Top things to do & see at North Seymour Island
When it comes to wildlife encounters, North Seymour Island cruises are the most romantic. No matter when you visit, you are certain to see birds at some stage of courtship or chick rearing, from blue-footed boobies exchanging gifts to magnificent frigatebirds expanding their scarlet throat pouches as they watch over their little ones.
Arriving from nearby Santa Cruz Island, small ship cruises must often slow or stop to allow for a passing marine iguana or sea lion. A nature trail winds its way through the rocky terrain of North Seymour Island and to the magnificent frigatebird nesting colony. Depending on the time of year, you may witness the magnificent frigatebirds’ electrifying mating rituals.
With their dark color and five-foot wingspan, magnificent frigatebirds make for a thrilling site as they whirl through the air and dive bomb blue-footed boobies, hoping to make the smaller birds drop their hard-earned food.
North Seymour Island is a prime site for nesting blue-footed boobies. The birds can be seen interacting with their young all along the nature trail. In fact, look out for “boobie traps” while trekking the North Seymour Island trail; blue-footed boobies have been known to build their nests in the middle of the trail, allowing you to get up close and personal.
A brief detour from the trail takes you to a small lagoon populated by wading flamingo's. Turn your eyes to the sea and you might spot sea lions enjoying their favorite adventure activities, leaping from the rocks and surfing the waves into shore.
Top Tips for North Seymour Island
- Bring a good camera to record your North Seymour Island wildlife encounters.
- North Seymour cruise itineraries include a fair amount of hiking over rocky terrain, so make sure to bring a pair of good hiking shoes.
- Bring a hat and plenty of sunscreen. Given North Seymour Island’s flat profile and lack of trees, adventure activities on the island are done in the sun, with little to no shaded areas.
Best time to cruise North Seymour Island
Plan ahead, as the types of North Seymour wildlife encounters you hope to experience will dictate the best time to visit North Seymour Island for you.
While magnificent frigatebirds nest year-round on North Seymour Island, other wildlife encounters are seasonal.
North Seymour in January to April is exceptionally warm and sunny, so a hat and sunblock are a must. This is also the best time to see wildlife such as nesting marine and land iguanas.
North Seymour in June to December is the best time to view nesting blue-footed boobies.
North Seymour in August to December is fur sea lion breeding season, though they are rare on the island.
Where do North Seymour Island cruises depart from?
Most Galapagos small ship cruises to North Seymour Island will depart from San Cristobal Island, from Puerto Ayora, on Santa Cruz Island, or from Baltra.
These locations can be reached via flights from mainland Ecuador, either from Quito or Guayaquil. Adventure cruises leaving from Baltra or from Puerto Ayora are serviced by the Baltra airport, while visitors who have chosen cruises leaving from San Cristobal Island will fly into San Cristobal airport, near the port town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.
Contact our reservations team today to arrange your next Galapagos Small Ship cruise.
