Santa Cruz Island

Home to the largest town in the Galapagos, Puerto Ayora, the Island has a large variety of vegetation. Pit craters, Scalesia Forest, cacti and ferns are found in its vegetation zones. The island is comprised of a younger part formed by volcanic cones and lava and an older narrow strip of land formed by uplifted lava flows and tuffs.

 

Fast Facts:	Visitor sites*:
Santa Cruz is the only island with six different vegetation zones. Animals: Giant Tortoises, land and marine iguanas, variety of birds Area: 380 sq. mi Highest Point: 2,834 ft	Black Turtle Cove Cerro Mesa Charles Darwin Station Highlands Los Gemelos Lava Tunnels Tortuga Bay Garrapatero Beach El Chato

 

*Note that not all the cruises visiting this island include all the listed points.