What is Genovesa Island known for, and how do you get there?

Genovesa, also called Tower Island or Bird Island, is a small, low island in the far northeast of the Galapagos, just north of the equator. Its collapsed volcanic crater forms Darwin Bay. It is one of the best places to see red-footed boobies, plus Nazca boobies, frigatebirds, swallow-tailed gulls and storm petrels that feed by day.

There are two landing sites. Darwin Bay starts with a wet landing on a coral-sand beach and a short trail past nesting birds. Prince Philip's Steps begins with a dry landing and a steep rocky stairway, then a trail of about 1.5 km (approximate) where short-eared owls hunt petrels.

Genovesa has no town, airport or ferry; it is visited only on cruise itineraries that include it, usually after a long overnight crossing. Check the day-by-day plan if seabirds matter most.