Galapagos - North Seymour Island Wildlife Snorkeling Tour + Lunch
Description
Explore the rugged Black Rock Trails and snorkel off the coast of North Seymour Island on this guided full-day tour from Puerto Ayora. If you're heading to the Galapagos to experience wildlife up close and enjoy snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, this adventure is perfect for you. North Seymour Island is teeming with life—get up close to sea lions, land iguanas, nesting blue-footed boobies, seagulls, and the iconic frigatebirds. This tour offers incredible photo opportunities and unforgettable encounters with native wildlife. Your full-day excursion includes round-trip transportation from Puerto Ayora, lunch, snorkeling gear, a knowledgeable local guide, and a visit to either Bachas Beach or Mosquera Islet.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your guide will meet you at 7:00 a.m. at your hotel on Santa Cruz Island. From there, you’ll hop on a minibus that will take you to the Itabaca Channel. During the ride, the guide will provide important instructions and details to get you ready. And just like that, the adventure begins!
About 45 minutes later, you’ll reach the Itabaca Channel. You’ll get off the minibus and hop onto the boat that will take you to North Seymour Island. While on the boat, you’ll try on the snorkeling gear you’ll be using later. Once you arrive at Seymour, you’ll step onto the slippery black basalt rocks that are typical of this area. The guide will provide safety tips on how to explore the island. Make sure to wear closed-toe shoes.
Head to the northern part of the island! With your guide by your side, you’ll take a short walk along a clearly marked path, surrounded by lava gulls, sea lions, brown terns, pelicans, and various tropical birds. After the walk, you’ll return to the boat to relax and enjoy the lunch included in the tour. Once you’re re-energized and satisfied, the highlight of the day awaits: snorkeling at North Seymour Island. Depending on the permit issued by the Galapagos National Park for that day, your journey will then continue either to Bachas Beach on Santa Cruz Island or to Mosquera Islet. In either case, your snorkeling gear will be ready so you can jump right into the water and start exploring.
When you arrive, you’ll take a brief walk to a lagoon where, if you’re lucky, you might spot pink flamingos waiting for you. At this amazing spot, you can snorkel or, if you prefer, simply relax and take in the beautiful white sandy beach and black volcanic rocks typical of the Galapagos Islands.
When you arrive, you’ll also enjoy a brief walk along the beach where, if you’re lucky, sea lions might be waiting to greet you. Your guide will lead you to the best snorkeling spot on the islet. If you’d rather, you can just relax and lounge on the beach instead of snorkeling.
You’ll board the boat again and start your return trip to the Itabaca Channel. A light fruity snack will be served on board. Once you arrive at the Itabaca Channel, the minibus will be ready to take you back to Puerto Ayora. From there, you’ll catch your transport back to your accommodation on Santa Cruz Island, concluding the North Seymour Island Day Tour.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
From your hotel on Santa Cruz Island between 7:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- No previous experience is required to do the snorkeling activity but it is essential to know how to swim to be able to do the tour. // The water temperature in the area where the snorkeling will take place allows the activity to be done without a wetsuit all year round.
Reviews(2)
The boat was great and our guide Lucho was amazing. The first stop on the island was a very nicely paced walk around to see the birds and iguanas. We saw yellow iguanas and marine iguanas. Sea lions we saw frigates. In particular the red throated frigate (make) in all its glory trying to attract a female. We saw baby frigates still in their nests. We saw the blue footed boobie as well. We then were back in the boat for a morning snack of fruit and onto the snorkeling tour for about an hour which was optional. After snorkeling we were served a very nice lunch of swordfish then on to our last event which was Las Bacchus beach for swimming and hopefully to see the flamingos, which unfortunately we did not.
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re delighted to hear that you had a perfect day exploring North Seymour Island. It’s wonderful that you enjoyed the wildlife walk and had the opportunity to see so many iconic Galápagos species, including marine and land iguanas, frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, and sea lions. The sight of a male frigatebird displaying its red throat pouch is always unforgettable! We’re especially pleased to know that Lucho’s guidance, the snorkeling experience, the onboard service, and the lunch all contributed to a memorable excursion. While it’s unfortunate that the flamingos didn’t make an appearance at Las Bachas Beach, nature always has its own schedule, and every visit to the Galápagos is unique. Thank you for choosing Howlanders. We hope to welcome you on another adventure very soon! Best regards, Howlanders Team
Great birding in a small secluded island that is gorgeous! The beach at the end of the tour was gorgeous and loaded with sea lions. The snorkeling was fine in between though that is not the focus of this trip. We saw sharks and starfish as well as other tropical fish.
Thank you for your great review! 😊 We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the North Seymour Island Day Tour and that the birdlife and scenery made such an impression. It’s wonderful to know you loved the secluded island, the beautiful beach, and seeing so many sea lions at the end of the tour. Thanks for sharing your experience, and we hope to welcome you again on another Galapagos adventure with Howlanders!
