North Seymour Island and Rabida Island are two of the many islands that make up the Galápagos archipelago, located in the Pacific Ocean about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) off the coast of Ecuador. Both islands are popular destinations for tourists who visit the Galápagos to experience its unique biodiversity.
Early in the day, we visited North Seymour, a small flat island where we saw marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, and sea lions. We were also amazed by the amount of green vegetation, the result of unusually heavy rains this time of year. The land iguanas were well fed and happy.
Rabida Island is a smaller island known for its distinctive red sand beach and dramatic volcanic landscapes. It is home to a variety of wildlife, including the Galapagos flamingos, which share the same color and characteristics of their American cousins. We saw more than 20 of them eating, sleeping, mating, and dancing. Another highlight was snorkeling with sea lions!
Both North Seymour Island and Rabida Island are part of the Galápagos National Park, established in 1959 to preserve the islands' unique ecosystems and biodiversity. We had a wonderful day, enjoying the islands on land and in the water.
