activity: Cleaning station, sea lions, and many kinds of sharks including Galapagos, white tip reef and hammerhead, mobula rays (small mantas), turtles, reef fishes, sting rays, eagle rays, Galapagos eel, barracudas, variety of invertebrates.

Dive difficulty: Seymour is a good place for beginners and experienced divers alike. Though the currents can be moderate to strong on occasion, it is on the whole suitable for people with limited experience. Drift dive.

Duration: Full day tour.

IMPORTANT REMARKS

Airfare Not Included:

The price of the tour does not include air tickets. We can help with your booking. You may also book flights on your own – please note on what island you will need to arrive and leave from.

Try to arrive in the morning (before 12am) and leaving in the afternoon (11AM or later) – don’t miss any part of the tour. You can book your flight through TAME, AEROGAL, LAN.

Schedule of Excursions:

The schedule of the excursions will be coordinated and determined locally through the guide and those responsible for the operations in Galapagos.

The guide will indicate at what time each activity will start. The transfers between islands on the public speedboats are the only activities with fixed departure times.

Please be aware that the prices vary consistently due to promotions, so in order to GET THE BEST PRICE for the dates you desire please fill out the request form below. After doing so, we will send you the absolute best prices for the dates that you indicate.

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Already planning to see the next solar eclipse in 2026? What travelers need to know.

Umbraphiles feeling the post-eclipse blues should start checking the expiration date on their passports.

The next total solar eclipse is set to happen on Aug. 12, 2026, over Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia and a small part of Portugal, according to NASA . 

In North America, only a partial eclipse will be visible, so if April’s event made you an eclipse chaser and you want to see totality, you’ll need to head overseas.

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

Here’s what you’ll need to know before packing your bags:

Do you need a passport or visa for the best destination?

The path of totality for the 2026 eclipse mostly goes through places Americans can travel visa-free with their passport, so long as they’re planning to stay for less than 90 days.

Spain, Portugal, Iceland and Greenland all allow visa-free tourist travel for U.S. passport holders.

Spain, Portugal and Iceland are also members of the Schengen Area, which allows for visa-free travel in much of Europe, meaning if you decide to make a multi-country trip out of your eclipse adventure, you won’t need to clear customs if you’re coming from much of the rest of Europe, either.

One major change for travelers to Europe from the U.S., however, is that electronic preauthorization will become a requirement beginning in mid-2025. The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) requirement will apply to all four open countries in the path of totality. 

Depending on the state of the Ukraine war, travel to Russia may or may not be an option for most Americans by 2026, so it’s unclear what the paperwork requirements will be by then.

Is it better to see it from the beach?

Beaches can be a great place to see the eclipse because there are few natural obstacles blocking observers’ views of the sky. The 2026 path of totality passes over beaches on Spain’s northern and southeastern coasts, as well as over islands in the Mediterranean Sea including Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza. The eclipse will also pass over coastal areas in Greenland and Iceland, according to the National Solar Observatory . 

Cruising Altitude: What it was like to see the eclipse from a plane

Will there be eclipse cruises or flights?

Almost certainly, although most operators have not announced specific plans yet. 

Cruise lines will also offer more viewing opportunities. Princess Cruises “has created a bespoke itinerary aboard Sky Princess to position the ship near Spain on that date,” according to a spokesperson for the line. The cruise will open for bookings on Princess’s website on May 23.

Cunard Line has sailings on its Queen Mary 2 , Queen Victoria and Queen Anne vessels that will put passengers in prime spots to watch .

'The ship can move': Why you should watch next solar eclipses from a cruise ship

Holland America Line is also planning multiple sailings around the event, though details are still to be announced. “Guests have reacted positively to our 2024 eclipse cruises and with the next full eclipse in 2026 we plan to have three sailings in Europe that will align with the path of the eclipse,” Paul Grigsby, the line's vice president of Deployment & Itinerary Planning, previously told USA TODAY in an email.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Already planning to see the next solar eclipse in 2026? What travelers need to know.