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The Galápagos Islands
Ecuador
Ecuador
Northern Galápagos
Why visit the Northern Galápagos
The Northern Galápagos is home to some of the archipelago’s most celebrated wildlife encounters and unforgettable landscapes. This is where immense seabird colonies gather on remote volcanic islands, where frigatebirds fill the skies above nesting cliffs and where Pinnacle Rock rises dramatically from crystal-clear seas. For bird lovers in particular, there is nowhere quite like it.
Genovesa, often known as Bird Island, is one of the Galápagos’ greatest wildlife spectacles. Thousands of red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, frigatebirds and storm petrels nest across its volcanic slopes, while elusive short-eared owls patrol the lava fields in search of prey. Nearby, North Seymour offers some of the archipelago’s finest opportunities to witness the remarkable courtship displays of blue-footed boobies and magnificent frigatebirds.
The landscapes are equally memorable. Bartolomé’s volcanic summit delivers one of the defining views of the Galápagos, while Chinese Hat’s lava formations reveal how recently these islands were created.
Whether viewed from the deck of an expedition yacht or explored on foot with an expert naturalist guide, the Northern Galápagos delivers many of the iconic images that define this extraordinary archipelago.
Highlights of the Northern Galápagos Islands
- Visit the Galápagos’ greatest seabird sanctuary – Genovesa Island supports one of the world’s largest breeding colonies of red-footed boobies, alongside frigatebirds, storm petrels and Nazca boobies.
- Climb to the famous Pinnacle Rock viewpoint – Bartolomé’s summit rewards a short climb with the most recognisable panorama in the Galápagos, overlooking volcanic cones, turquoise bays and Pinnacle Rock.
- Witness unforgettable courtship displays – North Seymour is one of the best places to watch blue-footed boobies performing their famous dance while magnificent frigatebirds inflate brilliant scarlet throat pouches.
- Snorkel alongside Galápagos penguins – The waters around Bartolomé and Chinese Hat provide some of the best opportunities outside the western islands to encounter the world’s only tropical penguin.
- Walk across one of the youngest islands – Chinese Hat’s pristine lava fields reveal the raw volcanic forces that continue to shape the Galápagos today.
- Follow in Darwin’s footsteps – Daphne Major, although closed to visitors, became one of the world’s most important natural laboratories for the study of evolution, thanks to decades of groundbreaking research on Darwin’s finches.
A life at sea
Red-footed boobies spend almost their entire lives at sea. Unlike their blue-footed cousins, they nest in trees rather than on the ground and may travel hundreds of kilometres from Genovesa in search of food before returning to feed their chicks.
Volcanic views
The famous view from Bartolomé was created by underwater eruptions. Pinnacle Rock is the eroded remains of a volcanic cone formed when rising magma exploded beneath the sea, leaving one of the Galápagos’ most recognisable landmarks.
Gallery
A green turtle spotted while snorkelling
Bartolomé Island
Brown pelicans fishing
A land iguana exploring the beach
Red footed booby on the wind
A magnificent frigate bird in full display
Great Darwin Bay, Genovesa Island
Where to stay
Best lodges & boats for visiting the Northern Islands
With no accommodation on these remote islands, the Northern Galápagos is best explored on an expedition cruise. If you prefer to stay on land, day trips from Santa Cruz offer access to Bartolomé and North Seymour while enjoying the comfort of a luxury hotel.
Luxury Expedition Yacht 
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Luxury Expedition Catamaran 
Ultra-Luxe Catamaran 
Luxury Expedition Catamaran 
Expedition Catamaran 
Luxury Expedition Catamaran 
Ultra-Luxe Catamaran 
Luxury Expedition Yacht 
Luxury Expedition Ship 
Luxury Expedition Yacht 
Luxury Expedition Yacht 
Superior Hotel Good to know
Getting to the Northern Islands
The Northern Galápagos is explored almost exclusively by expedition cruise. Most four to eight-night itineraries departing from Baltra include Bartolomé and North Seymour, while longer voyages often continue to the remote island of Genovesa, more than 70 kilometres north of Santa Cruz. Although Bartolomé and North Seymour can occasionally be visited on guided day trips from Santa Cruz, Genovesa is only accessible aboard an expedition yacht, making longer cruises the best way to experience the region in full.
Wildlife that is endemic to the Northern Islands
These species and subspecies occur naturally only in the Northern Islands.
- Genovesa ground finch (Geospiza acutirostris) – Found only on Genovesa Island.
- Genovesa cactus finch (Geospiza propinqua) – Another finch unique to Genovesa.
- Genovesa lava lizard (Microlophus barringtonensis) – Restricted to Genovesa.
- Daphne Major cactus finch population – The finch population that became world-famous through the Grants’ long-term research into evolution.
- North Seymour marine iguana population – One of several distinct island populations of marine iguanas.
- Galápagos penguin – Although centred on the western islands, small breeding populations are regularly encountered around Bartolomé and Chinese Hat.
When to go
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Best time to visit
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OUR FAVOURITE TIME TO VISIT
The Northern Galápagos is exceptional between May and October, when cooler conditions coincide with peak seabird activity. Frigatebirds, boobies and storm petrels are particularly active, while nutrient-rich waters attract abundant marine life. The calmer hiking temperatures also make climbing Bartolomé’s famous summit especially rewarding.
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