Great Darwin Bay at Genovesa Island is encircled by cliffs in a horseshoe shape measuring nearly 2,000 feet wide. The seascape was formed when a volcanic cone collapsed about two million years ago, resulting in an immersed crater called a caldera. At first glance, this rugged coastline seems uninhabitable. To the contrary, this harsh environment is full of life. Large colonies of seabirds nest in the rocky crevices and among the sparse vegetation. They are constantly patrolling the skies or diving for food. Herons and egrets stalk along the water’s edge. Below the surface, the abundant marine life includes hammerhead sharks and manta rays plus sea lions and marine iguanas. There are also so many aquatic microscopic organisms swimming around that the water often appears green.
