Without a doubt, the Galapagos Islands are an exotic and dreamy destination. However, many travelers think cruising is the only way to enjoy the archipelago. Yet, that’s not true! Indeed, the Galapagos Land Tour and Island Hopping are becoming more popular among travelers; let us know in the comment if you would like us to discuss this trend.
Yet, in this article, we want to unveil some of the Galapagos wonders that travelers can experience on navigable day tours when staying on Santa Cruz Island.
Are you ready to take your mind to some of the most beautiful and iconic destinations in the Galapagos? We hope you are.
Santa Cruz, the operation base island
Santa Cruz is the main inhabited island within the archipelago, with around 30,000 islanders. Its main town is Puerto Ayora, where many restaurants, hotels, and services are based.
Santa Cruz is also close to the main airport that serves the Galapagos, the former US military airport located on Baltra Island, which nowadays is one of the ecological airports in the world.
Choosing Santa Cruz to stay is a clever way to maximize the investment while enjoying the local way of life and meeting islanders and residents. At the same time, this island is surrounded by a series of uninhabited islands, very different among them, which can be visited on a day tour. In that way, travelers can experience the uniqueness of the Galapagos archipelago without taking a cruise.
Santa Fe Island, the paradise of endemic species
Santa Fe Island, or Barrington Island as it used to be known, is one of the oldest islands of the archipelago. Its geology is around 4 million years old, and that’s why the high endemism level.
Santa Fe is close to the southeast side of Santa Cruz Island.
The island mesmerizes its visitors with its turquoise and green clear waters. Not in vain; it’s an excellent destination for snorkeling and diving among playful sea lions and Galapagos marine iguanas. At the same time, Giant Cactus Opuntia (Opuntia echios), Palo Santo Forest, and big cliffs host several bird species.
In terms of activities, travelers can expect not only to snorkel/dive clear waters and trek an impressive landscape and watch a unique number of birds, like the Blue-footed Boobies, Frigate Birds, Swallow-tailed gulls, or the Galapagos Hawk.
Don’t forget that it is the only place where people can see the endemic Santa Fe Land Iguana with its characteristic yellowish-pale color and big size, compared with the Galapagos land iguana.
North Seymour, the birds’ land
North Seymour is one of the most visited islands on cruises or daily tours. The variety of marine birds and iconic bird species makes it a must-visit place in the Galapagos Islands.
This uplifted underwater layer island created a mostly flat island ideal for travelers with kids. Birdwatchers also adore this island because of the number of bird species they can find here.
Imagine landing at Seymour and then being received by a couple of loving blue-footed boobies performing the mating ritual dance. Or what about seeing the two species of frigate birds, the magnificent and the common one? Amazing, isn’t it?
If all of that is not enough to be impressed by the Galapagos ecosystem, the landscapes will mesmerize any traveler. Firstly, the arid terrain with a yellowish color contrasted by the red vegetation. At the same time, the forest of Palo Santo and Cactus Opuntia Forest will drop your jaw.
Watch this short video about these four Galapagos destinations
South Plazas where retired sea lions live
Have you ever imagined that there is a colony of +1000 retired sea lions in the Galapagos Islands? Yes, and that’s the “single sea lion colony.” A heterogeneous collection of male sea lions, mostly elderly, have lost their territories. Yet, surprisingly, they climb up the cliff via some rocky steps. Hopefully, and with good sight, travelers will be able to spot some of the battle scars and shark bites that many of these lone sea lions have on their bodies.
Stay focused on the landscape’s beauty because we must watch out for our steps. There are many land iguanas, the smallest species in the archipelago!
Another highlight is the windy cliff where red-billed tropical birds, swallow-tailed gulls, brown pelicans, and the impressive frigate bird usually fly around. The trail meanders along the edge of the ridge for a few hundred meters.
Bartolome, the most pictured pinnacle in the Galapagos
What’s the first image you may get about the Galapagos landscape? We bet that is the beautiful picture of the Pinnacle Rock in Bartolome Island from the lookout.
Did you know it’s possible to see up to ten other islands from Bartolome’s lookout on a clear day?
But, as it is in life, getting the reward requires effort. At Bartolome, travelers need to take around 400 steps to get the best view of the Galapagos archipelago.
Another highlight of this breathtaking destination is that it’s possible to see the rare and unique Galapagos penguin, the second smallest penguin in the world and the only tropical penguin.
In addition to the view, landscape, and penguins, Bartolome gifts travelers with juvenile sharks swimming along the island. Thus, a snorkeling experience in Bartolome is finding the torpedoes, as penguins are locally known, underwater swimming among the playful sea lions and small sharks.
If you’re asking how to arrange these daily tours up to this point, don’t worry! A new yacht for the daily excursion is about to be born, and that’s the Galaxy Daily. The latest boat of Galagents Galapagos Cruises fleet.
To know more about it, please visit www.galaxydailyonboard.com, and don’t forget to contact us to get information about the online availability and blocking system to ensure travelers’ spaces onboard this novel yacht that offers adventure without compromising comfort.