Top Things to do in Santa Cruz
Things to do in Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands: The Best Nature & Parks
How often do you get the chance to walk through a tunnel of lava? Created by the flowing and cooling process of liquid magma, the underground lava tubes of Santa Cruz are simply breathtaking. The most popular is the Tunnel of Love, so named for the heart-shaped hole in the ceiling. Cool down with a splash in the fresh waters of Puerto Ayora, snorkel at Tortuga Bay or the mangrove-lined Garrapatero Beach and get friendly with the giant natives at the El Chato Tortoise Reserve.
Restaurants in Santa Cruz
1. Las Grietas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,453 reviews
Reviewed By F336MVjohnd
From Puerto Ayora, take an 80-cent water taxi to Finch Bay, and then a walk past the German beach to get to this strikingly beautiful volcanic fissure that has connected out to the ocean... so it's also a great place for a swim. The water is cold... so you won't regret a wet suit. And do wear the snorkel mask as the view underwater is remarkable, and there are some interesting fish to see as well. The thing to be careful of here is that there are several pools separated by some very sharp and VERY slippery rocks. You CAN cross over them, but my wife and I each got several scrapes and bruises in the process. Also, there is no "life guard on duty". There is a guide who you sign in with at the top of the fissure... but if you need help it will be 10-15 minutes away, so do be careful if you venture past the first pool.
2. Canal del Amor
3. Galapagos Beach at Tortuga Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,398 reviews
Reviewed By carlosvelascoteran
We went to Tortuga Bay on 2/21/2020. Day was sunny, warm. We walked from Puerto Ayora to Tortuga Bay, which by itself is a nice experience, looking at trees, iguanas and birds. We then got to the area of Tortuga Bay, which by itself has 3 separate segments, Playa Brava, Playa Mansa, and a small lagoon formed by a reef protecting it from the Playa Brava. The experience of swimming around iguanas and small "tintoreras" (sharks) was unbelievable. Water was refreshing. Birds were majestic. We have visited many places in the world, this was one of the best we have seen, highlighted by the successful way in which nature has been protected by the Ecuadorian government.
4. El Garrapatero
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 691 reviews
Reviewed By cesarmantillaand2018 - Quito, Ecuador
Accesible through paved road and pathway (rode a bike from Puerto Ayora). Top notch kayak and snorkeling equipment rental . Kayaking was great, through calm bay, to three other nearby beaches. Saw lots of sea turtles, marine iguanas, small bullsharks and lots of birds.
5. Reserva El Chato
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,900 reviews
Reviewed By Tempusfugit2015 - Roslyn, United States
Great place to see the tortugas in the highlands There us also a lava tube option You get a pair if boots to walk around It was drizzling so bring a poncho and water There are clean facilities and a restaurant avail
6. Playa las Bachas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By RoblynTravels - Maryland, United States
My family and I rode our hotel bikes to this hidden, lovely beach. The only way to the beach is a walk along a long path. However, it’s worth it. You pay a small entry fee, after leaving our bikes at the entrance. We went to explore and was amazed of a large empty and open beach area. Then we walked further and found many folks in a smaller cozy beach area. Waters and sea animals are so pretty to see. What a great beach!
7. Black Turtle Cove
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Black Turtle Cove (Caleta Tortuga Negra) is a mangrove estuary. Although strict regulations protect this environment, tourists commonly visit the cove in pangas (dingy) with the engines turned off. Many rays, sea turtles, pelicans, baby sharks, and other wildlife live among the mangroves and their roots.
Reviewed By itravelnewpaths
We spent some time exploring the cove and saw turtles mating and one tangled in fishing line. We were able to help him onto the panga and return to our ship where the crew freed him of the hook and returned him to Black Turtle Cove. A very special memory.
8. Santa Cruz Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 134 reviews
Reviewed By Escape-overseas - Stevenage, United Kingdom
A long journey fro the UK, but worth every hour of the 29 hours spent getting there, door to door. Located in the centre of the island group it provides a good kicking off spot to explore the other islands. This island is the only one with a road running through it's centre, providing connection between Baltra island airport to the north and the port, which is Santa Cruz, to the south. The town is more established than the population settlements on the other islands and as such has one of the more developed tourist industry, providing numerous restaurants, accommodation, dive shops etc from which to plan your stay within the Galapagos. As such we chose to avoid the busy periods to get away from the crowds, although i understand the islands are implementing a policy of sustainable tourism by increasing the price to enter the region from $100 to $400 per person at some time in 2020 to assist in controlling the growth in the number of visitors. To experience this island we plan 3 to 4 days to visit the sights, having visited previously, before moving on to other islands within the group. If moving between islands you will likely pass through several times during your stay since some islands are only accessible by ferries from this port. To make the most of your visit to the Galapagos plan your visit in advance to make the most of the time available to you - this is a lovely island, but only one of many, with different wildlife on the islands and in the ocean, throughout the group, so traveling between the islands is an essential part of any visit.
9. Playa de los Perros
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By Potreropeggy - Playa Potrero, Costa Rica
We got to this beach on a tour with a glass bottom boat company. The guide was very knowledgeable about the environment and allowed plenty of time for us to explore the beach and photograph the sea iguanas that were nesting/resting there. ( hundreds of them) We were there as the sun was setting and the colors were beautiful.
10. Charles Darwin Research Station
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 3,272 reviews
Headed by a team of more than two hundred scientists, educators, research volunteers and support staff, this world-wide foundation is dedicated to preserving the Galapagos ecosystems.
Reviewed By shannav227
Charles Darwin Research Station is the place to start your trip in the Galapagos. You get assigned a nature guide at the entrance, and they will walk you around and explain the history of Darwin and the animals of the Galapagos, with the main highlight being the Giant Galapagos Tortoise. You get the opportunity to see baby tortoises in the breeding center from each of the islands, as well as tortoises of all different ages. We enjoyed our time here.
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