Santa Cruz Island

Are you tired of the same old vacation spots? Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos might be just what you need. It’s a beautiful place with unique wildlife and stunning views.

Location and geography

Santa Cruz Island, in the Galapagos Islands, covers 380 square miles. The island has two main geological areas. One part is younger and made of volcanic cones and lava flows. The other part is older with uplifted landforms.

The highest point on Santa Cruz is 2,834 feet above sea level. It also boasts six distinct vegetation zones. This variety helps support a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. You will see unique natural habitats formed by past volcanic activity and changing elevations across the island’s landscape.

Visitor Sites

Santa Cruz Island is full of fun places to visit. There are many activities for everyone.

Puerto Ayora

This is the main town on Santa Cruz Island. You can find lots of restaurants, shops, bars, and coffee shops here. Activities include dinghy rides where you might see hammerhead shark babies and sea turtles. The bay is great for spotting brown pelicans, marine iguanas, herons, and blue-footed boobies.

Carrion Point

It has a sheltered lagoon with beautiful turquoise waters. Activities include panga rides and snorkeling to see fish and white-tip reef sharks.

Charles Darwin Station / Fausto Llerena Breeding Center

Home to giant tortoises that range from 3 inches to 4 feet in size. Walking tours here are easy with dry landings.

Garrapatero Beach

A pretty sandy beach surrounded by mangroves and a freshwater lake attracting shorebirds. Activities include swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking in clear waters.

Lava Tunnels

Created by solidified molten lava leaving empty tubes behind. Visitors can walk through tunnels that are often over a kilometer long.

Tortuga Bay

A white-sand beach where black sea turtles lay their eggs. Great for swimming, snorkeling, surfing; good spot for bird watching too.

Whale Bay

One of the oldest whaling camps on the island with a greenish beach due to olivine crystals. Activities mainly focus on wildlife watching.

Bachas Beach

A swimming beach with remnants from the U.S. World War II presence. Wildlife includes flamingos and crabs.

Black Turtle Cove

An inlet surrounded by mangroves that you access only by dinghy ride. It serves as a haven for young marine life like sharks and turtles.

Dragon Hill

See land iguana nesting spots along hiking trails that vary from easy to moderate difficulty.

Santa Cruz Highlands

Accessible via bus from Puerto Ayora, Enjoy diverse environments including lava tubes over half a mile long.

Los Gemelos (Twin Craters)

Found opposite each other alongside Puerto Ayora-Baltra road, Stunning pit craters amid Scalesia forests easily explored through short hikes.

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List of Wildlife on Santa Cruz Island

After visiting some great sites, let’s explore the wildlife on Santa Cruz Island. This island has many unique animals.

Giant Tortoise: These tortoises are huge and can live for over 100 years.
Marine Iguana: Marine iguanas are reptiles that like to swim in the ocean.
Bird Species
- Hood Mockingbird: This bird is known for its curious nature.
- Large Ground Finch: This finch has a big beak and eats seeds.
- Medium Tree Finch: It lives in trees and sings beautiful songs.
Galapagos Green Turtle: This turtle spends most of its life in the water.
Lava Lizard: Lava lizards change color to blend with rocks.
Dolphins: Dolphins love to play near boats and swim fast.
Galapagos Sea Lions: These sea lions rest on beaches and bark loudly.
Galapagos Shark: The Galapagos shark is often seen around reefs.
Hammerhead Shark: Hammerhead sharks have heads shaped like a hammer.
Tropical Fish: Many colorful fish swim around the reefs, making snorkeling fun.

Looking for an unforgettable adventure? Santa Cruz Island, the heart of the Galapagos, offers a blend of wildlife and culture. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to see giant tortoises, explore lush highlands, and relax on the white sands of Tortuga Bay. It’s a hub for nature enthusiasts and a gateway to the Galapagos’ biodiversity.