Santiago Island is the fourth largest island in the Galapagos and in its 585 square kilometers it has several excellent places to visit. On a long flat coast of black lava with eroded shapes forming lava pools, caves and coves that are home to a wide variety of wildlife.
The landscape of Santiago Island is made up of scoria and numerous tuff cones and extensive recent lava flows from the eastern and southern parts of the island. A main volcano dominates the western slope, which is densely covered with vegetation and heavily eroded. This island has almost all vegetation zones, from arid to humid.
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How to get to Santiago in the Galapagos?
The only way to reach Santiago Island in Galapagos is by cruise ship. The island has no airport or port, so visitors must arrive on a boat with an itinerary that includes Santiago Island. Here are some of the best Galapagos cruises to Santiago Island:
Here are some tips for booking a cruise to Santiago Island:
Book your cruise in advance, especially if you are traveling during the high season (June to December).
Compare prices from different cruise lines.
Read cruise reviews before booking.
Consider the level of comfort and luxury of the boat.
Make sure the cruise ship includes Santiago Island in its itinerary.
Requirements to enter Santiago Island in the Galapagos Islands
The requirements to enter Santiago Island are similar to those 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.
Flora and Fauna of Santiago Island
Santiago Island, located in the Galapagos archipelago, is home to a unique variety of flora and fauna adapted to the specific environmental conditions of this isolated region. Here you have information about the flora and fauna of Santiago Island:
Flora
- Palo Santo Trees: These trees are emblematic of the Galapagos and can also be found in Santiago. Palo santo wood is known for its unique fragrance.
- Árboles de Palo Santo: Estos árboles son emblemáticos de Galápagos y también se pueden encontrar en Santiago. La madera del palo santo es conocida por su fragancia única.
- Prickly Pear Cactus: This species of cactus is common on several Galapagos islands, including Santiago. Provides food for land iguanas.
- Salt Mangrove: In coastal areas, you can find salt mangrove, a type of shrub adapted to saline conditions.
- Sesuvium: A succulent plant that turns a bright red color during the breeding season of blue-footed boobies.
Fauna
- Marine Iguanas: Santiago is home to a population of marine iguanas, unique reptiles that have adapted their eating habits to diving and feeding on seaweed.
- Sea Lions: Santiago's beaches serve as resting and breeding areas for sea lions. You can watch these playful creatures on the banks.
- Piqueros de Patas Azules: These seabirds are found in the Galapagos Islands and are known for their blue legs and distinctive mating dance.
- Galapagos Seagulls: Several species of gulls, such as the swallow-tailed Galapagos Gull, inhabit the beaches and cliffs of Santiago.
- Sea Turtles: The waters surrounding Santiago are home to sea turtles, especially during nesting season.
- Tropical fish: At the snorkeling areas, you can encounter a variety of tropical fish, rays, and maybe even reef sharks.
- Sally Lightfoot Crabs: These colorful crabs are common on the coastal rocks of Santiago and other Galapagos islands.
Remember that if you want to know the Galapagos flora you can do it here .
Activities you can do on Santiago Island
Santiago Island is a popular tourist destination for nature lovers. It offers a variety of activities to enjoy, including:
Hiking
The island has a number of trails that offer panoramic views of the coastline and vegetation. Prices for hiking tours vary by duration and company, but usually cost around $50 per person.
Snorkeling and diving
The island has a wide variety of marine life, including sea lions, sea turtles, sharks and tropical fish. Prices for snorkeling and diving tours vary according to duration and company, but usually cost around $100 per person.
Birdwatching
The island is an important refuge for seabirds, such as blue-footed boobies and cormorants. Prices for birding tours vary according to duration and company, but usually cost around $75 per person.
Here is a list of specific activities you can do on Santiago Island, with a tentative price:
- Visit to the Sea Lions Grotto: This natural cave is home to a large colony of sea lions. The price of the visit usually costs around $25 per person.
- Sullivan Bay Walk: This bay is a popular destination for hiking, snorkeling, and diving. The price of the boat ride usually costs around $50 per person.
- Hidden Beach Excursion: This secluded beach is a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature. The price of the excursion usually costs around $75 per person.
- Visit the Chinese Hat Islet: This rock formation is a popular destination for hiking and snorkeling. The price of the visit usually costs around $50 per person.
- It is important to note that prices may vary according to season and company.
Remember that if you want to know the Galapagos fauna you can do it here .
Egas Port (James Bay)
The wet landing on the dark sands of Puerto Egas (James Bay) leads to one of the most rewarding visits in Galapagos. The first trail leads to the remains of a salt mining operation, one of several failed attempts to commercialize Galapagos. Some groups will make a one-hour round trip to reach Sugarloaf Volcano (approximately 1000 ft/395 m elevation).
But it is the Seal Cave that produces the greatest pleasure for visitors. Here you can encounter sea lions and seals up close, in a series of rock pools. For many, this is their only chance to see the Galapagos seal, once thought to be on the verge of extinction. From the black beach es posible vivir una de las sesiones de snorkel más exuberantes de la visita. Darwin describe su visita a la Bahía de Santiago en su «Voyage of the Beagle«.
Sullivan Bay
Al otro lado de un estrecho canal al oeste de Bartolomé se encuentra la Bahía de Sullivan en la Isla Santiago. Este desembarco ofrece uno de los sitios volcánicos más extraordinarios de Galápagos y nos brinda la oportunidad de ver un flujo de lava «reciente» de unos 100 años. Hace poco más de un siglo, la isla dio origen a un Lava field called pahoehoe ("scorched" in Hawaiian), which glows like a giant obsidian sculpture. You can imagine the lava that, once melted, illuminates the earth, flows into the sea and releases very hot vapors into the air.
On the lava surface it is possible to observe some trees that have been transported by the fresh lava flow. The lava flow has given life to new land by enveloping the vegetation, leaving some plants permanently rooted in the ground, while others are beginning to colonize the lava fissures.
Today the flow presents itself as a gallery of abstract forms reminiscent of braids, curtains and fans. Brightly colored "painted lobsters" and "lava lizards" mark the black volcanic canvas, as do occasional lava fingers and cacti on an extensive wet carpet. Looking back across the bay toward the source of the flow, a reddish lava cone, one sees Pinnacle Rock, which is close to the Bartolome Island .
History of Santiago Island
Santiago Island, also known as Isla San Salvador, is one of the islands of the Galapagos archipelago. Throughout its history, the island has experienced diverse geological events and has witnessed human interaction in the context of conservation and scientific study. Here is an overview of the history of Santiago Island:
- Descubrimiento y Nombres: La isla fue descubierta en 1535 por Tomás de Berlanga, un obispo español. Inicialmente, la isla fue llamada «San Salvador» en honor al día del descubrimiento, que coincidió con la festividad de San Salvador. Más tarde, adquirió el nombre de Santiago.
- Piracy and Whaling Activities: During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Galapagos region was a haven for pirates and whalers. These visitors left a mark on the island's history, although their presence was limited and sporadic.
- Scientific Research: Throughout the 19th century, several scientific expeditions visited Galapagos to study the unique geology, flora and fauna of the region. Charles Darwin's famous expedition on the HMS Beagle in 1835 had a significant impact on the understanding of evolution and natural selection.
- Volcanic Eruption: Santiago is geologically active, and in 1897, experienced a significant volcanic eruption. The eruption left lava flows that contributed to the formation of new land and landscapes on the island.
- Erupción Volcánica: Santiago es geológicamente activa, y en 1897, experimentó una erupción volcánica significativa. La erupción dejó flujos de lava que contribuyeron a la formación de nuevas tierras y paisajes en la isla.
- Conservation and Ecotourism: In the 20th century, with the recognition of the unique importance of Galapagos in terms of biodiversity, conservation measures were implemented. Santiago became a site of interest for scientific research and controlled ecotourism.
Today, Santiago Island remains an important site for scientific research and an attraction for those interested in natural history and conservation.
