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Galapagos Suggested Activities

SANTA CRUZ FREE ACTIVITIES

  1. “Laguna de las Ninfas” (Lagoon of the Nymphs) - About a 15 min walk from Puerto Ayora pier, this very quiet lagoon is surrounded by three different types of mangroves and many birds. Cost: Free
  2. “Darwin Research Station” - Only 1.5km from Puerto Ayora, this is an easy walk from the centre of town (about a 20 minute walk). There an interpretation centre full of interesting info about the Galapagos Islands. You will also find a tortoise breeding centre and corrals where endangered giant turtles can roam safely before being returned to their islands of origin, as well as endangered land iguanas. Also the body of the last Pinta Island Tortoise is here, the famous “Lonesome George”. It’s open every day at 8am-12:30pm and 2:30pm-5:50pm. Cost: Free (but a donation is encouraged as it goes towards endangered local species).
  3. “Playa De La Estacion” (Station Beach) - Near the Darwin Research Centre (above) there’s a short trail that leads to a popular beach frequented by both locals and tourists (and sunbathing iguanas). The beach is quieter during the week and a bit busier on weekends. You can snorkel here as well, but you will find more fish at a small beach a bit further along nearby, however that beach is a bit rockier and the water is not very deep. Cost: Free
  4. “Las Grietas” (The Cracks) - This site is an interesting lava fissure formed by two giant walls crossed by an arm of brackish water that filters down from the highlands and mixes with seawater. It’s recommended that visitors come to swim in its clear waters, but not so much for snorkelling. To get there you have to take a taxi boat from Puerto Ayora for and then follow the trail for 15-20 minutes. There’s a stall there where you can hire snorkel gear if you want. Bring good shoes with grip as the rocks can be slippery. Cost: about $1 (for the taxi boat).
  5. “Punta Estrada Beach” - A small beach on the way to Las Grietas (above). To reach it also requires a water taxi and apparently is quite a good place for snorkelling, especially for beginners. Cost: about $1 (for the taxi boat).
  6. “El Rancho Manzanillo” (Giant Tortoise Reserve) - In the highlands of Santa Cruz, giant tortoises roam freely in and out of farms and at the El Chato lagoon. The Tortoises are very shy, and will typically withdraw into their carapaces as soon as they see you coming close. You’re not accompanied during your visit, so it’s your own responsibility not to bother, touch or feed them. To go there from Puerto Ayora you can take the bus that goes to the airport and disembark at the ranch entrance, from there it’s an hour walk (2.8 km) until you reach the ranch or you can take a taxi from Puerto Ayora and ask the driver to wait for you if you want. The ranch offers coffee or tea, a snack and will also lend you plastic boots to walk around in. Cost: $3 (Entrance Fee) + Bus ($2.50) or Taxi (about $25-$40 negotiable).
  7. “Los Gemelos” (The Twins) - The twins are two collapsed craters/sinkholes that were formed by a series of eruptions when the islands were still active. This is also the only place in Santa Cruz where you can see a forest of the endemic Scalasia tree. The place is gorgeous and really worth seeing. You can take a taxi or you can catch the airport bus and disembark when you get there.
    8. *Hint - This site is only a few kilometres beyond the “Rancho Manzanillo” (above), so you should probably do both in the same trip. Cost: Free + Bus ($2.50) or taxi (about $25-$40 Negotiable).
  8. "Bahia Tortuga” (Tortuga Bay) - The most impressive beach on Santa Cruz and one of the largest white-sand beaches in archipelago. The beach opens at 6am and closes at about 5pm (because it’s a sanctuary nesting area for the marine turtles, which shouldn’t be bothered at night) and you have to register at the entrance (this is also the last chance to buy refreshments or go to the toilet until you return). When you get to the beach there’s a stand with kayaks to hire if you want.  To get there you walk 2.5km south west from Puerto Ayora (about a 25 min walk) to reach the beach via a very well maintained path through a Galapagos forest (Opuntia cactus trees). It’s an excellent place for swimming, snorkelling, kayaking or walking and is a popular beach for surfers due to the large waves. There are numerous marine iguanas, small sharks, sea turtles, crabs and many different bird species. If you continue further up the sand another 1km you will come to a beautiful shaded lagoon semi-hidden behind the furthest section of beach. Bring sunscreen. *Hint - Tortuga Bay is even more spectacular if you make the effort to get up early and see it at sunrise (trust me). Cost: Free
  9. “Media Luna Hill” (Half-moon Hill) - This hill is named after the shape of this ancient volcanic crater. It's about a two-hour uphill hike (about 5km) north of Bellavista. If you continue 3km further you can reach “El Puntudo” and the base of “Cerro Crocker” (A volcano that has the highest peak of Santa Cruz). Along the way you can see birds such as Vermillion Flycatchers, Paint-billed Crakes and very elusive Galapagos Rails. There are some areas here that do require a guide however. Stay on the main trail. *Hint - Wear good shoes with grip and bring food and plenty of water. Lightweight waterproof jacket advised. Cost: Free
  10. “Garrapatero Beach” - A secluded beach about a 35 min drive (19km) from Puerto Ayora and then a 20-min walk along a trail. This is a beautiful beach featuring white sand, black lava and turquoise water where you can swim and snorkel. Here you can see blue-footed boobies, pelicans, crabs and marine iguanas. Behind the beach there’s a small lagoon with mangroves and poison apple trees where you can see flamingos, black-necked stills and white-cheeked ducks. *Note - It’s also possible to camp here if you want, but you must get permission from the caretakers. Cost: Free + taxi (about $30-40 negotiable roundtrip).
  11. “Bike, Horse or Kayak Hire” - Hire a bike, horse or Kayak for the day. You can bike/horse ride from Puerto Ayora to the secluded, gorgeous beach of Garrapatero (above), and be sure to try the fresh breads and sweets in the bakeries in the small towns along the way. Cost: Variable
  12. “Caleta Tortuga Negra Tour” (Black Turtle Cove) - You need to arrange to go on a tour to get to Black Turtle Cove as it is only accessible by rubber dinghy, but it is definitely well worth the trip. This shallow mangrove has extremely clear water and is a bit of a nursery, so you can see baby sharks (even baby hammerheads) in the water swimming by, as well as lots of turtles and stingrays swimming past the boat. You might also see blue footed boobies dive-bombing the water for fish. Bring insect repellent. *Hint - Considered to be one of the most beautiful and peaceful mangroves, this is often the first tour people do when they arrive from the airport near Santa Cruz or the last tour that people do before leaving the islands because it can be done easily on a “half-day”. Cost: Unknown (No prices I could find online) but should be inexpensive. (Takes about 2 hours)

SAN CRISTOBAL ACTIVITIES

  1. “The San Cristobal Sign” - if you look closely at the letters, they are each painted with a different animal that you can find on the island.
  2. “The Tourist Information Centre” - is a couple of blocks back from the waterfront, near the church. They have free booklets and DVDs about the islands with excellent maps and picture of the various sites. Definitely worth seeking out when you first arrive to plan your first days.
  3. “Playa Mann” (Mann Beach) - This is a great place to see sea lions up close and personal. It’s a small beach, but one of the more popular beaches due to its central location and the waters are usually calm. Cost: Free
  4. “San Cristobal Market” - Up a little hill you can find the “Mercado” (market) which is brilliant on Saturdays when there’s an additional organic market. The food is well priced and has very fresh avocados, tomatoes, paw paw, plums, pineapple, green apples, iceberg lettuce, papaya, etc. *NOTE - The meat looks a bit dodgy, but the fresh fish and seafood is great value. Cost: Free
  5. “Playa Cabo de Horno” (Cape Horn Beach) - About a 15-20 minute walk from the main town and has resident sea-lions and marine iguanas. It’s also a reasonable surfing beach. Cost: Free
  6. “Centro de Interpretacion” (Interpretation Centre) - An informational museum that is surrounded by hiking trails and wooden walkways. The museum offers a complete history of the Galapagos Islands and its ecosystems, both the good and the bad. *Hint - Nearby at the top of the hill is a little cafe which has delicious home-made blackberry milk shakes and blackberry ice cream (Honestly, try these out. They are AWESOME). Cost: Free
  7. “Tijeretas Bay” - This is a beautiful cove that is within walking distance (45-60 minutes) along a path behind the Interpretation Centre (above). There are spectacular lookout points at the top of the hill where you can see “Shipwreck Bay” and “Kicker Rock”. The cove makes for a reasonable snorkelling spot, to see turtles, sea lions and various birds (a friendly shark swam right past me here), but be careful descending down the steep”ish” rock stairway. On the way there are several beaches, including Punta Carola where there are also plenty of sea lions and a lighthouse. Just remember to take food and drinks (or the blackberry milkshakes above) with you. *Note - This cove was one of my first “Wow” moments in San Cristobal and ended up being a perfect place for me to practise my snorkelling technique for later Day Tours (recommended) Cost: Free
  8. “La Loberia” (The Sea Wolves) - About a 20-30 minute walk from the main town, this beach attracts many snorkelers and surfers, although the water can be a bit rough. The scenery is beautiful, though, and you'll see numerous sleepy sea lions lounging on the shore. Cost: Free
  9. “Galapaguera Cerro Colorado” (Breeding Centre of Giant Tortoises) - Here you'll see the giant tortoises that the Galapagos Islands are so famous for. You'll also see baby tortoises, walk through an informational museum and possibly see the tortoises in the mating process. Cost: Free
  10. “Puerto Chino” (Beach) - This white sand beach is about 25km out of the city, but is a great opportunity for viewing wildlife. Plan to bring a lunch and spend the day on the beach and hiking the trails around it. The white sand beach offers calm, clear waters and the chance to see a lot of wild life and unique rock formations. Climb to the top of the big, black volcanic rock formation for aerial views of the clear water and marine life. It’s a pleasant spot and is a decent place to snorkel and see booby birds on the rocks (watch out for their courting dances). It’s also possible to see sharks jumping out of the water. Cost: Free + Taxi (negotiable)
  11. “El Junco Lagoon” (Crater Lake) - Despite its name, this is actually a lake that has formed in a crater of a sleeping volcano. Located in the highlands of San Cristobal about 19km outside of the main town, “El Junco” is the only permanent freshwater lake in the Galapagos. You can catch a taxi through many different vegetation zones to reach the lake where you will get an outstanding panoramic view of the entire island from the lookout. It’s really quite beautiful and you can walk around the entire rim or explore some of the nearby forest trails. *Note - There are no toilets at the top where the lake is, only at the base. So go before you ascend. Cost: Free (entry) + Taxi (negotiable)

SOME SAN CRISTOBAL DAY TOURS

  1. “Highlands of San Cristobal Tour” - This tour goes to the highlands of San Cristobal, including “El Ceibo” (a 300-year-old tree house and bar), “El Junco” (a freshwater crater lake in a volcano), “La Lobaria” (a white beach overflowing with sea lions), “Puerto Chino” (a soft-sand beach with crystal-clear water), the “Jacinto Gordillo Breeding Centre” of Giant Tortoises and includes lunch. Cost: $35-$50
  2. “Kicker Rock/Leon Domido Day Tour” - First there’s great snorkelling first up in a shallow, crystal clear area where you can see sea-lions swimming, marine iguana feeding on the bottom, and various fish. Then you head to “Kicker Rock /Leon Domido” (2 massive rocks 140 metres high, close together and poking out of the ocean that you snorkel between) to attempt to see Hammerhead sharks. You have much more chance of seeing them if you scuba dive as they prefer to swim deep, but this is your best chance to see Hammerhead sharks while only snorkelling. *Note - This Day Tour ended up being one of my favourites (recommended). Cost: about $80  *Additional Note - This is one of the most famous “Day Tours” for scuba divers, but to do that it costs more.