Santa Cruz Gardens

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Sites of Interest

Santa Cruz Island is a place for many activities. It can be a place for quiet contemplation and rest, or for thrilling adventure. 

Below we mention several of the locations that merit one or repeated visits during a stay in Santa Cruz Island. 

Each place has its own unique beauty. If you are in the mood for quiet relaxation how about getting to Playa Mansa, a nice stretch of white sand beach with very calm waters, and reading a good book under the shade of the mangrove trees. 

Or if you want some adventure how about mountain biking to Garrapatero (a beautiful secluded beach) or kayaking to Lover’s Canal.

If you are interested in science, or conservation efforts, why not visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, to learn from its exhibits. 

There are many options in Santa Cruz Island. Even simply walking up and down “Main Street” in Puerto Ayora is always interesting. There are many galleries, bars, restaurants, shops and tour operators offering an assortment of possibilities.

A water-taxi (or panga) can be hired for a few dollars for a short tour around the bay, or a day-tour boat for a longer one.

There are benches overlooking the bay were one can sit to soak-in the scenery, look at the passers-by, read a book or just rest.

There’s a beautiful lagoon at the limits of Puerto Ayora. It’s surrounded by mangroves and makes for nice swimming. You can get in with a paddle-boat too.

The highlands have a lush rainforest-like ecosystem. There you can observe giant tortoises roaming free. Or how about exploring a huge lava tunnel?

You can enjoy a romantic dinner in the Angermeyer Point restaurant, which sits atop a small cliff overlooking the bay. At night the lights of the sailboats shimmer in the waters of Academy Bay for a beautiful sight.

There are several snorkel sites that offer varied thrills. You can swim alongside darting sea lions, view rays and large schools of beautiful fish; or you can swim or snorkel in water canyons, with water so crystalline you’ll be amazed.

Getting to Tortuga Bay, a beautiful white sand beach, is always a thrill. It’s a 25 minute walk through a cobblestone trail surrounded by natural vegetation. There’s a rest area halfway through. Many birds can be observed in this trail, including Darwin’s finches.

Tortuga Bay is a vast stretch of white, powdery sand beach with deep blue waters. Marine iguanas can be seen walking the surf, while frigate-birds and pelicans dive for fish. It makes for a stirring experience.

At the end of this beach there’s a cactus forest with a trail that offers a magnificent view of Playa Mansa, a beach with waters so calm its like a large swimming pool, and were you can walk-in for hundred’s of feet and the water will still be waist-high.

Once in Santa Cruz it’s easier to take last minute tours at a discount. You can visit other islands and be back in the same day.

You can get to Puerto Ayora and get into an Internet Cafe, there are plenty, and be in touch with relatives and friends and get up to date information and news on the subjects that interest you the most.

The bottom line is that while Santa Cruz and the Galapagos may not be for some, it’s certainly a very special place with many options where a sensible, adventurous spirit can have an inspiring experience.