What to Do, The place to Eat, & The place to Keep on Santa Cruz

Barking sea lions. Crystal swimming pools tucked between volcanic cliffs. Big tortoises. Contemporary, scorching seafood. Santa Cruz Island is among the Galapagos’ most populated islands, and the central city of Puerto Ayora is as near bustling as you’ll discover within the Galapagos: docks ship ferries to and from different islands, eating places and scorching kiosks tucked into hidden alleys promote grilled and fried fish, and tortoises roam the cooler inland air of the elevated Highlands.

Santa Cruz is dwelling to most of the Galapagos’ greatest points of interest, actions, and academic alternatives. It’s a must-visit whether or not you’re planning a land-based Galapagos journey or stopping by on a cruise – like, actually you possibly can’t miss it: you’ll both fly right here or cease right here on a cruise.

Years in the past, we printed the story of our go to to Santa Cruz, Galapagos. It’s an incredible put up and enjoyable to learn, however in typical 2016-travel-blog vogue, it’s not terribly helpful. So we created this put up: a definitely-very-useful journey information that can make it easier to plan your go to to Santa Cruz, Galapagos!

Psst: Planning a visit to the Galapagos Islands? Check out these different posts that will help you plan:

We’ve additionally created an in depth 20-page downloadable information to visiting the Galapagos Islands. Join beneath to get the information ship straight to your inbox! 

Find out how to Get to Santa Cruz, Galapagos

There are solely two methods to get to Santa Cruz, Galapagos: by air or by ferry.

Santa Cruz’s airport known as Baltra, and also you’ll have the ability to fly right here from Quito or Guayaquil.

When you arrive, everybody will board the shuttle to the docks. Santa Cruz Island is a free 5-minute ferry journey from the Baltra docks. From the docks on the Santa Cruz facet it’s a couple of 45 minute drive into Puerto Ayora.

To get to Puerto Ayora from the airport, you possibly can take a white pick-up truck taxi – you’ll discover many ready dockside. The worth is ready, however everybody goes the identical path, so don’t be afraid to separate a taxi with one other traveler!

The less expensive choice is to take a bus, additionally positioned dockside. There are restricted airline arrivals every day, so count on to attend a short time for the bus to refill absolutely earlier than it leaves. The bus will take you to the market on the heart of city, about half a mile from the ocean and most motels/hostels.

In the event you’re coming from the opposite essential island within the Galapagos, San Cristobal, you’ll take one of many twice-daily ferries to Puerto Ayora. It’s greatest to buy your tickets at the least a day prematurely as their seats are restricted – you possibly can ebook your ticket on-line on Bookaway. The journey is about 2 hours. Pop a Dramamine earlier than you permit to move off seasickness!

Suggestions for Visiting Santa Cruz, Galapagos

Santa Cruz Island is among the 3 inhabited islands within the Galapagos – however though it’s a populated island, it’s nonetheless stuffed with wildlife – the magic of the Galapagos!

The primary city in Santa Cruz is the coastal port city of Puerto Ayora, the place you’ll discover loads of motels, eating places, and the entire comforts you’d count on from a small island city (don’t get too fancy, although. The web will be spotty. Some nights, we couldn’t even watch Netflix! I do know, stunning). Santa Cruz can also be dwelling to one of many two airports within the Galapagos Islands, so there’s probability you’ll both by flying into or out of right here.

Round each nook is one other alternative to see brightly coloured crabs, snoozing sea lions, and cuddling marine iguanas. You’ll discover many of one of the best eating places, motels, and day excursions in Puerto Ayora.

• Most locations in Ecuador don’t settle for bank cards, or cost further to take action. The Galapagos Islands are not any exception: money is king. Fortunately, there are ATMs galore on Puerto Ayora and a great deal of outlets, eating places and bars to spend your money in! Top off on money right here, as a result of among the different islands like Isla Isabela have NO ATM’s in any respect.

• Convey sunscreen with you from the mainland. It’s insanely costly right here, and also you’ll want it for the additional sturdy rays as a result of proximity to the Equator. Be sure that to deliver reef-safe sunscreen for whenever you’ll be within the water, to guard the coral reef and different marine wildlife that reside within the Galapagos!
• There’s a big grocery retailer proper by the principle dock on the town, the place we picked up groceries for snacks and breakfast. You can too pop to the highest ground for an inexpensive espresso and pastry with a sea view. However remember that most motels received’t have a kitchen.
• We advocate reserving accomodations and a few excursions on-line prematurely. You possibly can ebook your Puerto Ayora excursions as quickly as you arrive on the island and also you’ll avoid wasting cash this fashion, however there’s additionally probability you received’t have the ability to do each tour you’d like as there’s a restricted variety of areas obtainable and excursions are topic to strict laws. Plus, it’s simply type of irritating to not know what you’ll be doing till you arrive! (We discovered this from expertise.) In the event you do wait to ebook in individual, simply discover any tour operator – their workplaces are throughout city – or go to the kiosk close to the docks. Remember that you simply’ll have to pay on your day excursions upfront with money.

One choice I want we’d recognized throughout our journey is that you could find some nice multi-day land based mostly excursions with set itineraries, which takes an enormous quantity of planning off your shoulders! 

Listed here are just a few implausible choices:

• 7-day Galapagos on a Price range Expertise: This itinerary intently mirrors our journey. You’ll go to each Santa Cruz and Isabela Island and take what we’d contemplate to be one of the best excursions on every. At simply round $1,500 per individual, it’s not rather more than what we paid and a implausible worth for every week lengthy Galapagos journey.
• 5 Day Galapagos Tour: In the event you’re quick on time or cash, this 5-day choice for just below $1,000 is nice. You’ll keep on Santa Cruz however nonetheless get an opportunity to go to Isabela Island on a day journey and expertise Las Tintoreras, one of the best Isabela tour.
• 8-Day Galapagos Island Tour: If San Cristobal and snorkelling at Kicker Rock are in your bucket record, this 8-day tour is your greatest guess! You’ll go to all 3 inhabited islands and do one of the best excursions in every.

Santa Cruz, Galapagos: Issues to Do

Puerto Ayora is the essential hub for the Galapagos Islands, and dwelling base to do the Galapagos with no cruise. There are lots of actions you are able to do on the island itself, plus a great deal of day journeys and excursions.

For the complete story of our go to to Santa Cruz Island – errors, mishaps, and all – head over to this put up.

Go to the Fish Market

The Puerto Ayora fish market is a must-see and completely captures the magic of the Galapagos Islands. Sure, it’s one of the best place on the island to buy freshly caught seafood (should you’re fortunate sufficient to have a kitchen to play with, that is very thrilling!), however it’s additionally simply, like, a vibe. For one factor, there’s Lupe.

Lupe the Sea Lion is a daily on the Puerto Ayora fish market. She positions herself behind the counter instantly beneath the slicing board, the place she is aware of she’ll get fed scraps and pores and skin from the contemporary fish fillets all day lengthy! She’s like a pet canine that’s additionally an lovable sea lion. We would like one!! 

You’ll additionally discover a small crowd of hovering pelicans and herons, and generally napping sea lions as nicely. Be sure that to cease by through the week when it’s open!

Snorkel in Las Grietas

Las Grietas is a gorgeous clear pool between two sheer volcanic cliff faces – therefore the identify, which suggests “The Crevices.” Throughout noon when the solar is excessive, the pool is a brilliant, clear blue, and the solar’s rays sparkle all the best way to the underside of the deep pool, making for unimaginable images and views. You possibly can bounce off the dock into the water should you like, and climb up the cliffs to leap from the rocks should you dare! Las Grietas is one of the best snorkeling on Santa Cruz Island by far. 

To get to Las Grietas from Puerto Ayora, take a water taxi from the docks and ask for Punta Estrada or simply say you’re going to Las Grietas – they’ll know what you imply. It’s a ridiculously quick journey and the water taxi is underneath $1.

When you’re dropped off, you’ll stroll previous a flowery lodge and a few high-end bars and eating places (that is the costly facet of Puerto Ayora). Stroll alongside the boardwalk (it’s the solely choice so that you can stroll on, so that you received’t get misplaced). The boardwalk will take you previous Punta Estrada, a small cove the place you possibly can swim, with a seashore throughout low tide.

Hold strolling down the boardwalk previous some fascinating pink-tinged salt flats. After about quarter-hour you’ll attain Las Grietas! Hold strolling down the boardwalk till you get to the doorway the place you sign up and wait on your flip to enter with a information (it’s possible you’ll wait 15-10 minutes to go along with an even bigger group). tl;dr comply with the one path till it ends. Straightforward sufficient, proper?

Listed here are just a few suggestions for visiting Las Grietas:

• There are literally 3 swimming pools in Las Grietas and two entrances. Your information decides which entrance you’ll go to, and that’s the place you enter, however you possibly can climb via to the opposite ones. Swim all the best way to the top of the primary pool, climb (rigorously!) over the rocks, and swim via the second pool to entry the hidden third pool. To get to it you’ll both must rigorously climb over extra rocks (seriously, watch out. Jeremy slipped and reduce his foot right here) or take a deep breath, dive down, and swim via the underwater cave. When there are not any folks within the pool, there are lots of of fish swimming on this part undisturbed, and it’s completely unimaginable.
• Head to Las Grietas round midday to beat the cruise crowds and catch essentially the most sparkly, sunny hours.  When the cruises present up they make tons of noise and scare away all of the fish. You’ll wish to filter out by 5pm.
• Your go to is restricted to 90 minutes, however when you’ve completed, you possibly can stroll again and cease at Playa de los Alemanes and spend the remainder of the afternoon and sundown there, so pack loads of water and snacks.
• Snorkeling at Playa de los Alemanes, which you’ll stroll previous in your option to Las Grietas, is usually a blended bag, however if you’re eager to attempt, then intention for the mangroves in your proper to see sharks at excessive tide, or swim proper out to the furthest rocks to search out sea snakes at low tide.

Go to the Kiosks

The Kiosks/Los Kioskos are one of the best place to eat in Puerto Ayora. The Kiosks are a seafood alley: a road lined with small, locally-owned eating places all cooking variations of extremely contemporary, regionally caught seafood bought from the fish market earlier within the day.

You’ll hear scorching from the charcoal parillas and scent smoky, grilled fish lengthy earlier than you stumble throughout this little alley.

When you arrive, you’ll discover the road full of tables, blissful vacationers, and locals mingling among the many numerous kiosks, all of whom are promoting a variation of the identical gadgets, loudly proffered by servers thrusting menus and complete uncooked fish underneath your nostril, all accompanied by the sizzle and tantalizing scent of charcoal-grilled fish.

That is Puerto Ayora’s culinary specialty: an enormous smokey charcoal grill, the Picallada, constructed like a chimney and stoked with blow dryers to remain sizzling all evening lengthy.

All the things from contemporary complete fish rubbed with spices and nestled in tin foil, to octopus laid instantly on the grill for an ideal char and sear, to the effervescent seafood casserole in clay bowls, to sizzling buttered ears of corn, are all smoked and roasted on that very same grill. And it’s freaking scrumptious.

Strolling via the alley is slightly like sporting a bulls-eye in your brow: each step you’re taking, somebody arms you a menu or a fish or lists a number of gadgets and their costs at you, all in rapid-fire Spanish. However actually, you possibly can’t go mistaken: choose anyplace, and order no matter they advocate. It’ll be nice.

Our favourite half about Los Kioskos? The very best meals in Puerto Ayora can also be essentially the most finances pleasant! An entire brujo fish to share is $15 at Sol y Mar, one in every of our favourite kiosks in seafood alley. Their grilled and fried complete fish, grilled octopus, seafood cazuela, sopa de queso (scrumptious cheese soup) and numerous batidos (fruit milkshakes) are all glorious.

The kioscos are positioned at Baltra & Charles Binford. It’s simple to stroll from anyplace on the town. You can too all the time take an inexpensive pickup truck taxi. If you might want to, ask any native for assist discovering los kioskos – they’ll all know. 

Go to the Charles Darwin Analysis Station

The Charles Darwin Analysis Station in Santa Cruz is much less of a station and extra of a fancy: the principle constructing is full of info and some small reveals, however the principle points of interest are all outdoors.

Turtles are bred in a bit of the middle right here, referred to as the Fausto Llerena Breeding Middle. Every massive island within the Galapagos has its personal land turtle breeding heart, we discovered. Whereas the turtles are raised in captivity, they’re launched again into the wild as adults. Some of the profitable conservation packages on the planet, greater than 7,000 tortoises have been launched again into the wild from this heart.

And sure – you possibly can see lovable child turtles right here!

As we watched large outdated tortoises munch on turtle snacks and slowly chase one another round, we discovered that for years, the tortoise breeding heart tried its greatest to supply offspring that will proceed the survival of a tortoise species with just one present member: Lonesome George.

Sadly, lack of awareness of tortoise lineage result in a deadly flaw: the females being mated with Lonesome George had been hybrid species, which means that they may not efficiently mate with the outdated tortoise.

He died just a few years in the past, taking his whole species with him.

Fortunately, advances in tortoise breeding have made it doable to resurrect this species from extinction: by breeding tortoises containing a excessive share of the genes of Lonesome George’s species, after just a few generations a completely genetically equivalent tortoise will probably be born!

That’s some Jurassic Park sh**, proper there. Science is so cool.

Together with tortoises, you possibly can spy land and marine iguanas basking close to the middle. There are additionally some trails winding via the vegetation to the seashore. However that’s about it – mood your expectations! It is a scientific analysis and conservation heart, not a zoo.

• You’ll discover the Charles Darwin Analysis Station on the finish of the principle avenue in Puerto Ayora, Charles Darwin Avenue. From the docks, stroll for about 20 minutes in the other way. Straightforward!
• You’ll want to point out your Nationwide Park entry ticket (given to you on the airport) for entry to the station.
• You’ll have to pay $10 per individual on the entrance and an area information will accompany you.

Eat & Drink in Puerto Ayora

The primary stretch of Puerto Ayora is one of the best place to cease for a meal, a drink, or a nightcap! Listed here are just a few of one of the best locations to eat and drink in Puerto Ayora:

• Strive a typical native breakfast at Tropic Chicken Cafe: dealing with the ocean proper subsequent to the fish market, this $5 breakfast and lunch spot is definitely extremely popular with the locals. Strive an encebollado with chifle, fish soup with a facet of fried plantain chips to crush up within the soup.
• The very best espresso in Puerto Ayora will be discovered at 1835 Espresso Lab, a roastery serving regionally grown Galapagos espresso. 
• You’ll discover loads of locations to get drinks for Joyful Hour alongside Charles Darwin avenue, the principle road in Puerto Ayora. Stroll via round sundown to benefit from one of the best 2-for-1 drink gives!
• The very best ice cream after an extended day on the seashore is Galapagos Deli. One scoop is biiiiig and two are an excessive amount of, however we have now a tip for you: You possibly can ask for 2 flavors in a single scoop, so attempt creamy chocolate with an area fruit, reminiscent of Mora, the regionally grown blackberry.
• For a small and low-cost dinner, stroll as much as the market (nook of Avenida Baltra and Islas Duncan) from 6pm onwards for empanadas. Two stalls serve savory and candy (Nutella and banana – suuuuuper heavy however so yummy) empanadas for $1.5-2.5, with salads juice or the normal colada morada, a thick drink from cornflour, pineapple juice and berries ($1).
• If you wish to splurge on a flowery foodie meal, the fanciest restaurant on the town is the Finch Bay Restaurant on the Finch Bay Lodge, essentially the most luxurious lodge on the island. Dine a-la-carte or go for an outstanding 7-course tasting menu – for underneath $100, it’s a splurge however nonetheless an wonderful worth. Take pleasure in an unimaginable culinary expertise in a surprising setting, looking over the sundown as waves lap the shore.

Swim in Tortuga Bay

Tortuga Bay is called as some of the stunning seashores in Ecuador, however it’s due to its pristine white sand, not as a result of it’s teeming with turtles. Additionally, the visibility within the water was terrible for snorkeling. We kayaked across the bay on the lookout for rays, sharks, and turtles, and solely managed to see just a few tiny fish.

It was, nevertheless, an incredible seashore day, which was definitely worth the journey even when the snorkeling wasn’t! We advocate spending a day stress-free on the seashore, swimming, and kayaking in Tortuga Bay.

To get to Tortuga Bay, you possibly can take a water taxi ($10 every means) that goes across the perimeter of the island to and from Puerto Ayora. You possibly can catch one on the essential docks in Puerto Ayora. Verify timetables although or it’s possible you’ll miss the final one and find yourself strolling.

Nevertheless, we expect the greatest option to get to Tortuga Bay from Puerto Ayora is by strolling. From the Puerto Ayora pier, cross the principle street and attain Baltra Avenue. It’s a crimson cobblestone road with a motorcycle lane. Stroll 2 blocks and also you’ll attain Charles Binford Road. Flip proper. Comply with Charles Binford Road out of city till you attain the top of the road, after about 10 minutes.

On the finish of the road is a staircase up a brief hill. On the prime of the hill is slightly kiosk the place you’ll sign up to enter the park.

From the kiosk is a clean cobblestone path – stroller pleasant, we noticed just a few households – that you simply’ll stroll down for about 45 minutes. It’s not the prettiest stroll until you get pleasure from seeing the identical cactus and stubbly tree surroundings for 45 minutes.

You’ll attain the seashore and be rewarded with an extremely stunning view. The water right here is just too harmful for swimming, so there’s often no one right here. Flip proper and stroll down the seashore for a surprising 15 or so minutes till you attain the top of the seashore.

To your left are some rocks the place you possibly can see nesting marine iguanas and watch turtles swim within the open ocean. In the event you come throughout low tide, there’s a secluded little seashore with shade from the place you possibly can see the mile-long Tortuga Bay in its entirety.

To the appropriate you’ll discover Tortuga Bay – search for folks swimming and sunbathing on the shore of a giant horseshoe-shaped bay!

Stroll to the top of Tortuga Bay and comply with the trail to the appropriate to get to Playa Mansa, the calm, lagoon-like a part of the seashore the place you possibly can lastly discover shade and – if you’re fortunate on a quiet day – spot little sharks within the shallow water.

Listed here are just a few suggestions for visiting Tortuga Bay:

• Pack in the whole lot you have to for the day as there’s nowhere to purchase something on the seashore. We advise bringing tons of sunscreen and solar safety (the solar is way stronger right here on the equator!), loads of water (bear in mind you could have an extended sunny hike to and from Tortuga Bay), a packed lunch and snacks, bathroom paper (there isn’t a toilet, however you could find a spot should you want one within the bushes), a towel, and naturally your swimsuit!
• The water is comfy for swimming with no wetsuit and is fairly shallow throughout low tide.
• We rented snorkel gear for $14 and schlepped it together with us on the stroll, however it positively wasn’t price it – this isn’t snorkel spot. There are imagined to be reef sharks, rays, and turtles within the water, however it’s deep and murky and you may’t see something.
• We rented kayaks for $20 an hour from the lone vendor on the seashore. We tried to snorkel in numerous spots within the bay that had been too far to swim to, however that didn’t pan out. If you get pleasure from kayaking only for the sake of it, hire a kayak. In any other case, you possibly can skip the kayak rental. In case you are fairly assured in your swimming skills, swim out slightly farther from the seashore and you’ll begin seeing turtles within the water.
• You possibly can see iguanas throughout low tide on the principle stretch of the seashore in addition to sunbathing on the very finish of the seashore earlier than attending to Playa Mansa. You can too discover turtles by strolling left on the finish of the seashore to the little lookout product of lava stones the place you possibly can see them swimming within the water.

Go to a Big Tortoise Reserve

You’re not going to go to Galapagos with out seeing its most well-known inhabitant, proper?

When you might spot them on the facet of the street or go to a breeding heart, you possibly can see them in all their glory (and gigantic measurement!) at a tortoise reserve – additionally referred to as a tortoise ranch, although not in the identical sense we imply it within the States – within the Highlands, the inland a part of Santa Cruz Island that sits at about 2,000 ft of elevation greater than the coast. The air up right here is cooler, which makes it the right habitat for tortoises!

Plus, you’ll get an opportunity to see lava tunnels, too – and you may even crawl via them.

There are two essential ranches to select from, each value $5 (which features a information to point out you round) and have a restaurant and café do you have to need a snack or lunch overlooking tortoise.

You possibly can ebook a day journey to a tortoise reserve (which additionally contains lava tunnels) on-line, which is the best option to go to as your transportation will all be taken care of.

Or, should you choose the cheaper DIY route, to get to the tortoise ranches you’ll take a bus from Puerto Ayora to Santa Rosa ($1-1.5) after which stroll (plan 90 minutes) following the one path within the village and switch left on the signal to the ranches. Comply with the street and on the finish, flip left for Primicias (farther away) and proper for El Chato. When you get in Santa Rosa, you too can hope to discover a taxi to take you the remainder of the best way. 

You can too hire a motorcycle and cycle to Santa Rosa (you higher be in superb form and cycle recurrently) or pop the bike on the bike rack on the bus to Santa Rose, then bike the remainder of the best way there.

Alternatively, you possibly can take a taxi ($40 spherical journey) which is able to anticipate you there.

Listed here are some suggestions for visiting tortoise ranches:

• El Chato has three small lava tunnels, so you can begin with a shorter one and work your means as much as the longer, darker ones (in case you get claustrophobic!). Primicias has one, virtually a mile-long tunnel with no means of exiting earlier or turning round.
• Don’t put on your greatest garments — you’ll be strolling via excessive grass, crawling into an empty tortoise shell, and strolling round muddy fields, so be ready!
• Convey a sweater and/or raincoat; even when it’s sunny on the coast, it may get very moist up within the higher-elevation highlands. And produce socks! It helps keep away from ant bites within the tall grass. Plus if it’s muddy, the ranches provides you with rainboots.

Swings at Highland Views

Highland Views is a farm inland – within the greater elevation, cooler a part of Santa Cruz island generally known as the Highlands – that’s open to vacationers ($5). Right here you possibly can stroll across the farm and take un beautiful views that stretch all the best way throughout the island to the ocean, befriend and feed livestock, and see an illustration of how they make sugarcane juice. However the true draw are what Instagrammable goals are constituted of: swings! 

How loopy you wish to go on the swing is as much as you: there are not any guidelines – and no security belts. Arise or just sit; both means, the primary second you swing your ft ahead and overlook the complete island and see all the best way to Santa Fe is exhilarating.

Tip: You’ll get one of the best image in case your photographer stands on the facet of the large posts holding the swing.

Oh, and don’t neglect to relax within the hammock and pet the canine earlier than you permit!

• To get to Highland Views, you possibly can take a taxi for $15. Or for the cheaper and extra adventurous route, catch a bus from the nook of Baltra Avenue and Isla Duncan to El Cascajo for $1 – there’s one within the morning and one after lunch. From Cascajo, stroll again down the hill you got here up with and also you’ll discover the trail as much as Highland Views.

Garrapatero Seaside

Garrapatero Seaside is a hidden gem within the Galapagos – a surprising quiet seashore (besides on weekends) the place you possibly can swim and kayak within the crystal clear water, chill out on the comfortable white sand, or stroll alongside the seashore laced with volcanic lava rock.

There’s not a lot to see within the water, so depart your snorkel gear at your lodge, however the panorama is beautiful. Spend all day sitting within the shade, watching the pelicans on the water and leaping within the waves. And preserve a watch out for flamingos!

Plan for an all-day tour and pack a lunch to deliver with you (we advocate a pulled pork sandwich from Island Deli). There’s a rest room and altering space obtainable right here, so you possibly can bathe earlier than you head again.

• To get to Garrapatero Seaside, you possibly can take a taxi from Puerto Ayora (about $20 every means) – you’ll want to allow them to know you’ll want a return journey. So as to add a scenic vista, negotiate on your taxi to drive you again by way of the highlands. It prices slightly extra, the views are price it as you come back dwelling. You’ll additionally get an opportunity to breathe within the cool, high-altitude, air for some time – a refreshing change after an extended day on the seashore!
• You can too hire bikes on the town ($10-15, ask for a lock) and bike there, slightly underneath 5 miles (put together for hills). You’ll cease at the least twice to benefit from the view and snap pics, or simply as a result of there’s a tortoise on the street. For the best way again, ebook a taxi prematurely ($20) as there is no such thing as a sign and the best way again is STEEP!

Santa Fe Island Day Journey 

We took the Santa Fe Island day tour from Puerto Ayora. The tour was over 8 hours lengthy: we left at 8am and returned at 5pm.

First, we spent over an hour stress-free on a seashore. Not one of the group knew we had been going to be parked at a seashore for over an hour, so no one had introduced something to do, blankets, sun shades, and so on – we had been all ready to simply hop within the ocean and snorkel. There was loads of grumbling and tedium. I spent an hour constructing a sand fortress. There are worse methods to waste time, however I do want we’d had some advance discover.

Subsequent we went to a rocky cliff face to snorkel. The present was extremely sturdy; that is not your common stress-free snorkeling and swimming was troublesome! We did see some fairly fish – the water was deeper than a lot of the different excursions we went on.

After snorkeling, we went to a different space, a brilliant blue lagoon, the place we lastly had been in a position to swim with sea lions alongside the rocks the place they lay stress-free. Then a supplied lunch, then one other non-compulsory hour for swimming, after which an odd half-hour of our boat making an attempt to catch fish for the subsequent day’s lunch; then lastly we returned.

The very best a part of this tour was that it wasn’t rushed; we weren’t always having to maintain up with a bunch or all trailing the identical animals. Additionally, there are 3 separate areas, 2 of which have distinctive snorkeling alternatives, so it wasn’t repetitive or boring in any respect.

Listed here are some suggestions for the Santa Fe tour:

• In the event you do that tour, do it earlier in your journey as you’re unlikely to see a lot that’s new and thrilling should you’ve already been snorkeling lots.
• You possibly can ebook the Santa Fe tour on-line prematurely, or ebook on the docks when you arrive.
• Our tour didn’t embody wetsuits, however the water is frigid. Hire wetsuits at any company on the town for the day.
• The supplied masks had been poorly made – two of the air tubes, together with mine, fell off within the ocean. We had been then requested to pay for the misplaced tubes (I politely refused). But one more reason why we advocate bringing your personal snorkeling gear as a part of our Galapagos Packing Listing.
• Convey one thing to do through the hour you’ll spend on the seashore, like a ebook in a dry bag or some waterproof playing cards or a towel to take a seat on.

Seymour Island Day Journey

 On this all-day tour you’re more likely to see frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, and swallow-tailed gulls as you hike across the island. Then, you’ll go swimming and snorkeling with sea lions. You would spot flamingos and sharks, too!

That is an all-day, 8 hour day journey that leaves at 8 am. As soon as picked up, you’ll drive for about an hour to Itabaca Canal earlier than boarding your boat.

You’ll head to an space to hike and stroll round, in addition to go to a blue-footed boobies nest – should you’re fortunate, you’ll see them doing awkward little courtship dances throughout mating season! You’ll go to Las Bachas Seaside for snorkelling and swimming earlier than heading again to your lodge.

Lunch, snorkel gear, and a wetsuit are supplied.

In the event you’re not visiting Isla Isabela, this may be your solely probability to see blue-footed boobies – and people foolish little birds are nicely definitely worth the tour. In any other case, you would possibly wish to wait till you possibly can take the Los Tuneles tour on Isabela Island, which is similiar.

You possibly can ebook this tour on-line prematurely, or when you arrive in Puerto Ayora at any native tour operator or on the kiosk by the docks.

Santa Cruz, Galapagos Resorts: The place to Keep

There are many motels on Santa Cruz Island positioned in Puerto Ayora, starting from cheap to extra luxurious. Anticipate decently sized non-public rooms with non-public loos, sizzling water, towels, drinkable water, and the works for round $50-70 an evening, or a bit greater should you choose to incorporate breakfast.

Listed here are our picks near the principle stretch of Puerto Ayora:

• Mid-Vary Lodge: Sueno Silvestres is positioned near the Charles Darwin analysis heart and some blocks away from the seashore & essential road of Puerto Ayora in a pleasant quiet and personal space. Our room was giant, sizzling water was plentiful, there have been free towels and drinkable water supplied, and the proprietor Carlos was pleasant and welcoming. Breakfast is out there for an additional payment.
• Trip Rental: This spacious trendy loft has ocean views EVERYWHERE – from the lounge, the non-public balcony. This sunny little condo nestled within the treetops is only a 5-minute stroll away from the principle city stretch – AND it’s underneath $100/evening!

• Price range-Pleasant Hostel: Hostal Vista al Mar has dorm rooms (together with all-female rooms) and a visitor kitchen and a backyard for $15-20/evening. That’s a tremendous worth for the Galapagos!

Most motels in Santa Cruz are positioned inside a 10-minute stroll from the docks, kiosks, and grocery shops in Puerto Ayora. However just a few pricier, extra luxurious motels are positioned on the Punta Estrada Waterfront close to the quiet Alemanes Seaside. It’s a brief water taxi journey again to the principle stretch in Puerto Ayora. (And really near Las Grietas!)

Listed here are our picks for the place to remain in Punta Estrada:

• Finch Bay Lodge is arms down the nicest lodge in Santa Cruz.  Assume luxurious the whole lot. There’s even a personal dock with a personal yacht for company. Facilities embody free Wi-Fi, A/C, a beautiful swimming pool and restaurant, and a pier with yachts to go to the islands. Breakfast with bacon, sausages, pancakes, contemporary fruits and eggs is served every day.
• Lodge Angermeyer Waterfront Inn is in a picturesque lodge product of lava stones and driftwood. Big home windows overlook the ocean as you dine in your included breakfast or get pleasure from a cocktail by the hearth.  Sunbathe, chill, or snorkel on the non-public waterfront!

Psst: Planning a visit to the Galapagos Islands? Check out these different posts that will help you plan:

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