Daphne Island (galapagos) Cruise Port

If you've ever dreamed of cruising to a volcanic island, then a trip to Daphne Island should be high on your to-do list. Located north of Santa Cruz Island within the Archipelago of Colón (Galápagos Islands), you won't find trees – but will find an almost two-million-year-old volcanic crater rising about 394 feet above the sea. Called a tuff cone, it's basically a giant pile of compressed volcanic ash shaped like a cone, creating an impressive sight. There are scuba diving sites on the island and the island is easily accessible; however, the national park service has restricted visits to scientific research and specialized cruises. The island is known for an intensive study of Darwin's finches (about 15 species), and Daphne is a home for many other species of birds. For a small, intimate trip, here some of our favorite experiences for the cruise port of Daphne Island in the Galápagos:

Daphne Minor is where many of the birds nest, including Nazca boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, and blue-footed boobies. This is also where Darwin's finch research was carried on by Peter and Rosemary Grant’s 40-year study of evolution; most of the finches on the island are banded. A variety of other birds also call this home, including Galápagos martins, short-eared owls, and red-billed tropicbirds.
One of the most amazing spots in the world to dive, the waters here have a fantastic diversity of marine life. Keep an eye out for white-tipped reef sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, stingrays, sea lions, moray eels, tuna, red snapper, and more.
There's also a somewhat unexpected side to scuba diving here, as you'll find pieces of machinery and bomb shells belonging to the U.S. Navy; during World War II, the United States set up a military base on nearby Baltra (giving the base the nickname "The Rock"). Dismantled after the war, their fallout remains underwater.
For those who can’t scuba dive, some cruise lines offer excursions that include snorkeling, where you can spot some of the shallow-water marine life.

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