Ecuador
Great Videos and Photos of the Best Places and Things to see in Santa Cruz Galapagos Islands Ecuador. For the independent traveller who is interested in seeing places while planning their next trip. Or for anyone who likes to be close to nature and see the quieter parts of the country or city
Santa Cruz Galapagos Islands
Galapagos Islands are an archipelago of volcanic islands distributed on either side of the Equator in the Pacific Ocean 906 km (563 mi) west of continental Ecuador. The islands are known for their vast number of endemic species and were studied by Charles Darwin during the second voyage of HMS Beagle, his observations and collections contributed to the inception of Darwin theory of evolution by means of natural selection. The larger islands are as follows San Cristobal, Espanola (Hood), Floreana, Santa Cruz, Bartolome, South Plaza, and North Seymour, Genovesa (Tower), Fernandina, Isabela, San
30 second tour of Santa Cruz Island
Situated in the center of the archipelago, Santa Cruz is the second largest island after Isabela. Its capital is Puerto Ayora, the most populated urban center in the islands. This island is a large dormant volcano.
30 Second Tour
30 second tour of Santa Cruz Island
Santa Cruz Island is located in the center of the archipelago, it is the second largest island after Isabela. Its capital is Puerto Ayora, the most populated urban centre in the islands. The island is a large dormant volcano.
Charles Darwin Research Centre
Charles Darwin Research Centre is located on the shore of Academy Bay in the village of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos Islands. Ecuadorian and foreign scientists work on research and projects for conservation of the Galápagos terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
Giant Tortoises
Charles Darwin Research Centre
Land Iguanas
Charles Darwin Research Centre
Giant Tortoise Reserve
The Giant Tortoise can be seen freely wandering about the Tortoise Reserve a designated area including agricultural land and forest.
Going for a drink
Giant Tortoise Reserve
Head in the mud
Giant Tortoise Reserve
In Pond
Giant Tortoise Reserve
Wallowing in mud
Giant Tortoise Reserve
North Seymour Island
This island is home to a large population of blue-footed boobies and swallow-tailed gulls. It hosts one of the largest populations of Magnificent Frigatebirds and a slow-growing population of the Galápagos land iguanas. The island is easily accessible from Santa Cruz.
Blue Footed Booby Courtship
North Seymour Island
Blue Footed Booby Nesting
North Seymour Island
Blue Footed Booby Pair
North Seymour Island
Magnificent Frigatebird
North Seymour Island
Magnificent Frigatebird Nesting
North Seymour Island
Land Iguana
North Seymour Island
On the Island
North Seymour Island
Arriving by Boat
North Seymour Island
Puerto Ayora
The town is ocated on the southern shore of Santa Cruz Island. It is the most populous town in the Galápagos Islands. Puerto Ayora has the best-developed infrastructure in the archipelago. The town has schools, hotels, restaurants, clothing stores, hardware stores, grocery stores, marine stores, tourist shops and nightclubs.
Puerto Ayora by day
Puerto Ayora
Puerto Ayora at night
Puerto Ayora
Cleaning Fish
Puerto Ayora
Tortuga Bay
The bay is about a 20-minute walk from the main water taxi dock in Puerto Ayora. There is a walking path along the beach (about 3km) .Accessing the beach is restricted and visitors must sign in and out at the start of the path with the Galapagos Park Service office. The bay has a long white sandy beach though it is forbidden to swim as the area is preserved for the wildlife. Along the bay, there are many marine iguanas, Galapagos crabs, and birds.
Tortuga Beach
Tortuga Bay
Marine Iguanas
Tortuga Bay
Santa Cruz - Volcanic Past
As a testimony to its volcanic history, there are two large craters formed by the collapse of a magma chamber Los Gemelos, or "The Twins and there are accessible lava tunnels.
Lava Tunnels
Santa Cruz - Volcanic Past
Volcanic Craters
Santa Cruz - Volcanic Past