Daphne Major

Daphne Major is a small volcanic island in the Galápagos archipelago, Ecuador, widely known for long-term ecological and evolutionary research on Darwin’s finches. It is one of the most intensively studied small islands in the Galápagos.

The island’s significance stems from decades of continuous ecological fieldwork beginning in the 1970s, which produced detailed records of finch population changes, natural selection events and speciation processes. That research has made Daphne Major a model site in evolutionary biology.

Daphne Major is located in the central Galápagos Islands group, north of Santa Cruz Island, and forms part of Ecuador’s Galápagos Province.

• Research history: Long-term field studies of Darwin’s finches have been carried out on the island by researchers including Peter and Rosemary Grant since the 1970s, making it one of the world’s best-known sites for observing evolution in action.
• Access restrictions: Landing and visits are tightly restricted; the island is primarily used for scientific research rather than tourism.

Daphne Major is remote and access is restricted by Galápagos National Park for scientific purposes; visits require park permits and are generally part of authorised research programs or specially arranged cruises.

• Landing permits for the Galápagos are strictly controlled; arrange any island visits via authorised tour operators and park authorities.
• Daley access is by permit only-visitors should be prepared for primitive landing conditions and minimal facilities.
• Bring binoculars and a camera with a good zoom for seabird and marine wildlife observations.