NORTH SEYMOUR & BACHAS BEACH

THE NORTH SEYMOUR & BACHAS EXPERIENCE

We will leave from Puerto Ayora to the Itabaca channel by bus or a van. Once in the channel, we will board the boat for a short boat ride to North Seymour Island. This island is located at the center of the archipelago and has a relatively flat surface because of its formation by an uprising seabed, in comparison to other archipelago islands, which were formed by volcanic eruptions.

Once on the island, we will disembark to walk along the approximately two-kilometer-long trail, which goes through some of the largest frigate colonies in the archipelago. Besides the frigates, blue-footed boobies, seagulls, land iguanas, marine iguanas, and a colony of sea lions inhabit this island too. This is also one of the best places on the islands to see the frigates inflating their distinctive red featherless pouches to attract females. On this island, we will also find the endemic plant lignum vitae, a bushy tree that can remain without leaves during the entire summer but that it turns green with the first rains of the year.

After visiting Seymour, we will head to the beach known as Bachas, located in the north of Santa Cruz Island. On this visit site, we will have time to snorkel and enjoy the sea and beach. The name “Bachas” comes from the local pronunciation “barges” because the American army deserted two boats (barges) after the Second World War. Besides snorkeling, this beach is an excellent place to observe wildlife, including Flamingos, zayapas (Galapagos crabs) and many marine birds.

WHAT TO BRING?:

• Hiking & water shoes
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Bathing suit
• Water bottle

Please Note:

To participate in this tour, you must be at san Santa Cruz (Puerto Ayora) one day prior to departure.

The itinerary might change due to regulations of the Galapagos National park or weather conditions.

Please consider that in order to protect the environment of the Galapagos Islands, the Government of Ecuador has banned the use of shopping plastic bags, plastic straws and polyethylene containers in the Archipelago. Visitors to the islands are not allowed to bring these objects with them. This measure is effective as of May 2018.

We thank you for collaboration in protecting the Galapagos pristine ecosystem.

Operation days: Tuesday – Wednesday – Friday – Saturday - Sunday

Type of service: Shared

Departure Location:Hotel pick up or Meeting Point (depends on provider at the moment of booking).

Return Location:Hotel pick up or Meeting Point (depends on provider at the moment of booking).

Departure time: around 06:00 to 8:00 a.m.

• February 22, 23, 24 and 25
• March 01, 02, 03, 04
• April 10, 11, 12
• May 01, 02, 03, 04
• June 25 until August 31
• November 01 until November 04
• From December 26 until January 6

• English/Spanish Naturalist Guide.
• Snack time.
• Snorkeling equipment  (fins, mask and snorkel).
• Lunch.
• Transfer from and to Santa Cruz to the Canal de Itabaca.
• Towels.
• Water, coffee and tea free station.

• Wetsuit.
• Alcoholic beverages.
• Tips.
• Extra food or extra snacks.