Santa Cruz Island
Why you should visit Santa Cruz
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Bring a torch and walk through lava tubes on the island for a volcanic adventure!
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'Gemelos’ (twin sink holes) make for a head spinning experience dropping 30 feet
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Visit the Charles Darwin Research Centre to learn more about conservation projects
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On Las Bachas beach identify track marks left by the beach’s residents!
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Lookout for the well camouflaged Land Iguanas around Cerro Dragon
Our specialists 'Must Do'
You have got a lot to explore, the question is what to do first! The lava tubes, large tunnels formed when the liquid magma stopped flowing, offer a surreal and unique experience to head underground and enter the darkness. Be sure to take a torch and if you’re lucky you may spot a barn owl. Over 30 metres deep ‘Los Gemelos’ are twin sink holes caused by a drop in the land over a fault line, a dramatic feature in the landscape and a good location to see Galapagos Hawk and other bird species.
The Charles Darwin Research station is an easy walk from Puerto Ayora, an interesting place to get a good introduction to the islands and see the giant tortoise breeding programme.
A little more about Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is the second largest island in the Galapagos and has the largest human population living mainly in the town of Puerto Ayora.
The island is thought to have been formed in two parts, north and south. The northern section is the older part, created due to an uplift of land, you can see the layers of marine sediment and limestone as evidence of this process. The southern younger part of the island was formed through volcanic cones and lava, the landscape is often likened to that of the moon with craters, cones and tuffs.
The vaired landscape means the island has different altitude levels and it has developed seven different micro climates which have allowed vegetation to thrive and support its inhibitors.
The island is also home to Giant Tortoise (including Lonesome George!), Sea Lions, flamingos, Marine Iguana, Lava Heron, Boobies and Land Iguanas. By heading up to the highlands surrounded by Scalesia trees, cacti and ferns you will have the opportunity to see the Giant Tortoise thriving in this lush green scenery. Some can reach the grand old age of 200 years and weigh up to 250kg.
Further north, towards Las Bachas you will find white sandy beaches and if you take a closer look you’ll see Marine Iguana and turtle trails created by their climb out of the sea onto the beach. You may also see the iconic Blue footed boobies that tend to stand on the rock edge keeping a look out.
Travelling west you will come to Cerro Dragon - one of the only spots in the Galapagos where you will be able to see Land Iguanas.
When to go
The Galapagos is a year round destination with two seasons; the hot wet season which runs from December to May and the dry cooler season which runs from June to December. In the wet season the island is lush and green and the waters are slightly warmer, where as in the cooler dry season the islands are transformed, desert like, trees lose their leaves and turn white.
For talk further about Santa Cruz Island, or for advice on your holiday in the Galapagos Islands, please contact Emma Byrne, our Galapagos specialist on 01285 885 333.