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Galapagos | Ecuador | Peru |
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| Santa Cruz (Indefatigable) - Galapagos Island GuideWildlife, Marine Life, Conservation & Geology | |||||||
 Tel 0844 412 0848 Intl +44 1428 620012 Wilderness Yacht Safaris Galapagos Wildlife Yacht Safaris Galapagos Dive Liveaboards Galapagos and Amazon by Sea Kayak, Dugout Canoe, Trekking, Biking & Snorkelling |
Area Size: 986 Km² Introduction Santa Cruz is the second largest of the Galapagos Islands, situated in the centre of the archipelago proving a wealth of wildlife, geology and vegetation. She lies in very close proximity to Baltra island, where Galapagos's main airport is located, and is therefore the starting point for many of Aqua-Firma's Wildlife Yacht Safaris, Yacht & Lodge Safaris and Hotel Based Diving trips throughout many if the inner islands. Humans first settled on the island in the years between the first and second World Wars, after which villages became established in the Highlands and thus provided prime farmland for growing coffee and various fruits. Cattle were soon introduced and at the same time, Santa Cruz developed into the thriving tourist destination that it is today. The largest settlement on Santa Cruz is Puerto Ayora, which is located on the southern shore of the island. It is a charming, yet buzzing port town boasting sun, sea, sand and sailboats. The town offers an array of tourist amenities, including restaurant, hotels, bars, our scuba diving base and shops, whilst its shoreline is lined with cactus, pelicans, boobies and marine iguanas. On the outskirts of Puerto Ayora lies the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS), harbouring Lonesome George, the famous one of a kind, 150 year old Pinta giant tortoise. Santa Cruz is the only island that has a road crossing its interior and thus provides visitors with a rare opportunity to witness areas of the island that would otherwise not be accessible. The road runs from Puerto Ayora in the south to the Itabaca Channel crossing in the north. A ferry here takes you to Baltra Island and the main airport in the Galapagos. Tortuga Bay, named after the tortoises that go there to lay their eggs, boasts one of the finest beaches in the Galapagos and is a favourite location from which to watch the sunset. This is also a great beach for swimming and surfing and a likely location in which to encounter pelicans, marine iguanas and flamingos. Although the beach requires a ninety minute walk to reach, it is most definitely worth it and visitors can often expect to have it to themselves. Photographs kindly provided by Ralph Pannell The Beagle - Mary Anne - Cachalote - Sagitta - Amazonia - Samba - Beluga - Galaxy - Princess Grace - Aida Maria - Eden - Evolution - Eclipse - Grand Odyssey - Journey I - Eric - Flamingo - Letty - Odyssey - Athala - Nemo I - Nemo II - Diamante - Alta - Lammer Law - Rachel - La Pinta - Humboldt Explorer - Parranda - Isabela (Albemarie) - Santa Cruz (Indefatigable) - San Cristobal (Chatham) - Baltra (South Seymour) - North Seymour (Seymour Norte) - Fernandina (Narborough) - Española (Hood) - Genovesa (Tower) - Bartolomé (Bartolemew) - Santiago (San Salvador or James) - Santa María (Floreana or Charles) - Marchena (Blindoe) - Mosquera - Plaza Sur (South Plaza) - Pinta (Abingdon) - Pinzón (Duncan) - Santa Fé (Barrington) - Rabida (Jervis) - Daphne Galapagos wildlife birdlife birdwatching & natural history holidays - Sail Galapagos islands - expedition cruise vacation holiday - Ecuador responsible travel - Amazon - Andes - Quito - Guayaquil - sky aggressor - Dive Snorkel Diving & Snorkelling - kayak westsuit - Latin & South America journey - Specialist Guided Photography holidays workshops - Charles Darwin Research Station - Galapagos Conservation Trust - Rainforest Concern |
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