North Seymour Island, Galapagos: Everything You Need to Know
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May 16, 2018North Seymour: At a glance
- Uninhabited by humans
- 1.9 squared km / 0.73 squared miles
- Sat just north of Baltra Island (the airport island that serves Santa Cruz)
- From Galapagos Safari Camp, it can be easily accessed by boat (40 mins)
- The island resulted from a landmass that rose up from the sea due to tectonic uplifting
North Seymour Safari highlights
- Animals to look out for: Frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, marine iguanas, land iguanas, sea lions
Why should you include North Seymour on your Galapagos Safari Tour?
1. Easy to access
North Seymour is a tiny islet just north of the Galapagos’ Islands airport on Baltra Island. It is one of the closest islands to Santa Cruz (where Galapagos Safari Camp is located) and is easy to reach by boat. The boat ride takes approximately 40 minutes.
2. Birds galore
What makes North Seymour special is its populations of birds. Thousands of birds live here. Out of all the islands, and there are some pretty islands out there, with lush trees and beautiful turquoise beaches, many a seabird has decided that this particular rocky islet is ideal, a true place to call home.
North Seymour is particularly famous for its gallant Frigatebirds. Observed from afar from a yacht, the shape of their wings can seem slightly ominous. But on land, during mating season, these black-feathered birds become some of the most awe-inspiring visions, the courting male inflates his guttural pouch into an enormous scarlet-red balloon.
The island is also renowned for its colonies of blue-footed boobies, who, despite looking somewhat gormless are in fact some of nature’s most impressive divers. And dancers. Mating pairs perform wonderfully intricate courtship dances here, hooting, honking, whistling, shuffling, ‘sky-pointing’ and basically showing off their skills, health and desirability to each other.
3. Land Iguanas
Being a relatively small island, your chances of seeing a Land Iguana on North Seymour are generally quite good. These prehistoric looking reptiles are usually found within the dry interior of the island, basking in the sun or grazing on cacti.
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4. Sea Lions
The final stretch on the island’s circuit trail runs alongside the stoney beach of North Seymour. Here you may well encounter a sea lion or two snoozing on rocks or feeding their young.
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5) A snorkel off Bachas beach
Our Safaris to North Seymour Island are often combined with a trip to Bachas beach. Although this beach is located on nearby Santa Cruz Island, it can only be accessed by boat. Visitors are taken for a guided tour along the beach and also to the brackish lagoon that sits behind the beach where flamingoes are often spotted. Guests are also invited to snorkel in the clear waters of this bay.
Plan your Galapagos Vacation
See our Safari Holidays for our suggested Galapagos itineraries and recommended activities.
Disclaimer: As with any wildlife holiday experience, we cannot guarantee that you will see each of the species mentioned in this article. Instead, please view this information as a guide, based on the first-hand experience of our expert naturalists and guests at Galapagos Safari Camp.
