Santa Cruz Island (Galapagos, Puerto Ayora)

Santa Cruz Island is the Galapagos Islands archipelago's second largest, after Isabela Island. The largest settlement is the Galapagos' capital, Puerto Ayora (population around 12,000).

On the island, there are also several small villages, whose inhabitants are engaged in cattle raising and agriculture. Santa Cruz Island has a large dormant volcano (last eruptions around 1,5 million years ago).

Cruise ships to Santa Cruz Island dock (anchor) at Puerto Ayora, a port town on the southern coast.

Popular island shore excursion destinations are:

• Charles Darwin Research Station
• lava tunnel (length over 2000 m / 6600 ft)
• Los Gemelos holes (translated "The Twins")
• Galapagos National Park Service (headquarters)
• Giant Tortoise Preserves
• Playa las Bachas (beach on the northern coast)
• Caleta Tortuga Negra/Black Turtle Cove (mangrove estuary on the northern coast)
• Cerro Dragon/Hill (on the northwestern coast)
• El Eden (near Puerto Ayora)
• Stand of Scalesia - daisy trees
• Bahia Borrero/Bay (on the northern coast, with a beautiful beach)

Itabaca Channel - separates Santa Cruz and Baltra. It is crossed by water taxis with ferry passengers from Baltra Island.

Tortuga Bay has a 1,6 mi (2,5 km) long walking path (open between 6 am - 6 pm), ~20-minute walk from Puerto Ayora's water taxi dock. Tortuga Bay has a huge beach with volcanic rocks. It is preserved for the wildlife - marine iguanas, Galapagos crabs and tortoises, birds (incl brown pelicans). The bay has a separate cove where swimming is allowed.

In proximity (to the northwest of Santa Cruz) are located two crescent-shaped uninhabited islands called Isla Guy Fawkes.

Santa Cruz Island tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

• Giant Tortoise Reserve tour
• guided walks. snorkeling, sea kayaking, daily lecture on the ship
• visiting Charles Darwin Research Station
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