Day Trips to Santiago from Santa Cruz

Santiago has no town, hotel or road, so a day trip means a boat from Santa Cruz, where the trips start in Puerto Ayora. The usual option is a full-day outing that combines Bartolome with a Sullivan Bay lava walk on Santiago. A naturalist guide goes with every group, and you cannot land on your own.

How the day runs

  • About 6:00: pickup at your Puerto Ayora hotel.
  • About 40 minutes: by road across Santa Cruz to the Itabaca channel.
  • About 2 hours: by boat to the central islands.
  • On the islands: Bartolome and the Sullivan Bay lava field, with snorkeling offered at some stops.
  • Late afternoon: the return, usually around 17:00 to 18:00, so confirm the time when you book.

It is a long day, and the boat leg is the longest part of it. Allow for the road and the crossing together.

What you see on Santiago

Sullivan Bay is a lava field from a flow of the late 19th century, commonly dated to 1897. Walkers cross ropey pahoehoe lava, pass hornitos and reach tree molds about 150 m from the start of the path. There is no sandy beach for swimming here, and no shade, so closed shoes and sun protection matter more than swimwear.

Costs

Quotes for the Bartolome and Sullivan Bay day differ by seller. Local agencies in Puerto Ayora ask about $250 per person, booking platforms list roughly $296 to $364, and one international platform goes up to about $550. A wetsuit is usually extra, and the park entrance fee is paid separately on arrival at the airport.

Day dives

Dive centres in Puerto Ayora also run a day trip to Bartolome and Cousins Rock, with the dive sites about 1.5 hours from the Itabaca channel. The outing is priced at $270. Cousins Rock suits intermediate divers because of moderate currents.

What to pack

  • Sturdy closed shoes for the lava
  • Sun hat, sunscreen and water
  • Swimwear and a towel if you plan to snorkel
  • US dollar cash for the park fee, as a backup to cards

Check the day’s landing type with your guide, as landings can be wet or dry depending on conditions.

Search for departures on Viator or GetYourGuide , and see the park rules for the 2 m wildlife distance and the official fee table for the park fee.

Read more: guided tours of Santiago , multi-day cruises and activities .