North Seymour Island (Spanish: Isla Seymour Norte) is a small island near Baltra Island in the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador. It was formed by uplift of a submarine lava formation and is now covered with low, bushy vegetation. It has an area of 1.9 km2 (0.73 sq mi) and a maximum elevation of 28 meters (92 ft). There is no permanent population but a visitor trail has been established approximately 2 km (1.2 mi) in length for guided tours crossing the interior of the island and exploring the rocky coast.
North Seymour is an islet near Baltra in Ecuador's Galápagos Islands. It was formed by seismic uplift of a submarine lava formation rather than directly created by volcanism. The island has a flat profile with cliffs only a few meters from the shoreline.
All of North Seymour is covered with low, bushy vegetation. A tiny forest of silver-grey Palo Santo trees stand just above the landing, usually without leaves, waiting for rain to bring them into bloom.
North Seymour is home to a large population of blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. Flocks of pelicans and swallow-tailed gulls feed off shore, and seasonally, Nazca boobies can also be seen. Boobies are excellent hunters and fish in flocks. Pairs of blue-footed boobies can be seen conducting their mating ritual as they offer each other gifts, whistle and honk, stretch their necks towards the sky, spread their wings, and dance—showing off their bright blue feet. Swallowtail gulls and tropicbirds perch in ledges along the coastal ridge, and the island hosts one of the largest populations of magnificent frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens), which perch in low bushes near the boobies while watching over their large chicks. The frigates are huge dark birds with a 90-inch (2.3 m) wingspan. Male frigates can puff up their scarlet throat sacks to resemble giant red balloons. The frigates frequently act as pirates, dive bombing flocks of boobies to force them to drop their prey, swooping down to eat the captured fish before they hit the water.
Visitors must sometimes give way to passing sea lions and marine iguanas. There is a slowly growing population of Galápagos land iguanas (Conolophus subcristatus). The stock for the captive breeding program of the Galápagos land iguana is descended from iguanas which Captain G. Allan Hancock moved from nearby Baltra Island in the 1930s. This helped preserve the species when Baltra became the site of an American airbase during World War II. The population swelled to over 5,000 by the 21st century, beginning to reach the limits of the island's food availability. The Directorate of the Galápagos National Park and Island Conservation took 1,436 of the iguanas from the North Seymour population to Santiago Island on 4 January 2019, restoring them to Santiago after a 180-year absence in an effort to restore that island's ecological health and to provide the both groups of iguanas more resources to thrive. Darwin had noted Santiago's iguanas in 1835, but they were last found there by Abel-Nicolas Bergasse du Petit-Thouars in 1838.
You will then arrive at the white sandy beach of Las Bachas, this is an important nesting site for Galápagos green sea turtles. You will see marine iguanas feeding on the rocks near the turquoise waters. Continuing your walk to the lagoon behind the beach, you will find Galápagos flamingos and migratory birds. You will then return to Las Bachas beach and don your mask and snorkel to enjoy a snorkelling activity. This beach is the perfect place to swim and observe underwater fauna up close since it. is sheltered from the ocean swell.
At lunchtime, a packed lunch, consisting of a typical Ecuadorian meal, will be served. At the end of your tour, you will be taken back to the departure point.
Activity level: Moderate
Tour style: Hiking & Snorkeling
Pick up: 7:00 am - drop off : 17:00 approx
Duration: 7:30 am - 17:00 pm aprox.
07h00: Meeting point in Puerto Ayora, Main Church at the Ocean Front
8h00: Embark to the Boat and cruising
10h00: Main Hike
Lunch
13h30: Snorkeling
15h30: (aprox) Back in Puerto Ayora
We recommend to bring a small backpack (waterproof), comfortable walking shoes, sneakers or rubber soles, shorts trousers, t-shirts, long and shorts leeved shirts, windbreaker, bathing suit, snorkel equipment hat or cap, sun block, sunglasses, binoculars & camera.
*** IMPORTANT ***
WET SUITS available for rent on board.
08:10 PICK UP 09:00 EMBARQUE EN LANCHA VIKIN