Other than researchers and a few divers, the two Daphne islands (Major and Minor) between Santa Cruz and Santiago are generally off-limits to visitors. The tuff cone of Daphne Major has been the site of scientific research of the Galapagos finch populations. It is also home to blue-footed boobies and an endemic palo santo forest. With special permission from the National Park, this could be an exciting yet rare stop on your Galapagos trip. Otherwise, you'll have to appreciate it from afar and from the pages of the famous book written about the Darwin Finches that reside on this island called "The Beak of the Finch."
10 Best Cruises Near Daphne Mayor or Daphne Menor for 2024-2025
Daphne Island is one of the more remote islands in the Galapagos archipelago, making it a truly unique and off-the-beaten-path destination. Here are some facts and highlights to help guide you during your visit.
Daphne Island is home to a variety of seabirds including blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, frigatebirds, and storm petrels. Birdwatchers can observe these fascinating species up close and marvel at their unique behaviors.
The island's volcanic cliffs and rugged coastline offer breathtaking views of the surrounding ocean and neighboring islands.
Daphne Island, like most of the archipelago's territory, is part of the Galapagos Islands National Park and is a protected habitat delicate ecosystem.
Daphne Island is a popular destination for scientific research and has been the site of numerous studies on seabird behavior and ecology.
The waters surrounding Daphne Island are teeming with marine life, making it an ideal destination for snorkeling and diving. Swim with sea lions, sea turtles, and a variety of colorful fish.
Despite its small size, Daphne Island is home to a variety of unique plant species, including cacti and endemic shrubs.
I am a returning client to Adventure Life and am very pleased with their commitment to put together a great trip. Clara replied and clarified to any and all questions we had.
Claire Palmer
2 days ago
Jessica was very responsive to my questions and never balked when I asked her to go back and find more options. She really worked hard to find the right cruise for us.
Amy Siegel
2 days ago
Friendly, accommodating, knowledgeable, timely. They have made us feel very comfortable for our trip!
Gregg Chamberlain
2 days ago
Adventure Life took care of a lot of details for me because I flew separately and met up with the group at the start of the trip. On the return they dropped me off in Cantania and flew back to the UK as one group.
I was the only American on the Exodus trip which was not a problem. Communication between the two companies was good.
Happy Camper
2 days ago
We loved our time aboard the Angel. Beautiful boat and crew. Naturalist Jose Luis was incredible-very knowledgeable and thoughtful. He adapted tours to our group and we all had an amazing trip. Love staying a the quaint hacienda and the recommended activities.
