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SANTA CRUZ (Indefatigable)

Santa Cruz is the island with the largest population in the Galapagos. It is also the second largest island in the archipelago. It has a long history of human settlements since World War I and World War II. Even though it is a populated island, most of its surface is still protected by the Galapagos National Park. Puerto Ayora located in the south of the island is the largest city in the Galapagos with 12.000 inhabitants, there are also two small towns Bellavista and Santa Rosa. Santa Cruz humid highlands are ideal for farming and agriculture.

 

Situated at the center of the archipelago and at only one hour from the Baltra airport Santa Cruz is the main hub for tourist visiting the Galapagos. This island has many visitor sites and tourism facilities, hotels, restaurants, shops. The harbor in Puerto Ayora connects visitors to the different inhabited islands with ferry services to Isabela, San Cristobal and Floreana.

Highlights and Wildlife:  Charles Darwin station, giant tortoises, sea lions, sea birds. Several visitors sites.

Landing: Dry landing

Activities: Hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, cycling, diving, swimming.

Total Area:  986 km2 / 381 mi2

Population: 15.700 people

 

This is one of the most popular visitor sites in Santa Cruz Island. This beautiful spot is accessible by foot, it takes approximately an hour from Puerto Ayora. The trail is a pleasant introduction to the Galapagos combining giant cactus, land birds, lizards and palo santo trees along the way.  At the end of the trail there are two beaches. The first one is a long open ocean beach, only recommended for strong swimmers and surfers. The second beach located 10 minutes further is calm and perfect to relax, swim, snorkel, or kayak.

This site is named after the marine turtles who find this beautiful white sand beach a perfect nesting site.

It is possible to camp in this site, with a special permit from the Galapagos National Park.

Highlights and Wildlife: White sand beach. Sea turtles, marine iguanas, sea lions, sally lightfoot crabs, white tip sharks.

Landing: No landing/ Wet landing (when visiting by yacht)

Activities: Beach walk, Snorkeling, swimming, surfing, kayaking, camping.

Activity Difficulty: 

  • Hiking: Easy
  • Snorkeling: Easy
 

This is a beautiful white beach located at 50 minutes by car or 20 minutes by boat from Puerto Ayora.  From the parking area there is an easy access via a 1 km path to the beach. At 100 meters from the beach there is a lagoon where flamingos and white cheeked pintail ducts can be spotted occasionally. The shore is ideal for snorkeling with colorful reef fish, sea turtles and with luck sea lions or even Galapagos penguins.

It is possible to camp in this site, with a special permit from the Galapagos National Park.

Highlights and Wildlife: White sand beach. Blue footed boobies, frigates, flamingos, sea turtles, marine iguanas, sea lions, sally lightfoot crabs.

Landing: No landing/ Wet landing (when visiting by yacht)

Activities: Beach walk, Snorkeling, swimming, camping.

Activity Difficulty: 

  • Hiking: Easy
  • Snorkeling: Easy
 

The Twin Craters or Gemelos in Spanish site is located in the Highlands of Santa Cruz on the road from Baltra to Puerto Ayora. This area is surrounded by a dense green vegetation. The two “craters” are no craters. They were originally two magma chambers that collapsed after a volcano eruption.

There is a trail around the two craters. The dense vegetation around is home to curious birds such as Darwin Finches and Vermilion Flycatchers.

Highlights and Wildlife: Geological formations, birdlife.

Landing: Dry landing

Activities: Hiking

Activity Difficulty:  Hiking: Easy

 

This coastal site is in the north of Santa Cruz Island. A curious fact about the name Bachas, it was derived from the word barges. After World War II the American military left barges that sank in this beach. Some remains can still be seen in the beach.

There is a lagoon behind the white sand coral beach where diverse marine birds can be observed. Such as flamingos, ducks, and coastal birds. The beach is a perfect nesting site for Galapagos green turtles.

Highlights and Wildlife: White sand beach, lagoon. Sea turtles, flamingos, marine iguanas.

Landing: Wet landing

Activities: Hike

Activity Difficulty:  Hike: Easy

 

On the Northwest side of Santa Cruz Island, this site offers different activity opportunities to visitors. There is a long walking trail around the hill, two salt-water lagoons, a rocky shore perfect for snorkeling, and a white sand beach. The recovery of the colony of endemic land

iguanas in this site are an example of the Galapagos National Park preservation efforts.

This site was named after the dragon-looking land iguanas.  Flamingos, and ducks can be spotted from the lagoon lookout.

Highlights and Wildlife: Beautiful bay, endemic land iguanas, flamingos, coastal birds.

Landing: Dry landing

Activities: Hiking in rocky terrain, snorkeling from the beach

Activity Difficulty: 

  • Hiking: Moderate
  • Snorkeling: Easy
 

The Highlands of Santa Cruz are the natural habitat of the famous Galapagos giant tortoises. There are different local farms and hotels where it is possible to observe these beautiful creatures in the wild. This is a must stop during your visit to the Galapagos.

 

There are also many lava tunnels in different locations. Taking visitors underground to discover these interesting formations. This is one of the best places to witness how the islands were born.

 

This area is also home to small towns and farmers who grow fruits and organic products for the local markets. 

 

Through the roads of the highlands, it is possible to cycle, there is a dedicated path in the main road or different gravel routes for the more adventurous explorers.

 

Highlights and Wildlife: Giant Tortoises, geological formations, birdlife

Landing: Dry landing

Activities: Hiking

Activity Difficulty:  Hiking: Easy- Moderate

 

This is by far the most visited site in the Galapagos Islands. This Center is home to the Charles Darwin Fundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and preservation of the Galapagos Islands flora and fauna.

This is one of the best places to observe giant tortoises from breathing phase to adult life.  Visitors can take photos with them. There are also pens with Galapagos land iguanas.  In the visitor center there is plenty of information about the geography, climate, and conservation programs. The research and projects conducted in this center is key to the preservation of the Galapagos Islands. We encourage visitors to check the donation point. Donations support the current research and future goals of the Charles Darwin Station.

Highlights and Wildlife: Research Center, giant tortoises, land iguanas

Landing: Dry landing

Activities: Hiking

Activity Difficulty:  Hiking: Easy

 

“Turtle sanctuary” is the best way to describe this secluded mangrove estuary in the north of Santa Cruz Island. Only accessible by sea, this quiet cove is rich in flora and fauna. Once the boat or dinghies reach this site the engines will be turned off to observe to avoid disturbing the local species. The four species of mangrove and clear waters are the perfect natural shelter to juvenile green sea turtles. There is also three types of sharks, rays, pelicans, and boobies.

 

Highlights and Wildlife: Mangrove estuary, sea turtles, sharks, rays, sea birds.

Landing: No landing.

Activities: Dinghy ride

Activity Difficulty:  Easy

 

In the west of Santa Cruz Island, this is a new visitor site and one of the least known. A green sand beach, rich in olivine crystals characterizes this bay. The name of this site comes from back

in the 1800s when it was often visited by whalers on the way to the Santa Cruz highlands, looking for drinking water and provisions.

There is a hill behind the beach, its top is a wonderful viewpoint, from which the curious Galapagos hawk can be spotted.

The Eden Islet is off the shore, a beautiful spot for snorkeling with playful sea lions and sea birds.

Highlights: Olive sand beach.

Wildlife: Sea lions, sea birds, Galapagos hawk, marine iguanas.

Activities: Hiking in the bay, dinghy ride, snorkeling

Landing: Wet landing

Activity Difficulty: 

  • Hiking: Difficult
  • Snorkeling: Moderate
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