Things to do on Santa Cruz Island– without booking an organized tour
Highlands of Santa Cruz – giant tortoises
Puerto Ayora pier
Fish Market
Tortuga Bay beach
Charles Darwin Research Station
Las Grietas – natural pools
Highlands of Santa Cruz Island - home of giant tortoises
The central area of Santa Cruz Island is a must-visit when you come to Galapagos, particularly due to its high density of endemic Scalesia forests and the opportunity to see wild giant tortoises in their natural habitat. Santa Cruz Island offers a diversity of micro-climates. While the coastal regions in the North tend to be desert-like, the elevated parts of the island are characterized by lush green forests, lava tubes and craters and an abundance of wildlife. The main attraction is a visit to one of the giant tortoise reserves, also called “ranchos” by the locals. The most famous ones are “El Chato” and “Primicias” close to the village Santa Rosa, where you can see lots of tortoises grazing or relaxing in little ponds. This is the perfect opportunity to take pictures, just make sure to keep the mandatory distance of at least 2 meters and turn off your camera’s flash, in order not to disturb the wild animals. There are also underground lava tubes on the properties for you to discover and each “rancho” has a restaurant on site. Another stop close to the village of Santa Rosa is Los Gemelos, two collapsed lava chambers that look like giant craters and are situated in the endemic Scalesia forest. Great for a leisurely walk, taking pictures and bird watching.
When to visit: Tortoise reserves open everyday 7:00am-5:30pm.
How to get there: Take a taxi from Hotel Acacia. Front desk staff will be happy to arrange one for you. The driver will take you to the tortoises and wait for you until you’ve finished the visit.
Cost: The taxi ride costs $40-$50 round trip, depending on the number of stops along the way. Around $10 per person entrance fee to the tortoise reserve.
Tips: You can do this activity on the way from the airport to the hotel or vice versa. There are many more places to visit in the highlands. Just ask at the front desk and we will be happy to provide you with some insider tips.
Puerto Ayora pier
This is the sea lions’ favourite place to take a little siesta. You can see them laying on the benches close to people passing by. They don’t seem to care! Look onto the water and you might be able to see sea turtles, little sharks or a school of golden rays passing by. Even some pelicans like to sit on the railings sometimes! You never know what might await you…
When to visit: Open all day, everyday. You can go at any time of the day, but underwater wildlife can be spotted especially at nighttime, when the artificial lights attract them to get closer to the pier.
How to get there: From Hotel Acacia it is an easy 10 minute walk along the main avenue.
Cost: $0
Tips: Enjoy taking photos of the sleeping sea lions – just don’t forget they are wild animals and unpredictable. For your own safety and in order to not disturn them, please always keep at least 2 meters distance to all animals and turn off your camera’s flash.
Fish market
Ever seen sea lions and pelicans fighting with frigate birds over left over fish? Here is where it all happens. When local fishermen return from sea with the catch of the day, the fish market attracts all kinds of animals that are searching for an easy snack. As the locals process the fish, the birds and sea lions are awaiting pieces that are falling down or cannot be used. This spectacular event is happening everyday in the morning until noon. You can not only observe the animals up close, but you could also buy some fresh catch of fish or lobster and take it to one of the restaurants close by that offer to prepare it for you.
When to visit: Everyday in the morning until midday when the fishermen return with their boats.
How to get there? From Hotel Acacia it’s only a 2 minute walk down to the Charles Darwin Avenue. Cross the street, then turn right and you will already be able to see the fish market.
Cost: $0 to visit; fish and shell fish are being sold by the pound
Tips: Don’t forget your camera! If you are lucky, you will be able to take close shots of pelicans, frigate birds or even sea lions that are hanging around waiting for the occasional snack.
Tortuga Bay beach
Santa Cruz’s most beautiful beach that is accessible from the town of Puerto Ayora. An absolute must-do and one of the few activities in Galapagos without an entrance fee. Picture a picturesque long beach with white sand and beautiful turquoise water.
How to get there: You can either take a speed boat from the main pier (aprox. 20 minutes) or walk there (aprox. 3km from Hotel Acacia, 40 minutes). The trail starts where the town line meets the national park and you will need to register at the entrance to the trail. Please take into account that Tortuga Bay is within the national park. For that reason, no facilities can be found there. Make sure to bring enough water, snacks, and sun protection to keep yourself safe from that strong equator radiation! Our team at Hotel Acacia is happy to provide you with some complimentary beach towels! If you choose to walk, the paved walkway through a cactus forest is an experience in itself. Once you come closer to the end of the path you are greeted with white sand and deep blue Pacific Ocean water.
Careful!
It is not allowed to swim at the long beach with waves and strong currents. Keep walking along the beach until you reach a more protected area, a natural lagoon called Playa Mansa, which is framed by mangroves and home to various animals like pelicans and other birds, iguanas as well as little sharks, rays and other marine animals. Take a seat in the shade under one of the mangrove trees and soak in a typical Galapagos experience at the beach! You can bring your snorkel gear and see what you can find under the surface or rent a kayak.
When to visit: Open 7:00am-5:30pm. Usually, the park rangers will ask everyone to leave by 5:00pm to make it to the exit on time.
Cost: $0 if you are walking; the speed boat has a charge of around $10 per person each way. Ask for speed boat schedules at the front desk.
Charles Darwin Research Station
Following the path of Charles Darwin and his evolution theory.
A certified naturalist guide will accompany you to provide you with valuable information along the route through the premises of the Charles Darwin Research Station. You will get to learn about the volcanic islands, its unique flora and fauna and threats to its fragile ecosystems. The Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre is where you can learn about efforts to save certain species of tortoises. You can even see them live in different stages of their life cycle. Finally, one of the highlights of the visit is the exhibition room, where you can see the preserved body of the famous Solitary George, the last one of his species from La Pinta Island. The museum at the end of the route gives an overview of past and current research efforts.
After your visit you may stop by the beach Playa de la Estación. Signs are guiding you to find the way. Here you can go for a swim or snorkel, relax and soak in the view of the bay of Academy Bay.
How to get there: The entrance to the Charles Darwin Research Station is just a 10 minute walk away from Hotel Acacia and the city centre, just follow the Charles Darwin Avenue all the way to the end.
When to visit: Open everyday 7:00am-5:00pm. The guided tours start at various times throughout the day with English or Spanish speaking guides. Just ask when the next tour departs at the entrance. The exhibition hall and museum typically close a little earlier, so make sure to go on time.
Cost: $10 entrance fee for the 1.5 hour guided tour and visit of the exhibition hall and museum.
Las Grietas - natural pools
Ready for adventure?
Swimming between two large lava walls is definitely an adventure you don’t want to miss when you’re on Galapagos. Crystal clear waters make Las Grietas an excellent swimming and snorkelling spot. Perfect to refresh on a hot day. Las Grietas means “The cracks”, which is due to its origin being actual cracks in the island’s lava surface. The cravice is filled with rainwater and saltwater through underground filtration from the nearby bay. Apart from the canyon-like natural pools, the viewpoint at the top and the path with cacti and salt lagoons also make the visit worthwhile.
When to visit: Open everyday between 7:00am and 5:00pm - The guided tours start at various times throughout the day with English or Spanish guides. Just ask when the next tour departs at the entry point.
How to get there: Make your way to the Puerto Ayora Pier (either walk around 10 minutes from Hotel Acacia or take a taxi to get there. Our team at reception is happy to help you with arranging a taxi). From the pier you take one of the yellow and blue water taxis and let them know you would like to go to Las Grietas ($1.00 per person). They will drop you off at a dock next to IslaGrill Restaurant. From this point, it is a 15 minutes walk to get to Las Grietas. On the way you will pass the beach Playa de los Alemanes.
Cost: Apart from transportation costs, the entrance fee is $10 per person to be paid at the entry point to Las Grietas. Includes a 1.5 h tour with a naturalist guide who takes you along salt lagoons up to the swimming hole and the main viewpoint.
Tips: Bring you snorkelling mask to enjoy the swimming holes with its crystal clear waters! Also make sure to wear solid shoes as the walkway is made of lava rocks and surrounded by cactus. It is not unlikely that you will find cactus spikes on your way to the swimming holes.