TOWER ISLAND - GENOVESA

This horseshoe shaped island is a relatively small island is a low-lying volcano rising just above the ocean surface.  A shield volcano the now submerged caldera is 600 meters wide (1970 feet). Having arrived at Tower entering into Darwin's Bay can be a challenge for the captain and crew, who must cross a shallow-narrow channel into the caldera itself to anchor at the base of the steep crater walls. Once inside the volcano, birds are visible by the thousands.

Tower attracts an enormous number of pelagic seabirds that come there to nest. Great frigate birds, red-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls and storm petrels all breed here by the thousands.

There are two visitors sites and due a change in National Park regulations regarding cruise itineraries effective January 2012, most Galapagos Cruises can now include Genovesa as part of their two-week itinerary. 

Due to its remote location and lack of fresh water Genovesa has remained unaltered by man, there are no introduced species on the island.

Genovesa Map and Location

Located in the northern part of the archipelago an 8 - 10 hour navigation from the island of Santa Cruz, Genovesa can only be visited by those on board a Galapagos Cruise. 

Genovesa is 14 square kilometers (5 sq miles) and has an elevation of 64 meters (210 feet).

Darwin Bay

Darwin Bay was created when the island's large crater collapsed below sea level. Landing on the white coral beach in the middle of the bay requires a wet landing. Once ashore the number of birds seems overwhelming, Nazca boobies soar overhead; great frigate birds display their pouches while resting on the nearby rocks and plants, mockingbirds scamper quickly across the sand. It's easy to see why Darwin Bay is a favorite of birders.

Beyond the beach a series of tide pools carved out of black volcanic rock offer wandering tattlers, lava gulls, whimbrels and turnstones a place to fish. Yellow-crowned, black-crowned and lava herons and White and yellow warblers have also been seen in the area.

The trail follows the coast through the salt bush and mangrove nesting area of the great frigate birds and red-footed boobies. Unlike the masked and blue-footed boobies who nest on the ground, the Red-Footed Boobies can be seen nesting in trees between September and July. Boobies and frigates share an adversarial relationship. They nest in the same areas. Boobies frequently destroy the frigate bird nests, while frigate birds feed on booby eggs.

Continuing on the trail, visitors climb gradually to the edge of the cliff seeing red-foots nesting in the mangrove trees below. Bird watching from the trail includes sightings of sharp-beaked finch, large cactus finches, large ground finches, Galapagos doves and swallow-tailed gulls. Reaching the end the trail at the cliff's edge offers an incredible view of the island and the many birds living there.

Darwin Bay Visit Information

The visit to Darwin Bay is typically 2 hours on a 1,500 meter path along the beach

Darwin Bay Wildlife

Yellow Warbler
Galapagos Mockingbird
Great Frigatebird
Yellow Crowned Night Heron
Swallow-tailed Gull
Barn Owls
Galapagos Sea Lions
Galapagos Dove
Warbler Finch
Large Cactus Finch
Large Ground Finch
Vampire Finch
Red Footed Booby
Nazca Booby

Prince Philips Steps - El Barranco

Located on the south-eastern side of Darwin's Bay visiting Prince Phillips Steps begins with a scenic panga ride along the rocky cliff ledges. The ride permits an outstanding vantage point to view the island's many shore birds; red-billed tropicbirds navigating their way into the small crevasses that harbor their nests, red-footed boobies perch in the palo santo trees, while frigate birds fly endlessly searching for food. The hike is approximately 1.5 km and can be done in approximately 2 hours.

Reaching the shore the dry landing is at the base of the steep rocky steps named after his Royal Highness Prince Philip who visited the island in the 1960's. The climb up the stairs can be difficult due to loose matter and the steps may be slippery, a handrail helps make the journey more manageable. At the top of the steps the trail becomes relatively flat and bird life abounds.

Masked boobies and blue-footed boobies nest in in the rocks and on the ground while great frigate birds, magnificent frigate birds and red-footed boobies nest in the trees and bushes. Depending on the time of year it is possible to see thousands of birds nesting on Tower.

Tower is home to a variety of smaller birds living within the palo santo trees, lava cactus and lava morning glory. Galapagos Doves and the Tower species of the Galapagos Mockingbird are frequently seen. Four types of Darwins finches visible from this site including the sharp-beaked ground finch, large cactus finch and the warbler finch and the Tower version of the large ground finch with its heavy bill.

At the end of forest the trail reaches a lava field at the west end of the island. Here buzzing over the lava are over 200,000 pairs of small wedge-rumped storm petrels and band-rumped storm petrels looking for the crevice they make their home. Short-eared owls can be seen flying over the lava hunting their favorite meal, petrel eggs.

At the end of trail near the cliffs visitors are treated to even more birds. Red-billed tropicbirds, blue-footed boobies, Audubon's shearwaters, noddy terns, red-footed boobies, frigate birds and Nazca boobies fill the air.

El Barranco Visit Information

A 2 hour walk up a steep stairway and along a somewhat difficult path

El Barranco Wildlife

Great Frigatebird
Magnificent Frigatebird
Swallow-Tailed Gull
Short-Eared Owl
Galapagos Fur Seal
Red Billed Tropicbird
Warbler Finch
Vampire Finch
Large Ground Finch
Large Cactus Finch
Red Footed Booby
Nazca Booby
Blue Footed Booby
Small Wedge Rumped Storm Petrel
Band-Rumped Storm Petrel
Galapagos Dove
Galapagos Mockingbird
Noddy Tern
Yellow Crown Night Heron

Learn More About Genovesa

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How to Select the Perfect Galapagos Cruise