Overview
Santiago Island has steep cliffs that make beautiful backdrops for photographs, as well as providing a perfect home for countless marine birds. 400 years ago pirates would stop here to resupply with fresh water, firewood and meat.
Originally named James Island, honouring the English King James II, Santiago was visited by Charles Darwin as his second port of call when he visited the Galapagos on the Beagle. There he found people living rough on the island catching tortoises for meat and oil. The island has a long history of being raided for its natural resources, including the building of a small salt mine which is now a visitor centre on the island. Santiago began to become more developed in the 1920s when commercial salt mining was attempted, as it was again in the 1960s when the small settlement of Puerto Egas was founded. At some point in the 1800s goats, pigs and donkeys were introduced to Santiago, and this caused massive problems for the native species and their habitats.
Santiago Island enjoys two excellent visitor sites at James Bay on the northwest coast and Sullivan Bay to the southeast. Just behind James Bay there is a wonderful seasonal lagoon which is home to flamingoes and several duck species. Visitors can often catch site of the Galapagos Fur Seals basking at Puerto Egas at the south end of James Bay. Santiago has smaller neighbour islands, some of which have visitor sites like Bartholomew. Others are excellent diving sites for those on approved diving tours.
Photos of Santiago Island
Fast Facts about Santiago Island
- Galapagos Fur Seals enjoy basking off Puerto Egas
- Pirates and buccaneers used Santiago to resupply with water, meat and firewood
- Charles Darwin met tortoise catchers living here when he visited on HMS Beagle
- Flamingos can be seen in the inland lagoon by James Bay
Animals on the island Santiago
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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 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 Penguin
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Galapagos Green Turtle
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Galapagos Fur Seal
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Galapagos Sharks
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Galapagos Sting Rays
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Vermilion Flycatcher
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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 Lava Gull
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Swallow-Tailed Gull
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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
Highlights

Chinese Hat
A lava-strewn landscape with wonderful marine life
Possibile Activities
Hiking, Snorkeling

Buccaneer Cove
Historical pirate anchorage and seabird haven
Possibile Activities
Snorkel, Panga ride, Kayaking

Egas Port
Two hiking trails to see Fur Seals and Hawks
Possibile Activities
Hiking, Snorkeling

Espumilla Beach
Where turtles nest and flamingos gather
Possibile Activities
Hiking, Snorkeling

Sullivan Bay
Recent lava flows and beginnings of plant life
Possibile Activities
Hiking, Snorkeling

Albany Rock
Many crevices and pinnacles to explore
Possibile Activities
Diving

James Bay
A large sheltered bay on the northwest of Santiago
Possibile Activities
Hiking, Snorkeling

Salt Mine Volcano
A brine-filled cone rich with bird life
Possibile Activities
Hiking

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