Home to a plethora of incredible animals, such as the Marine Swimming Iguana, Galapagos Penguin, and of course, the Giant Tortoise, the vast biodiversity of the islands, each with their own distinct character, is the main draw.
First coming to prominence as a hot bed of piratical activity in the 17th and 18th centuries, the various caves provided hiding places for English pirates wanting to plunder the passing Spanish Galleons. The islands received worldwide fame upon the 1859 publication of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, which presented a revolutionary argument against the transmutation of species. As one of the most protected areas on the planet, opportunities to visit are limited and must be undertaken with a specialist guide.
After a walk of approximately one hour on a pavestone path through arid vegetation, visitors are rewarded by the view of a beautiful white sand beach and surrounding dunes. These dunes provide an ideal hiding area for the eggs of marine turtles. Here, the ocean is perfect for swimming or just relaxing on the beach. At the far end of the beach is a rocky point creating a barrier for the tranquil Playa Mansa and the surrounding mangrove forest, a great place for snorkelling, swimming or picnics. Darwin finches, mockingbirds, yellow warblers, sea turtles, marine iguanas, pelicans, sharks and other coastal birds decorate this gorgeous landscape.
Santa Fe offers one of the more beautiful and sheltered coves in the islands. Its turquoise lagoon is protected by a peninsula of tiny islets forming an ideal anchorage. Galapagos Hawks are often easily approached, perched atop slat bushes. The giant prickly pear cactus found here live up to their name, with tree-sized trunks! Our goal is to spot one of the large species of land iguana native to Santa Fe. Beige to chocolate brown in colour, with dragon-like spines, these huge iguanas truly resemble dinosaurs. After the hike, there is nothing more inviting than a swim in the calm waters of the bay, followed by watching the sunset behind the island cliffs as dusk settles over the Galapagos.
This is the southern partner of two small crescent shaped islands that lie just a few hundred metres off the east coast of Santa Cruz. South Plaza is one of the smallest yet richest islands in the archipelago. Only 130 metres wide, it was formed from uplifted seabed, giving it a little tabletop quality. The turquoise waters of the channel contrast brilliantly with the white sand and black lava of the shoreline. Yellow-Gray Land Iguanas sit beneath the tall cactus plants, waiting patiently for pears to drop. The trail is a great place for spotting large marine life, including Manta Rays. Surf pounds an inlet at the western corner of the Island, where a colony of Sea Lion bachelors make their home, accounting for the surface of the rocks, polished by the oil from their fur.
Rábida is a small island with red volcanic rock surrounding a beautiful red sand beach, home to a colony of sea lions and a pelican nesting site. The trail leads to a salt water lagoon where shore birds can be seen. Rábida is considered to be one of the best snorkelling sites in the Galapagos Islands, and you will also have the opportunity to go snorkelling or panga riding.