Santa Fe Island
Isla Santa Fe
An ancient volcanic island southeast of Santa Cruz, home to the endemic Santa Fe land iguana and a forest of giant cacti. Visitors can snorkel with sea lions in the bay.
Santa Fe is one of the oldest islands in the archipelago. It is home to the endemic pale-yellow Santa Fe land iguana and the tallest prickly pear cactus forest in the Galapagos, whose trunks can reach several meters. Cruise boats anchor in the emerald-green Barrington Bay on the northeast side. Sea lions cover the beach. Visitors follow a trail to look for land iguanas, then snorkel in the bay with sea lions, sea turtles and rays. It takes about 1.5 hours by boat from Puerto Ayora, and it can only be visited on a licensed day trip or by cruise ship. When the sea is rough, the ride is very bumpy, so anyone prone to seasickness should take medication in advance.
Opening hours
Included with day-cruise boats
Nearby sights
- El Garrapatero Beach
- Charles Darwin Research Station
- South Plaza Island
- Las Grietas
- Puerto Ayora Fish Market & Av. Charles Darwin
- Gordon Rocks
- Laguna de las Ninfas
- Tortuga Bay