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GENOVESA (Tower)

Genovesa is the Northernmost Island in the Galapagos. It is considered a fabulous snorkeling spot and a paradise of birds due to the wide variety of species inhabiting it. This island hosts a collapsed volcanic crater, 600 meter wide and 60 meter deep, with relatively young lava flows on its flanks. One of the excursions takes place across a Palo Santo Forest used as a nesting site by the most famous inhabitant of the island, the Red Footed Booby. Only some cruises include Genovesa Island in their itineraries, so make sure you contact us if you want to explore this beautiful island.

Genovesa has two visitors’ sites:

  • Prince Philip’s Steps (El Barranco)
  • Darwin Bay

Highlights and Wildlife: Red-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, short-eared owls, storm petrels, Galapagos swallows, Galapagos doves, sea lions, marine iguanas, sally lightfoot crabs, great frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls, lava gulls, lava herons, Great Frigatebirds, red-billed tropical bird, green sea turtles, Manta rays, hammerhead sharks, surgeonfish, butterfly hogfish, unicorn fish, king angelfish & parrot fish

Activities: Hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, SUP, and zodiac ride

Total Area: 5.4 mi2 / 8.69 km2

Population: 0 (uninhabited)

 

Genovesa’s Prince Phillip’s Steps hosts the largest colony of red footed boobies and is also home to a large colony of Nazca Boobies. As the trail changes from soil to petrified lava flows, short-eared owls and storm petrels show visitors their ability to survive in this harsh landscape. The end of the trail offers a fascinating panoramic view of Genovesa Island.

Highlights and Wildlife:  Reed footed boobies, Nazca boobies, short-eared owls, storm petrels, Galapagos swallows and Galapagos doves.

Landing: Dry Landing

Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling

Activity Difficulty:

  • Hiking: Medium
  • Snorkeling: Medium
 

Darwin Bay on Genovesa Island is a beautiful white coral sand beach surrounding an inactive volcano’s caldera. On top of a fascinating landscape, you will be surrounded by land, air, and marine wildlife during your visit to Darwin Bay. The trail starts on the beach and takes visitors past a tidal pool hosting gulls and lava herons. Then, you will enter a Palo Santo forest home to a variety of bird species. The trail ends at a cliff-top with a fascinating view of the island. Back on the beach, there are several snorkeling sites, depending on your skills and experience. It is one of the best snorkeling sites in the Galapagos Islands, and its main attraction is the hammerhead sharks. If you do not want to get in the water, Darwin Bay is also a great place for kayaking.

Highlights and Wildlife:   sea lions, marine iguanas, sally lightfoot crabs, great frigate birds, swallow-tailed gulls, lava gulls, lava herons, marine iguanas, Great Frigatebirds, red-footed boobies, red-billed tropical bird, green sea turtles, Manta rays, sea lions, hammerhead sharks, surgeon fish, butterfly hogfish, unicorn fish, king angelfish & parrot fish

Landing: Wet landing

Activities: Hiking, Snorkeling

Activity Difficulty:

  • Hiking: Medium
  • Snorkeling: Easy / Hard
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