Overview
Santa Cruz is the second largest Galapagos island, and its most densely populated - thanks to the fact that volcanic activity is long extinct here. Located right in the centre of the archipelago, the name Santa Cruz means “holy cross”, and settlement of the island began in the 1920s and 1930s with the arrival of American and Europeans who were attracted by variety of the island’s geography and wildlife. As well as the main port of Puerto Ayora, the small towns of Bellavista and Santa Rosa were formed in the highlands, where more humid conditions were good for crops like avocados, bananas, coffee, and citrus. Unfortunately all this has left the landscape permanently changed by all these non-native species and by the associated human activity.
Santa Cruz is now the main tourism hub for the whole Galapagos archipelago, thanks to its proximity to the airport on Baltra, just to the north. It is the only island in Galapagos where tourists can easily experience the interior highlands of a Galapagos island. Santa Cruz has the longest paved road in the Galapagos, running north-south across the island to take people from the airport ferry which docks on the north coast to Puerto Ayora on the south coast. With quaint hotels and small seafood restaurants, Puerto Ayora is the starting point for most tours and it offers the biggest range of services to be found anywhere in the Galapagos. Facilities include a hospital, banks, a post office and a radio station. Most of your Galapatours adventures will start here! Because of its large population and it's busy nature it's often assumed by visitors to be the capital of the islands, but in fact that is located on San Cristobal.
Photos of Santa Cruz Island
Fast Facts about Santa Cruz Island
- The unofficial capital of the islands and hub of the tourist industry.
- Santa Cruz boasts the longest paved road in the Galapagos
- The only island where you can visit both the shoreline and the uplands
- The place you will start your Galapatours adventure!
Animals on the island Santa Cruz
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Galapagos Frigatebirds
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Blue-Footed Booby
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Galapagos Sea Lion
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Galapagos Giant Tortoise
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Galapagos Marine Iguana
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Greater Flamingo
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Darwin's Finches
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Galapagos Hawk
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Galapagos Mockingbird
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Nazca Booby
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Galapagos Land Iguana
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Galapagos Green Turtle
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Galapagos Sharks
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Galapagos Sting Rays
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Vermilion Flycatcher
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Galapagos Red Bat
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Galapagos Lava Lizard
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Galapagos Dove
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Galapagos Shearwater
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Galapagos Petrel
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Galapagos Rail
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Galapagos Lava Gull
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Whales & Dolphins
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Brown Pelican
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Great Blue Heron
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Galapagos Lava Heron
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Yellow-crowned Night Heron
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White-cheeked Pintail
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American Oystercatcher
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Galapagos Short-eared Owl
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Galapagos Barn Owl
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Sunfish
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Galapagos Racer Snake
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Mobula Rays
Highlights

Black Turtle Cove
This mangrove-lined cove is only reached by boat
Possibile Activities
Panga ride

Carrion Point
A beautiful setting for watching marine life
Possibile Activities
Snorkeling, Panga Ride, SCUBA diving

Charles Darwin Research Station
World famous center for wildlife research
Possibile Activities
Hiking

Dragon Hill
Where land iguanas have been reintroduced
Possibile Activities
Hiking, Panga ride

Eden Islet
Ancient volcano, rich with life
Possibile Activities
Snorkeling, Panga Ride

El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve
A famous place to see Giant Tortoises in the wild
Possibile Activities
Hiking

Santa Cruz Highlands
See every habitat the Galapagos has to offer
Possibile Activities
Hiking

Ballena, or Whale Bay
Landing site for early whalers and pirates
Possibile Activities
Hiking, Snorkeling

Carrion Point Dive Site
Classic Galapagos site with abundant life
Possibile Activities
Diving
First Dive Check
Confirm weights and check equipment
Possibile Activities
Check Dive

Tortuga Bay Beach
Beautiful white sand beach
Possibile Activities
Hiking, Surfing, Beach

Twin Craters
Los Gemelos provide an extraordinary view
Possibile Activities
Hiking

Bachas Beach
A major nesting site for Galapagos green turtles
Possibile Activities
Hiking, Snorkeling

Hacienda Primicias Tortoise Reserve
See Giant Tortoises in the wild
Possibile Activities
Hiking

Puerto Ayora
The biggest town in Galapagos
Possibile Activities
Embarking watertaxis+ships
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