Mosquera Islet & North Seymour Island
Uncover the coral-kissed shores of Mosquera Islet, where you can plunge into the turquoise waters for a snorkeling escapade with playful sea lions. Later, embark on a trek across North Seymour Island, a stage for the comical blue-footed boobies, majestic frigate birds, and ancient-looking
Tour Overview
Operation Day: Every Friday
Meeting Point: At the entrance of the church in Puerto Ayora, close to the pier and next to the "El Descanso del Guía " restaurant
Departure time: 08h30
Spot of arrival: Puerto Ayora's pier
Return time: Around 16h00
Mosquera Islet
We will board the bus to the Itabaca Channel in the morning for the visit to Mosquera islet. This is a pretty beach with coral sand. This is also the habitat of sizable colonies of Galapagos sea lions, some swallow-tailed gulls, and the spectacle of marine iguanas at swimming or feeding under the water while snorkeling. What an ideal way to start the visit this day!
North Seymour
After a tasty lunch on the Galaxy Daily, we will continue toward North Seymour Island. This island, North Seymour, is home to very large colonies of blue-footed boobies and frigate birds, who are known as the pirates of Galapagos.
After we arrive in North Seymour, we will experience a dry landing. We will begin a walk of a 2.5 km (1.55 miles) trail and we could either go clockwise along the coast or we can go inland first to visit the colony of boobies.
During the tour, we will visit the nesting sites of the largest groups of breeding colonies in the islands, then it will click why Seymour is famous for the wildlife found in and around it.
Be prepared to see land iguanas and marine iguanas; also, a group of sea lions, lava lizards and pelicans!
As we move along the path, we will see many trees where the male and female frigates nest. As we proceed on the trail, the terrain will be rocky. In there will be an opportunity to appreciate the nesting area of the amazing blue-footed boobies, which is amazing due to the courtship dance they partake in, and may dance for what seems like hours until they finally get female attention to nest together.
Did you know that these boobies don’t actually build a nest? There is an area they nest, and a ring of white guano marks the nesting site.
We will also see some endemic flora species while walking around the North Seymour, if you love plants, you will see Opuntia, Croton, Castela, and Sesuvium cacti.
Tour Highlights
- Relax on Mosquera Islet’s coral beach and snorkel with marine life.
- Hike North Seymour to see nesting blue-footed boobies and frigate birds.
- Spot land and marine iguanas, lava lizards, and pelicans.
