North Seymour & South Plaza

One of the Best Birdwatching Experiences in the Galápagos

Your day begins in Puerto Ayora, where you’ll meet your guide and travel across the lush highlands of Santa Cruz toward the Itabaca Channel. Along the way, the landscape transforms dramatically—from green scalesia forests and farmland to the arid coastal environments that characterize much of the Galápagos.

Upon arrival at the channel, you’ll board the excursion yacht and begin with a scenic navigation across the open ocean toward North Seymour Island, a destination widely regarded as one of the finest birdwatching sites in the Galápagos. As the island appears on the horizon, anticipation builds for an experience that places you directly inside one of the archipelago’s most active seabird breeding colonies.

Upon landing, follow a trail through a landscape where wildlife is everywhere. Blue-footed Boobies perform their famous courtship dances only a few meters away, while Magnificent and Great Frigatebirds soar overhead and males inflate their striking red gular pouches during breeding season. The island’s open terrain and sparse vegetation provide exceptional visibility, creating outstanding opportunities for wildlife observation and photography.

Beyond its remarkable birdlife, North Seymour is also home to Galápagos Land Iguanas and sea lions that can often be seen resting near the shoreline. Every section of the trail offers a new wildlife encounter, making this one of the most rewarding walks in the Galápagos for nature lovers and bird enthusiasts alike.