Galapagos Islands - Daphne Major Island

One of the central islands, Daphne lays north of Santa Cruz and west of Baltra. There are actually 2 islands Daphne Major and Daphne Minor. Daphne Major is the younger of the two and the one that is visited.

Though its location is easily in reach for most cruises, it is a select few that are able to visit this special place. The National Park Service restricts the number of visitors allowed to visit Daphne. Only cruises with capacity of 12 passengers or less are permitted to go ashore, and further restrictions limit captains to  1 visit per month.

The landing at Daphne can be very tricky, and less accomplished sailors may not attempt it. The partially eroded base of the tuff cone makes this one of the most difficult landings in the Galapagos.

Tourists may not spend much time on Daphne, but that is not true of scientists.  Daphne has been the site of a major scientific research project. Scientists have captured and banded each of the island's finches, monitoring the birds in an attempt to earn a greater understanding of their lives.

Tourist Information

Landing: Dry Landing 

Wildlife Highlights: Blue-Footed Boobies, Red-Billed Tropicbirds, Magnificent Frigatebirds, Finches, Masked Boobies, Short Eared Owls and Galapagos Martins

Activity Higlights: Hike up a steep trail to the crater rim

Conditions: Difficult landing 

Notes: This is a rare treasure that few are fortunate to visit. Restricted to boats of 12 passengers or less. 

Tours and Excursions Description

Visitors who do gain permission to go a shore venture up a steep trail to the crater rim. Finches, Masked Boobies, Short Eared Owls and Galapagos Martins are visible along the way.

Nearing the summit Red-Billed Tropicbirds nest in the cliffs. These elegant birds with long white tail feathers and a coral-red bill, nest in the over hanging ledges and crevices of the steep slopes. Magnificent Frigatebirds build their nests in the little vegetation that occurs on the islands slopes and near the crater rim. On the floor of the crater Blue-Footed Boobies make their nests between April and December. The presence of these sea birds makes Daphne an exceptional island to visit. A place where thousands of birds can be seen soaring overhead.