Sightseeing Santa Cruz Island
Santa Cruz Island Sightseeing
Welcome to Santa Cruz Island! This enchanting Galapagos island offers a unique blend of wildlife, landscapes, and human history. Here’s a guide to help you make the most of your visit.
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Charles Darwin Research Station (El Centro de Investigaciones y Tecnologías Ambientales – CIATE): Visit this research center that plays a crucial role in understanding and preserving the Galapagos Islands’ unique biodiversity. Don’t miss the giant tortoise enclosures!
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Giant Tortoise Reserve (Reserva El Chato): Wander through this reserve to see the majestic giant tortoises roaming freely in their natural habitat. The highland trail offers a great opportunity for photography.
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Tortuga Bay: A beautiful beach with two parts - the longer, surf-friendly ‘Bahía de la Tortuga’ and the calmer ‘Bahía Escondida’. Enjoy swimming, sunbathing, or spotting marine iguanas, sea lions, and the elusive Galapagos hawks.
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Los Gemelos: Explore these two large volcanic craters filled with vegetation, home to various species of finches, mockingbirds, and the San Cristobal lava lizard.
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Punta Pitt: If you’re an early bird, join a tour to this site, where you can see all three types of boobies (Blue-footed Booby, Red-footed Booby, and Nazca Booby) along with frigatebirds and marine iguanas.
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Kicker Rock (León Dormido): This iconic rock formation is a favorite spot for snorkeling, where you can swim alongside sea lions, tropical fish, and perhaps even a sea turtle or two.
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Bahía Gardner: A great location to observe the Galapagos fur seal colony, marine iguanas, and birds such as the Galapagos Hawk, Great Frigatebird, and Nazca Booby. Don’t forget your binoculars!
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Bahía Witchcraft: This pristine beach offers excellent snorkeling opportunities with a variety of marine life. It’s also a popular spot for sea turtles to lay their eggs during the nesting season.