North Seymour Island, Galápagos

The little island teeming with life

What you need to know about North Seymour Island, Galápagos

North Seymour is a small island off the coast of Baltra in the Galápagos. North Seymour was not formed as the result of a volcanic eruption, but by a seismic uplift of the sea bed, and is only 90ft above sea level at its highest point. It was originally named after an English aristocrat.

The whole island is renowned as teeming with life, with many iconic Galápagos species resident here including the largest nesting colony of Blue-Footed Boobies. The 1 mile long visitor trail across the island is one of the most popular for wildlife lovers and photographers to take. Other prominent species include land iguanas, marine iguanas, Galápagos sea lions, frigatebirds and pelicans - to name just a few!

Interesting facts about North Seymour

Land iguanas aren't native to North Seymour, they were introduced as part of a preservation program

North Seymour has an area of only 0.7sq miles

Marine iguanas on North Seymour have been seen eating land plants - highly unusual behaviour

There are no rats on North Seymour, but there is a risk they might cross the channel from Baltra

Pictures of North Seymour

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Highlights in North Seymour

North Seymour

The island is named after an English nobleman, Lord Hugh Seymour and has an area of 1.9 square kilometers and a maximum altitude of 28 meters. This island is home to a large population of blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls and hosts one of the largest populations of frigatebirds. North Seymour has a visitor trail approximately 1.2 mi in length crossing the inland of the island and exploring the rocky coast.

North Seymour was formed at the same time as neighboring Baltra Island, and by the same process - an uplifting of undersea lava. This small, flat island has hiking trails throughout, allowing you to explore the arid landscape and to meet the seabirds that call North Seymour home.

North Seymour was the site of one of the earliest conservation experiments in the Galápagos. In 1934 a group of Galápagos Land Iguanas were moved there by Captain Hanckock. They have since thrivedthrived, and there are now well over 2,500 of them on the island and more than 3,000 on the neighbouring Baltra island.

The biggest attraction of North Seymour is its large colony of Blue-Footed Boobies and its Frigatebirds. These popular Galápagos species are often found together because the Frigatebirds rely on the Boobies’ fishing prowess. The Frigatebirds actively steal the Boobies catch to feed themselves!

There is also a population of Marine Iguanas and Galápagos Sea Lions are frequently spotted. The snorkeling here is also very good, with plenty of marine life to see including rays and reef sharks.