Daphne Minor

About the site

Daphne Minor

Daphne Minor is the smaller and more eroded of the two Daphne islets, which rise from the sea north of Santa Cruz and west of Baltra. It is the remnant of an old tuff cone, worn down by the waves into steep, barren cliffs, with no trees and no visitor trail.

There is no landing on Daphne Minor. Cruises see it from the boat or on a panga ride along its walls, where Nazca and blue-footed boobies, red-billed tropicbirds and frigatebirds nest and rest on the ledges.

The islet is better known underwater. Its vertical walls, ledges and small caves are covered with sponges, corals and other colorful life, and they attract reef fish, sea lions, green sea turtles, eagle rays and white-tipped reef sharks; seahorses hide among the black corals, and Galápagos sharks are sometimes seen in the blue. It is a popular dive site, and in calm conditions some boats offer snorkeling along its walls.

Daphne Minor is usually seen together with its larger neighbor, Daphne Major, on the navigation between Baltra or Santa Cruz and the central and western islands.

Highlights

• Birdwatching