Santiago Island With Children

Santiago Island suits families with older children who are steady on their feet and comfortable around the sea. It is an uninhabited part of Galapagos National Park, so there are no playgrounds, shops, cafes or town facilities. Everything happens on a guided boat outing, either a full-day trip from Santa Cruz or a stop on a multi-day cruise.

What children enjoy

  • Sea lion and fur seal pups at Puerto Egas. The lava shelf on the James Bay coast is shared by Galapagos fur seals and young sea lions, and a guide helps children spot them from a respectful distance.
  • Ropey lava at Sullivan Bay. The flow dates from the late 19th century, and its twisted, rope-like surface is easy for children to see and describe. Tree molds start about 150 m along the path.
  • Snorkeling with a guide. Puerto Egas, Sullivan Bay and Espumilla Beach appear as snorkel stops on operator itineraries. The water is cool from June to November, so a wetsuit helps.
  • Espumilla Beach. The sand is reddish-gold, green turtles nest here, and the lagoon behind holds white-cheeked pintails.

What to think about first

Landings are wet or dry depending on conditions, so children need to be able to step into shallow water from a small boat. Santiago’s visitor sites are unimproved, so expect little shade and no shops, and ask your operator what the boat provides for food, water and toilets.

The lava has no shade and can feel very hot in full sun. Children should wear sturdy closed shoes, a hat and sunscreen, and carry water. Big male sea lions can be aggressive, so keep children close and hold to the 2 m distance rule. No flash is allowed on wildlife.

The full-day trip from Puerto Ayora has an early start at about 6:00, about 40 minutes by road, then about 2 hours by boat each way. That is a long day for small children, so weigh it against their age before you book.

Fees by age

For foreign visitors, the Galapagos park entrance fee is $200 at age 12 and over and $100 under 12. Children under 2 are exempt. Ecuadorian and foreign residents of Ecuador pay $30, or $15 for under 12s. Rangers collect the fee at the airport, so carry US dollar cash as a backup. Add $20 per person for the Transit Control Card. See the official fee tables .

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Read more: activities on Santiago , day trips and animal activities .