Santa Cruz Island (Infatigable) is the second largest island of the Galapagos archipelago, with an area of 986 km2. Its highest point is Cerro Crocker, at 864 meters. Santa Cruz has the largest population in the Galapagos Islandsespecially the town of Puerto Ayora on the south coast. With about 20,000 inhabitants, it is the largest human settlement of the islands and offers some tourist facilities. If you are looking for activities to do in Santa Cruz, here is the perfect article for you. here .
The city's harbor is named after the "Academy of the Bay", in honor of the Academy ship that arrived there in 1905 with an expedition sent by the California Academy of Sciences. Today, the harbor is very popular among sailors, but also among the sea lions and pelicans. The public jetty is a good place to watch frigate birds and blue-footed boobies fishing in the inner anchorage of 'Las Ninfas' and Pelican Bay, especially when fishermen are cleaning their catch.
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Charles Darwin Interpretation Center – Santa Cruz
In 1959, on the occasion of the centenary of the publication of On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin, the government of Ecuador and the International Charles Darwin Foundation, with the support of the UNESCO, established the Charles Darwin Station in Academy Bay, near Puerto Ayora. While most visitors to the Galapagos come here to see and appreciate the natural wonders, it is also interesting to learn about the protection and conservation of the islands. One of the main attractions is the Van Straelen exhibition hall. The museum informs interested travelers with exhibits on climate and geography and provides insight into the evolution of flora and fauna.
Species protection
In this turtle conservation enclosure, the hatchlings are lovingly cared for. As soon as they are strong enough, they are prepared for repatriation. From small and young to robust older turtles – by sharing their natural habitat, it is possible to observe these fascinating heavyweights up close. The most famous among them was „Lonesome George“, whose island companions are extinct (there are a total of 11 subspecies on the Galapagos Islands). Numerous attempts to mate him with a female turtle failed, and sadly, he passed away on June 24, 2012, leaving his species extinct. His body was embalmed and is now exhibited at the Charles Darwin Station in memory of the joy he brought to the island’s visitors.
A major problem for the tortoise population and some other species are the animals introduced by colonists, such as goats, pigs, cats and rats. They endanger the existence of endemic species, to the point that the national park staff does everything possible to eliminate them. Next to the visitor center you can explore the arid Galapagos vegetation, composed of cacti, mangroves and thorny bushes, where many land birds live.
Requirements to enter Santa Cruz Island in Galapagos
The requirements to enter Santa Cruz Island are similar to the requirements to enter the Galapagos Islands. We leave you a brief summary here.
For Ecuadorian travelers:
- ID or Passport: Ecuadorian nationals can enter the Galapagos Islands by presenting their identity card or passport.
- Lodging reservation and/or letter of invitation: Accommodation reservation and/or letter of invitation: A reservation of accommodation in Galapagos may be required as part of the entry requirements. It may also be useful to have a letter of invitation if you are staying in someone's home.
For foreigners:
- Valid passport: Foreigners must present a valid passport when entering Galapagos.
- Tourist Visa: Most foreigners do not need a tourist visa to enter Ecuador, but it is important to check if your nationality requires a visa and, if so, obtain one in advance.
- Migratory Control Card: Upon arrival in the Galapagos, foreign visitors must complete a Migration Control Card, which is usually provided during the flight or upon arrival at the airport.
- Return air ticket: You may be required to present a return air ticket to your country of origin or departure from the Galapagos Islands as part of the entry requirements.
- Accommodation reservation: Similar to nationals, some places may require an accommodation reservation as part of the documents required for entry.
SANTA CRUZ ISLAND HIGHLANDS
Especially suggestive and a must for every visitor to the Galapagos is the Santa Cruz highlands, in the middle of the island. The highlands are characterized by extinct volcanoes and the extraordinary plants found there. When the weather is good (unpredictable), this area offers year-round splendid landscapes of hills and extinct volcanic cones, covered with lush and abundant vegetation. In addition to ferns and one-meter-high Myconia shrubs, Scalesia forests can also be observed. Scalesia belong to the sunflower family and have grown in the absence of trees.
The most popular tourist sites to visit are the twin craters (Los Gemelos), now sinkholes. At the top, there are also some lava tunnels up to 2 km long, which formed when the lava emerged and solidified, while inside, the hot, still-liquid lava continued to flow. Today, it is possible to explore the mystical and shadowy galleries with a torch and a lamp. Near the village of Santa Rosa is the „El Chato“ reserve, where giant tortoises can be observed in their natural habitat. There is a large lagoon, grasslands, and cloud forest, where short-eared owls, Darwin’s finches, wrens, flycatchers, and tropical birds with red beaks can also be seen.
TRUFFLE BAY
A road in good condition for approximately one hour will take you from Puerto Ayora to Turtle Bay. This excursion is ideal for bird watching. Along the way it is easy to see different species of finches. The sunsets here are excellent. West Inlet offers a very nice area for snorkeling, swimming and relaxing. The water is crystal clear and very suitable for swimming, because the current is almost absent.
Underwater it is possible to find sharks or marine iguanas, while seabirds such as pelicans and flamingos can be observed from the surrounding mangroves. If you want to know all the fauna of the Galapagos, click here
The white sand of the beach is considered by many the most beautiful of the archipelago. Its name comes from the sea turtles that come to lay their eggs. Other animal species can be found here, such as pelicans, flamingos, and marine iguanas.
BACHAS BEACH
These two small beaches are located west of Caleta Tortuga. Its sand is made of decaying coral, making it white and soft. The Bachas beach one of favorite places for sea turtles to nest. Behind one of the beaches is a small brackish water lagoon, where you can occasionally spot flamingos and other land birds such as the black-necked plover and the curlew. The other beach is longer, but has two old barges abandoned during World War II, when the United States used the Baltra Island as a strategic point to protect the Panama Canal (the metal is rusty and sharp, so it is not a good place to swim).
If you haven't seen enough turtles yet, take a boat to nearby Black Turtle Cove. Passing through some small bays, you may see rays and whitetip reef sharks entering the inlet, which is home to black turtles.
DRAGON HILL - SANTA CRUZ
Another place to visit is Cerro Dragon, located on the westernmost tip of the island, it allows for an easy dry landing on a concrete pier. The trail leads to a white sand beach and then continues cross-country. Here the visitor will be rewarded by the presence of wading birds in a hypersaline lagoon and, inland, by a group of nesting land iguanas. A trail through cactus and palo santo trees leads to a hill where a splendid view can be enjoyed. Less than a kilometer away, an impressive panga ride will give visitors the opportunity to observe turtles, a large number of seabirds, and sharks in a mangrove environment.
WEATHER IN SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
The climate on Santa Cruz Island is tropical, with average temperatures ranging from 18 to 26 degrees Celsius. The dry season lasts from June to December, with warmer temperatures and clear skies. The rainy season lasts from January to May, with cooler temperatures and cloudy skies. If you want to know the weather in the Galapagos Islands we have the perfect article for you here .
Temperature
The average temperature on Santa Cruz Island is 22 degrees Celsius. The average maximum temperature is 26 degrees Celsius, and the average minimum temperature is 18 degrees Celsius.
Rain
Santa Cruz Island receives an average of 200 mm of rain per year. The rainy season lasts from January to May, with an average of 100 mm of rain per month. The dry season lasts from June to December, with an average of 100 mm of rain per year.
Humidity
The average humidity on Santa Cruz Island is 80%. Humidity is highest during the rainy season, and lowest during the dry season.
Winds
Winds on Santa Cruz Island are generally light, with average speeds of 10 to 15 kilometers per hour. Winds can be stronger during the rainy season, when storm systems can generate gusty winds.
