Galapagos Islands Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Island - The center of the Galapagos Islands
Galapagos Islands Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the Galapagos Islands. Because of its immediate vicinity to the main airport on Baltra Island, it is often the starting point for most cruises. Island Santa Cruz has the best tourist infrastructure in the archipelago. The island’s largest town, Puerto Ayora, is home to around 15,000 people. It is the economic and tourist centre of the Galapagos Islands.
The highlands and conservation
The Charles Darwin Research Station is situated approximately 1.5 kilometers west of Puerto Ayora in Academy Bay. The Charles Darwin Foundation was founded in 1959 by UNESCO and the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature). Visitors can visit the tortoise research and endangered animal breeding programs. The research station is one of the most important research facilities on the Galapagos Islands. You can observe newly hatched baby tortoise at the research facility. The once threatened tortoise population in the Galapagos has grown steadily, thanks to breeding programs and conservation efforts.
It was also home to Lonesome George. He was the last of his subspecies of Pinta Island giant tortoises. He was around 100 years old when he passed away in May 2012. The embalmed George is now resting peacefully in his Mausoleum on Santa Cruz Island.
One of the main highlights of Santa Cruz’s highlands is a visit to the farm where giant tortoises and other animals roam freely on the hills. Some of the tortoises there are older than 120 years old! You can find them relaxing in pools or simply wandering along the roadsides. Entry to the farm is free, but a nature guide should accompany your visit to the area.
Once you are in the highlands, you should not miss out on seeing the twin craters at Los Gemelos which are covered by vegetation. The craters are about 70 metres deep, and the area overlooks the stunning northern landscape of the island with its surrounding Scalesia forest. For the bird watching enthusiast out there, Darwin Finches are often sighted in the highlands.
Beaches and other attractions
Three kilometers west of Puerto Ayora is the Tortuga Bay Beach with extremely fine white sand. The clear turquoise waters are protected and swimming there is forbidden. However, there is a separate bay where you can swim with whitetip reef sharks, tiger sharks, and rays. Marine iguanas, Galapagos crabs, and birds also sunbath or rest on the volcanic rocks.
On the eastern side of the island is Playas de los Alemanes (German beach). It was named after German settlers who fought for the protection and conservation of the area. The town of Puerto Ayora was initially lined with long beautiful beaches but retreated due to the building of houses and streets. Besides visiting the beach, there are other exciting locations to visit! This includes the colorful salt lake, the Opuntia Cactus forest, and Grottos Las Grietas. It is a canyon with refreshing and clear waters suitable for swimming or even diving off cliffs!
Across from Baltra on the island’s north coast is Las Bachas Beach. At the moment, the beach is only accessible by cruise. The sandy beach is filled with soft powdered corals which makes it the perfect nesting ground for turtles. A lagoon is located on the other side of the beach, where you would get to meet large groups of flamingos and many other coastal birds like the black-necked crane and the whimbrel. There is also another beach in the area which used to be a US outpost for the Panama canals. The two historical war tugboats from WWII remain on the beach.
The Garrapatero beach is located on the eastern side of the island which is surrounded by volcanic rocks and mangroves. The beautiful sandy beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos, and it is perfect for swimming, snorkelling, and kayaking.
Endemic Plants
Scalesia, Miconia robinsoniana, Galapagos tree fern, mangroves, Chinchona trees, grasses, club mosses, mosses, orchids, beach morning glory
Endemic Animals
10 species of Darwin’s finches, Galapagos giant tortoises, Galapagos flycatchers, lava herons, vermilion flycatchers, Chestnut-bellied cuckoos, short-eared owls, flamingos, Galapagos pintails, black-winged stilts, yellow warblers, waders, great egrets, great blue herons, brown pelicans, blue-footed boobies, iguanas, green sea turtles, golden rays, eagle rays, whitetip reef.
Santa Cruz Island at a glance
Area: 986 km2
Highest elevation: 864 m
Population: 15,000 inhabitants
Ways to get there: Airplane via Baltra Island, cruise ship and speedboats
Mode of Transport: E-Cars, taxis, ferry, water taxis and bicycles
Santa Cruz Island Tours

Best Seller: Galapagos Family Tour (from 5 days)
Duration: 4 - 8 daysHighlights: Galapagos Island Hopping, Santa Cruz Island, Unique Flora and Fauna, Giant Tortoises in the Highlands, Land Iguanas on Seymour, Blue-Footed Boobies and Frigatebirds, Tortuga Bay, Bay Tours around Santa Cruz Islands, Charles Darwin Station
5 Days and 4 Nights: Galapagos family tour featuring 4 islands. Family-friendly hotels and excursions
Price per pax

Galapagos Dive Tour: Compact Santa Cruz Return
Duration: 5 - 7 daysHighlights: World Famous Dive Sites, 6 Dives, 5 Islands, Mosquera and Daphne Islands, Charles Darwin Station, Santa Cruz Highlands, Sharks - Rays, Sea Lions
A minimum of 6 Dives in 6 Locations. 5 Islands with Santa Cruz Highlands & Charles Darwin Station
Price per pax

Galapagos Island Hopping with Children
Duration: 7 - 9 daysHighlights: Penguins, Sea Lions, Giant Tortoises in the Highlands, Land Iguanas on Seymour, Blue Footed Boobies and Frigate Birds, White Sand Beaches
Child-friendly accommodation and exciting excursions for the whole family including animal encounters on Isabela Island
Price per pax

Copy of Best of Galapagos: Island Hopping (8-10 Days)
Duration: 8 - 10 daysHighlights: Galapagos Island Hopping, Santa Cruz and Isabela, Unique Flora and Fauna, Giant Tortoises in the Highlands, Land Iguanas on Seymour, Blue-Footed Boobies and Frigatebirds, White Sand Beaches, Penguins at the Equator, Hike the Volcano
Galapagos Pro invites you to explore the gorgeous Galapagos Islands, where nature dominates the landscape
Price per pax
✪ Santa Cruz Island Tours ✪

Best Seller: Galapagos Family Tour (from 5 days)
Duration: 4 - 8 daysHighlights: Galapagos Island Hopping, Santa Cruz Island, Unique Flora and Fauna, Giant Tortoises in the Highlands, Land Iguanas on Seymour, Blue-Footed Boobies and Frigatebirds, Tortuga Bay, Bay Tours around Santa Cruz Islands, Charles Darwin Station
5 Days and 4 Nights: Galapagos family tour featuring 4 islands. Family-friendly hotels and excursions
Price per pax

Galapagos Dive Tour: Compact Santa Cruz Return
Duration: 5 - 7 daysHighlights: World Famous Dive Sites, 6 Dives, 5 Islands, Mosquera and Daphne Islands, Charles Darwin Station, Santa Cruz Highlands, Sharks - Rays, Sea Lions
A minimum of 6 Dives in 6 Locations. 5 Islands with Santa Cruz Highlands & Charles Darwin Station
Price per pax

Galapagos Island Hopping with Children
Duration: 7 - 9 daysHighlights: Penguins, Sea Lions, Giant Tortoises in the Highlands, Land Iguanas on Seymour, Blue Footed Boobies and Frigate Birds, White Sand Beaches
Child-friendly accommodation and exciting excursions for the whole family including animal encounters on Isabela Island
Price per pax

Copy of Best of Galapagos: Island Hopping (8-10 Days)
Duration: 8 - 10 daysHighlights: Galapagos Island Hopping, Santa Cruz and Isabela, Unique Flora and Fauna, Giant Tortoises in the Highlands, Land Iguanas on Seymour, Blue-Footed Boobies and Frigatebirds, White Sand Beaches, Penguins at the Equator, Hike the Volcano
Galapagos Pro invites you to explore the gorgeous Galapagos Islands, where nature dominates the landscape
Price per pax

Galapagos Island Hopping for Family Powers
Duration: 4 - 8 daysHighlights: Santa Cruz Island, Seymour Island, Bartolomé, Giant Tortoises in the Highlands, Land Iguanas on Seymour Island, Blue Footed Boobies and Frigate Birds, Tortuga Bay, Santa Cruz Bay Tours, Charles Darwin Station
Intensive Galapagos Tour: 4 Islands beginning in Santa Cruz - Customised hotels and excursions
Price per pax

Galapagos island hopping - mission paradise
Duration: 15 - 15 daysHighlights: San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, Isabela - 7 days, Santa Cruz, English Speaking Guides, Charming Hotels , English Speaking Hosts, Including Domestic Flights, Including Inter-Island Flights, Including Speedboat Tickets, Including Transfers, Excluding Day Excursions, Prebook Your Day Excursions Now
Intensive tour - best route - choose excursions and hotels individually - natural beach on Isabela - german/english
Price per pax

Galapagos Island Hopping - Mission Paradise on a budget
Duration: 12 - 14 daysHighlights: San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, Isabela - 7 days, Santa Cruz, English Speaking Guides, Charming Hotels , English Speaking Hosts, Including Domestic Flights, Including Inter-Island Flights, Including Speedboat Tickets, Including Transfers, Excluding Day Excursions, Prebook Your Day Excursions Now
Galapagos Pro offers 15 days in paradise - best routes, customised excursions and hotels, gorgeous beaches
Price per pax

Galapagos Island Hopping Deluxe: Santa Cruz and Isabela
Duration: 8 - 10 daysHighlights: Ikala Hotel, Iguana Crossing Hotel, Land iguanas on Seymour, Blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds, White sand beaches, Penguins at the equator, Hike the volcano, Expert nature guides, Luxury excursion boats
Luxury abounds in the gorgeous Galapagos Islands, where nature dominates the landscape
Price per pax

Galapagos for Divers - Daily Tours
Duration: 7 - 8 daysHighlights: World Famous Dive Sites, Different Sites Every Day, Night Diving, Optional Land Excursions, Rays, Iguanas and Sharks, From East to West, San Cristóbal to Isabela, Huge Hammerhead Shark Swarms
World class diving sites and pristine beaches. The Galapagos Islands are primed for ticking things off your bucket list.
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Ecuador Amazon and Galapagos: Kayak Tour
Duration: 12 - 16 daysHighlights: Explore the Amazon with Kayaks, Kayking in the Galapagos, Camping, North Seymour Island, Penguins at Isabela Island
Kayaking is like horse-riding but on water! This tour will bring you on an adventure in Ecuador and the Galapagos.
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Adrenaline Rush: Ecuador mountainbiking & Islandhopping
Duration: 12 - 16 daysHighlights: Vocanoe, Amazon Rainforest, Swing at the End of the World, Baños, Camping, Horseback Riding, Llanganates National Park, Bike Tours, Waterfalls at Baños, Hiking at the Cuicocha Lake, North Seymour Island, Pinnacle Rock, Bartolomé, Hiking the Sierra Negra Volcano, Penguins on Isabela Island
Get your heart pumping and keep your mind open - travel Ecuador and Galapagos the adventurous way.
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Galapagos Luxury experience at the Finch Bay hotel
Duration: 7 - 7 daysHighlights: Pure relaxation, Beach hotel, Finch Bay Eco Hotel, Puerto Ayora, Garrapatero beach, Day trips, English speaking naturalist giude
Travel and accomodation on the highest standard
Price per pax

Galapagos Luxury experience at the Finch Bay
Duration: 9 - 9 daysHighlights: Pure relaxation, Finch Bay Eco Hotel, Trips with the Sea Finch, Island Santa Fé / Plazas, Tortuga Bay, All transfers, Full board
Travel and accommodation on the highest standard
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Ecuador- & Galapagos-Reise mit den Profis 2024
Duration: 15 - 15 daysHighlights:
Diese Reise wird von der Galapagos- und Ecuador-Kennerin Beate Zwermann, Gründerin von Galapagos PRO, begleitet.
Price per pax

Galapagos Luxury: Santa Cruz Highlands
Duration: 9 - 10 daysHighlights: Quito Old Town, Galapagos Islands, Pikaia Lodge, Santa Cruz and Bartolomé, Santa Fé and Plaza Sur, Chinese Hat and Mosquera, Charles Darwin Station, Giant tortoises, Hilton Colón Quito Hotel
The Galapagos Islands at their best: Explore the islands and stay in the exceptional Pikaia Lodge in the highlands.
Price per pax