Isla Santa Cruz
Almost all visitors to the Galapagos Islands will touch down in Isla Santa Cruz at some point. From beach walks at Tortuga Bay to giant tortoises at El Chato Reserve, there is plenty to see — but make sure to visit the Charles Darwin Research Centre to learn more about the wildlife you’ll encounter on your trip.
Hidden gems in Isla Santa Cruz
The Galapagos Islands
Get your bearings on Isla Santa Cruz
Puerta Ayora, the main town on Santa Cruz island, is the tourist centre of the islands – tour agencies, airline offices, restaurants, banks and shops line the streets. It’s a stop on most tour itineraries and the place to finalise travel plans, find gifts for friends and family, and sample local cuisine. While here you can hike to Tortuga Bay – considered one of the best beaches in the world and perfect for snorkelling and sea kayaking, hike to lava tubes in the highlands, watch local fishermen compete with sea lions as they land their daily catch, and – a highlight – visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, the original rallying point for scientific and conservation efforts in the islands. For diving, off the coast of Santa Cruz Island, Gordon Rocks is a submerged volcano where the depths reveal hammerhead sharks, rays, and sea turtles. Currents can be strong and swells in the shallows mean that divers need to stay below 40 ft.
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Get your bearings on Isla Santa Cruz
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The Galapagos Islands
