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The Ultimate Santa Cruz Island Guide: Best Things to do in Santa Cruz 2026

Santa Cruz was the first stop on our Galapagos island hopping trip and is one of the easiest islands to explore independently. It has everything from giant tortoises and white sand beaches to free snorkelling spots and full day wildlife tours.

We spent 3 nights in Puerto Ayora and visited the Charles Darwin Research Station, walked the Tortuga Bay trail, swam inside Las Grietas volcanic crevice and took a Pinzon Island boat tour where we snorkelled with sharks, rays and sea lions.

This guide covers the best things to do in Santa Cruz Galapagos, which experiences are worth paying for and how to visit the island without booking an expensive cruise.

Read my Land Based Galapagos 10 Night Guide!

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One of the best things to do in Santa Cruz Galapagos is watch a golden sunset glowing over the ocean harbour filled with anchored local tour boats and water taxis near the main pier.

I felt very safe throughout our time on Santa Cruz and had no problems walking around Puerto Ayora, including after dark. However, I still locked our room, kept an eye on our bags around the busy pier and avoided leaving valuables unattended on the beach.

Your main day to day safety concerns are more likely to be the strong sun, ocean currents and getting too close to the wildlife. Stay at least 2 metres away from all animals and never touch or feed them. Sea lions may bite if they feel threatened and marine iguanas regularly lie across paths so always watch where you are stepping.

You cannot fly directly to the Galapagos from overseas. Flights depart from Quito and Guayaquil on mainland Ecuador. We flew from Quito because locals had advised us against staying in Guayaquil at the time. Our flight stopped there but we remained on the plane while some passengers left and others boarded.

We flew into Seymour Airport on Baltra Island which is the main airport for reaching Santa Cruz. You then need to take a bus, ferry and either another bus or taxi to reach Puerto Ayora. I explain the full journey and costs in my 10 night Galapagos land based itinerary.

Before checking in for your flight on the mainland, you need to obtain a Transit Control Card and have your luggage inspected. The card currently costs USD $20. Foreign visitors aged 12 and over must also pay the USD $200 Galapagos National Park entrance fee when they arrive. We paid this in cash, so have enough US dollars ready before flying.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you book or purchase through them at no extra cost to you. Read my full affiliate disclosure.

A large green sea turtle swimming through the crystal clear blue ocean water during a day trip excursion.

1. Charles Darwin Research Centre

The Charles Darwin Research Station is around a 15 minute walk from the centre of Puerto Ayora and was one of the first places we visited. Entry to the main research station is free but when we visited we paid USD $10 per person for a guide to enter the giant tortoise breeding centre. Our full visit took around 2 hours.

The guide took us along the paths to see giant tortoises of different ages and explained how the breeding programmes have helped protect their populations. We also spotted marine iguanas and sea lions sleeping beside the footpath during the walk there so the wildlife starts before you even reach the entrance.

Pro Tip: You can only go to the information centre without a tour guide and not actually in the grounds where the tortoises are so I recommend getting a guide.

3 massive prehistoric giant tortoises gathering around a dirt feeding area inside a large walled conservation enclosure.

The main information building at the national park headquarters surrounded by green trees and volcanic stone paths.

2. Hike the Tortuga Bay Trail to Playa Mansa

The Tortuga Bay trail follows a flat paved path through a cactus forest and takes around 45 minutes each way. When we visited we paid USD $10 per person at the ranger booth before starting the walk. Bring water, snacks and sunscreen because there are no shops along the trail or at the beach.

The first beach you reach is Playa Brava which has some of the whitest sand I saw across all 3 islands. The currents are too strong for swimming, so continue along the beach until you reach the sheltered water at Playa Mansa.

You can swim, snorkel or rent a kayak at Playa Mansa. Double kayaks cost USD $10 when we visited and gave us a better chance of spotting white tip reef sharks around the mangroves. Watch where you step because marine iguanas love sunbathing right across the path lol.

Pro Tip: You can always do this on your layover day when travelling between Isabela and San Cristobal so do not stay an extra day on Santa Cruz just to fit this in.

A vast completely empty stretch of brilliant white sand beach meeting the rough blue waves of the open ocean under a bright sky.

3. Snorkel on a Pinzon Island Boat Tour

A Pinzon Island boat tour is one of the best day trips from Puerto Ayora. We paid USD $140 per person for a full day mini yacht tour which included lunch, snacks, soft drinks and GoPro photos.

The snorkelling was really fun and we swam alongside huge rays, sea lions and white tip reef sharks. One sea lion even decided to poo directly in front of my mask which was not quite the wildlife encounter I had imagined lol.

If Santa Cruz is the only island you are visiting, I thought the Pinzon Island tour was worth the money. However if you are also visiting Isabela and San Cristobal I would prioritise Los Tuneles or Kicker Rock because I personally preferred the snorkelling on those tours. I cannot comment on scuba diving because we only snorkelled.

If you would like to pre book your tour before you arrive then check this one out on GetYourGuide

A large school of bright colourful tropical fish swimming around dark volcanic rocks underwater in clear ocean water.

A backpacker diving deep down into the clear blue ocean water towards a large white tip reef shark resting on the sandy seabed.

4. Visit the Santa Cruz Highlands and El Chato Tortoise Reserve

We did not visit the Santa Cruz Highlands during our trip but El Chato Tortoise Reserve is a popular option if you want to see giant tortoises roaming freely through open fields. The private reserve also has underground lava tunnels you can walk through.

Many visitors hire a taxi from Puerto Ayora and combine El Chato with Los Gemelos which are two large volcanic craters in the highlands. This could be a good option if you want to see more of inland Santa Cruz rather than spending another day snorkelling or at the beach.

5. Swim in the Las Grietas Volcanic Crevice

To reach Las Grietas, we took a water taxi from the main pier which cost USD $4 return. From the drop off point you walk past Playa de los Alemanes before following the trail to the volcanic crevice.

We paid USD $12 per person for entry which included a guide. The volcanic walls look incredible from inside the water and we saw loads of large fish while snorkelling. Try to visit during the first 9 am time slot because it was really quiet when we arrived but a huge crowd appeared as we were leaving.

Bring your own snorkel because buying an emergency one in Puerto Ayora cost me USD $55 after I forgot mine lol.

Top tip: Guides departed every hour when we visited. If you miss your allocated time, you may need to wait for the next group, so allow enough time for the water taxi and walk from the pier.

A swimmer diving down into the crystal clear brackish water inside the steep volcanic rock canyon walls.

The dramatic rock canyon walls and clear turquoise water of Las Grietas in Santa Cruz

6. Watch the Wildlife at Puerto Ayora Fish Market

This tiny open air fish market is on the main street towards the Charles Darwin Research Station and is such a funny place to watch the local wildlife for free. Pelicans and sea lions gather around the counters waiting for scraps while the daily catch is being prepared.

We stood watching one lady trying to scale a fish and remove the bones while a cheeky sea lion and pelican repeatedly tried to sneak up behind her and steal it lol. It is only a quick stop but definitely worth visiting while walking to the research station.

7. Relax at Playa de los Alemanes

You will walk past Playa de los Alemanes on the way to Las Grietas so it is easy to combine both in the same morning. We stopped here afterwards to sunbathe and relax for a few hours.

The resident ducks have absolutely no fear of humans and walked straight over to sit beside our towels. You must never touch or feed them but I obviously still took a selfie lol.

A small resident duck standing on the sand at Playa de los Alemanes right next to where beach towels are laid out.

A travel blogger taking a selfie with a duck on the beach trail leading to Las Grietas.

8. Watch the Sunset at the Pier with a Local Beer

Most evenings we grabbed a cheap local beer from the supermarket beside the main pier and sat near the water to watch the sunset. It was also one of the best times to see the sea lions because they became really active as the boats returned for the evening.

They loved playing in the waves created by the water taxis and tour boats coming back into the harbour. It is such an easy and cheap way to finish the day in Puerto Ayora.

A golden sunset glowing over the ocean harbour filled with anchored local tour boats and water taxis near the main pier.

A large Galapagos pelican sitting on the wooden pier in Santa Cruz Island

9. Relax at Playa de la Estacion

Playa de la Estacion is only a 5 minute walk from the Charles Darwin Research Station so it is easy to visit afterwards. We saw bright red crabs, sea lions and marine iguanas swimming around the beach.

It is only small but we spent a couple of hours relaxing here while still seeing loads of marine life for free.

A vibrant bright red Sally Lightfoot crab crawling over the dark volcanic rocks at Playa de la Estacion near the conservation grounds.

A large black native marine iguana using its long tail to swim smoothly through the surface of the clear ocean water.

10. Eat on Restaurant Street

We ate on Restaurant Street every evening because it was one of the cheapest places we found for dinner in Puerto Ayora. Several local restaurants offer a menu del dia and we paid around USD $10 per person when we visited.

The set meal usually included a starter soup, a main dish such as fresh fish or chicken with rice and a soft drink. Eating in the Galapagos can be expensive, so this was an easy way to keep our food budget down.

Where to Stay in Santa Cruz Galapagos

For your first visit, I recommend staying in Puerto Ayora so you can walk to the main pier, restaurants, shops and several of the places included in this guide. It is also the easiest base for catching public ferries and joining boat tours.

Budget: Hostal Vista al Mar – We stayed in a private room at Hostal Vista al Mar for 3 nights. It was reasonably priced and within walking distance of the main pier, Restaurant Street and the Charles Darwin Research Station. It was a simple option but the location made it a really practical base for exploring Santa Cruz on a budget.
Mid-range: Hotel Fiesta – Hotel Fiesta is in a quieter part of Puerto Ayora but still within walking distance of the town centre and Tortuga Bay trail. It has a swimming pool and includes breakfast, making it a good option if you want more comfort without paying luxury Galapagos prices.
Luxury: Blu Galapagos Sustainable Waterfront Lodge – Blu Galapagos Sustainable Waterfront Lodge is a waterfront option in Puerto Ayora close to the Charles Darwin Research Station. It has an onsite restaurant and outdoor areas overlooking the water, making it a good choice if you want a more luxurious stay while remaining within walking distance of the town centre.

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If you are heading back to mainland Ecuador after exploring the islands, check out my complete mainland Ecuador itinerary.

I have broken down our exact budget route, how to use the cheap public buses, the high altitude hikes worth your time (hellooo Cotopaxi) and how to experience some of the best culture, wildlife and outdoor adventures across Quito, Mindo, Cotopaxi, Banos and Cuenca.

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Where to next?

I am always planning my next trip and sharing everything I learn along the way. If you would like to follow my travels through 44 countries and beyond, join me on social media. From places I loved to the things I would probably do differently next time, I share honest travel advice to help you plan your own adventures. I would love to have you along for the journey.