With only 1,8 km2 The Galapagos Island of North Seymour appears insignificant, but first impressions are deceptive. Many Galapagos-typical animal species live here in a small space, making the island a true insider tip. The clumsy blue-footed boobies perform their mating dance, and the large breeding colony of frigate birds augurs well for their impressive red throat pouches. The round, googly eyes of young sea lions and yellow Galapagos land iguanas complete the exotic flair. In the dry season, the intense red of the sesuvia conjures up a wonderful color contrast. Pure Galapagos feeling.
Galapagos Island North Seymour Wild Life
Frigate bird during courtshipNursing sea lionBlue-footed booby courtingIguana on North Seymour Galapagos National Park UNESCO World Natural Heritage
Galapagos land iguanas are actually not part of the island's original fauna. However, when the population on the neighboring island of Baltra was on the verge of extinction, seventy of these lizards were brought to North Seymour in 1931 and 1932. There the reptiles reproduced undisturbed. In 1991 Baltra could then be repopulated with the help of these offspring.
North Seymour Island Galapagos National Park UNESCO World Natural Heritage
Funny blue-footed boobies, cute seals, scaly lizards and frigate birds with flashy, red throat pouches. The Galapagos Island of North Seymour has it all. Great things can be experienced here on a small tour of the island. And there are also many surprises waiting under water.
California Angelfish North Seymour Diving in the Galapagos IslandsGuinea fowl puffer fish - Arothron meleagris - North Seymour diving in the GalapagosSpotted Eagle Rays North Seymour Galapagos Islands UNESCO World Natural Heritage SiteSchool of surgeonfish fish North Seymour Galapagos National ParkSmooth Flutefish – Fistularia commersonii – North Seymour Snorkeling Galapagos Islands Yellowtail Surgeonfish North Seymour Snorkel In Galapagos National ParkWhitetip Reef Shark North Seymour Snorkeling with Sharks in the Galapagos Islands Ecuador
Fascinated, I freeze in the middle of the movement when suddenly a giant eagle ray floats into my field of vision. Everything around me loses its meaning and for some wonderful moments my world revolves around this big, winged fish. Silently, weightlessly and undeterred, it passes me directly ... A second follows and my luck doubles. Impressive, charismatic and incredibly close.
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Ecuador • Galapagos • Galapagos trip • North Seymour Island
Travel and Visitor Information Galapagos Island North Seymour
How can I reach North Seymour?
North Seymour is an uninhabited island. It can only be visited in the company of an official nature guide. This is possible with a cruise as well as on guided excursions. A shuttle bus takes day visitors from Puerto Ayora to the north side of Santa Cruz. There the excursion boat starts at the Itabaca Canal and reaches North Seymour after about an hour.
What can I do on North Seymour?
The main attraction is the approx. 1 km long circular route across the island. The nature guide explains different animal species and gives visitors time to be amazed and take photos. The beaten path leads from the jetty on the cliffs into the interior and over a short stretch of beach back to the boat. Day trips also include snorkeling and often a stop on the small sandy island of Mosquera.
What animal sightings are likely?
Blue-footed boobies and frigate birds nest on North Seymour, which is why they are seen regularly. Sometimes you can see other sea birds, like the fork-tailed gull. In 2014 the Galapagos National Park counted around 2500 land iguanas. So the chances are very good that you will also be near the visitor path. Marine iguanas, on the other hand, can only rarely be observed. A sea lion colony lives on the beach and the snorkeling tour promises beautiful schools of fish and, with a little luck, sea lions, rays, white tip reef sharks and sea turtles.
How can I book a tour to North Seymour?
North Seymour is featured on many cruises because the island is not too far from where ships anchor. If you are traveling to the Galapagos individually, it is easiest to inquire with your accommodation in advance. Some hotels book excursions directly, others give you the contact details of a local agency. Of course, there are also online providers, but booking via direct contact is usually more useful. Outside the high season, last minute places are sometimes available in the port of Santa Cruz.
Galapagos Island North Seymour – a wonderful place!
5 reasons to visit North Seymour
Blue footed booby wedding dance Courtship of the frigate birds Galapagos land iguanas large sea lion colony often including the island of Mosquera
North Seymour Island
Namur
Spanish: Seymour Norte English: North Seymour
Size
1,8 km2
Age
estimated according to the neighboring island of Baltra: approx. 700.000 years to 1,5 million years (first appearance above sea level)
Uninhabited island visit only with official guide of the national park
Ecuador • Galapagos • Galapagos trip • North Seymour Island
Where is North Seymour Island located?
North Seymour is part of the Galapagos National Park. The Galapagos Archipelago is a two-hour flight from mainland Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. The island of North Seymour is located quite centrally in the archipelago, north of the island of Baltra. The small island of Puerto Ayora on the island of Santa Cruz is approached. The boat trip takes about an hour.
How is the weather in Galapagos?
Temperatures are between 20 and 30 ° C all year round. December to June is the hot season and July to November is the warm season. The rainy season lasts from January to May, the rest of the year is dry season. During the rainy season, the water temperature is highest at around 26 ° C. In the dry season it drops to 22 ° C.
Ecuador • Galapagos • Galapagos trip • North Seymour Island
The Blue-footed Booby – A true story!
The Dance of the Blue-footed Boobies
North Seymour Island, a wild, untouched piece of land in the middle of the Pacific, is the stage for an ancient ritual: the wedding dance of the blue-footed boobies. Between jagged rocks and salt-soaked bushes, a spectacle takes place, as gentle as the whisper of the wind, as powerful as the tides of the sea.
A Dance of Hope and Devotion
The male raises his feet, slowly, almost hesitantly, into the light of the tropical sun. A sky-blue promise that betrays the purity of his intentions. The rhythm is gentle, deliberate - a dance of patience, a dance of hope.
The female observes, doubtful, examining. Will he be worthy of her? The wings slightly spread, the movements fluid, a silent conversation between two souls that has remained unchanged for centuries.
The moment of decision
Then, a nod, an approach. The female returns his steps, shares his rhythm. They circle together, a silent agreement, a fusion of instinct and affection. The ocean roars in the background, as if it were sealing their happiness.
A Covenant for Eternity
And so their life together begins, carried by trust and the tireless cycle of nature. Their blue feet leave traces on the hot sand - fleeting but imperishable.
North Seymour, an island of wildness and love, a place where every being dances its own dance, searching for a heart that beats the same rhythm.
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Sources: Galapagos Island North Seymour Wild Life
Source reference for text research
Information on site, as well as personal experiences when visiting the Galapagos National Park in February / March and July / August 2021. Bill White & Bree Burdick, edited by Hooft-Toomey Emilie & Douglas R. Toomey for a project of the Charles Darwin Research Station, topographical data compiled by William Chadwick, Oregon State University (undated), Geomorphology. Age of the Galapagos Islands. [online] Retrieved on July 04.07.2021th, XNUMX, from URL:https://pages.uoregon.edu/drt/Research/Volcanic%20Galapagos/presentation.view@_id=9889959127044&_page=1&_part=3&.html
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