El Barranco (Prince Philip's Steps), Genovesa

About the site

El Barranco (Prince Philip's Steps)

El Barranco, better known as Prince Philip's Steps, is the second visitor site on Genovesa, named after Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who visited the island. The panga brings you to the foot of the cliff for a dry landing, and a steep stairway cut into the rock, with a handrail, climbs about 25 meters (80 feet) to the top.

At the top, a trail of roughly 1.5 kilometers crosses a forest of Palo Santo trees and an open lava field. Nazca and red-footed boobies nest beside the path, and over the lava thousands of storm petrels fly in and out of the cracks where they nest. This is the best place in the Galápagos to see the short-eared owl, which here hunts the petrels in broad daylight.

The visit takes about two hours. The steps and the uneven lava need some care, but the walk is not long, and the views over Darwin Bay and the open ocean from the edge of the cliff are among the finest in the islands. Before or after the walk, a panga ride along the base of the cliffs often finds Galápagos fur seals resting in the shade.

Highlights

Panoramic View
Birdwatching

Live dates & prices

Cruises that visit El Barranco (Prince Philip's Steps)

26 yachts include El Barranco (Prince Philip's Steps) in their routes, with 986 upcoming departures from US$1,822 per person. These are the next ones.

Departure	Yacht	Route	Price per person	Mindo gift	Details
October 2026
6 – 13 Oct8 days / 7 nights	GraceLuxury motor yacht · 16 guests	Following in Darwin's TrailBaltra	US$10,950	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure
6 – 10 Oct5 days / 4 nights	EliteLuxury catamaran · 16 guests	D · Central GalapagosBaltra → San Cristóbal	US$5,129	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure2 places left
8 – 12 Oct5 days / 4 nights	Grand MajesticLuxury motor yacht · 16 guests	5A · Genovesa & South EastBaltra → San Cristóbal	US$4,545	+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included	See departure4 places left
8 – 15 Oct8 days / 7 nights	Archipel IMid-range catamaran · 16 guests	A5B4 · Western/Norther/Central IslandsBaltra	US$5,295	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure1 place left
9 – 13 Oct5 days / 4 nights	AnahiFirst Class catamaran · 16 guests	A2 · East & North GalapagosBaltra → San Cristóbal	US$3,885	+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included	See departure
9 – 16 Oct8 days / 7 nights	AnahiFirst Class catamaran · 16 guests	B2 · South & Northeast GalapagosBaltra	US$6,195	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure
10 – 17 Oct8 days / 7 nights	EvolutionLuxury cruise ship · 32 guests	Footsteps back in timeSan Cristóbal → Baltra	US$9,950	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure
11 – 15 Oct5 days / 4 nights	Galapagos Sea StarLuxury motor yacht · 16 guests	Central & GenovesaBaltra	US$4,782	+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included	See departure
11 – 15 Oct5 days / 4 nights	Galapagos Sea StarLuxury motor yacht · 16 guests	Itinerary 5BBaltra	US$3,845~~US$4,845~~Save US$1,000	+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included	See departure
11 – 18 Oct8 days / 7 nights	Origin, Theory & EvolveLuxury motor yacht · 20 guests	B · Volcanic WondersSan Cristóbal	US$10,950	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure
11 – 15 Oct5 days / 4 nights	TributeLuxury motor yacht · 16 guests	B · Wildlife DiscoverySan Cristóbal → Baltra	US$6,195	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure
12 – 16 Oct5 days / 4 nights	SolarisFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests	B · Southeast & GenovesaBaltra → San Cristóbal	US$4,150	+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included	See departure