Tower Island and Darwin Bay
Your day begins with an exploration of Tower Island. Sitting to the northwest, slightly removed from the rest of the archipelago, the island’s southern part is an ocean-filled caldera of a sizeable and mostly submerged volcano. Known as “Bird Island,” it certainly lives up to it in a spectacular way.
The first stop is to Prince Phillips Steps, the best location to see red footed boobies, who comically perch by wrapping their big red feet around tiny branches. You’ll walk a short distance to seek out short eared owls known to be hunting swarms of storm petrels. The snorkeling at the foot of the steps is also encouraged, as you’ll encounter large, brightly colored tropical fish which take on a neon quality against the black lava background.
After lunch, take time to kayak beside the walls of the sunken caldera before an afternoon visit to Darwin Bay. Here a gorgeous tidal grotto forms a picturesque backdrop to the gaggle of nesting and soaring seabirds birds who call this bay home. Follow a path up to the rookery cliffs for views of the bay and colonies of gulls, tropic birds and frigates.
M/Y Grace Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner