What to See on Santiago Island

Santiago is one of the Galapagos Islands, part of Ecuador, and its sights are landscapes and wildlife rather than buildings. The island has about 585 square kilometres, no residents and no town, and it is seen only from a boat with a licensed naturalist guide. These are the places visitors are taken to.

Puerto Egas and the fur-seal coast

Puerto Egas, in James Bay, is a black-sand beach beside a lava shelf. Galapagos fur seals and young sea lions share the rocky shoreline, which is the main draw. Galapagos hawks can be seen here. The site also has a history of a failed salt-mining venture in the 20th century, and the lagoon inland is closed to visitors.

Sullivan Bay lava field

Across from Bartolome, Sullivan Bay is a field of young pahoehoe lava from the late 19th century, commonly dated to 1897. It is a landscape of ropey folds, small hornitos and tree molds, which start about 150 m from the beginning of the path. There is no shade, and the surface is very hot in full sun.

Espumilla Beach

Espumilla has reddish-gold sand and is a landing for a short hike and snorkeling. Green turtles nest on the beach, and behind it a lagoon with mangroves holds white-cheeked pintails and sometimes flamingos.

Buccaneer Cove

Bahia Bucanero is a coast of steep eroded cliffs and sea stacks. It was once an anchorage for buccaneers and whalers. Visitors usually see it from a panga or while snorkeling rather than from the shore.

Sombrero Chino

This cone-shaped islet lies just off Santiago’s south-east tip and is normally visited on the same itineraries. It has lava tubes and sea lions, and penguins are sometimes seen.

Practical points

  • All visits are with a park-authorised guide, by cruise or by a full-day boat trip from Santa Cruz.
  • Keep at least 2 m from wildlife and do not use flash. Drones are not allowed.
  • Wear sturdy closed shoes on lava and bring sun protection.
  • The park entrance fee for foreign visitors aged 12 and over is $200. Rangers collect it at the airport, so keep US dollar cash as a backup.

The Galapagos Islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1978. For site descriptions, see gogalapagos.com on Santiago and the Puerto Egas page at visitgalapagos.travel .

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