Santa Cruz Island

Our destination today was the Charles Darwin Research Station at Santa Cruz Island, the second largest island in the archipelago.

The weather was nice for walking – a hot sunny day with a gentle cool breeze. On our way to the rearing center for giant tortoises, we walked through a very green area full of local vegetation like the gigantic prickly pear cactus.

At the rearing station, we were able to observe the steps taken that have made this center so successful. We had the chance to be very close to the giant tortoises and their babies as well as the world-famous tortoise Lonesome George, among the last of his kind.

Later in the morning, we took buses into the highlands of Santa Cruz for lunch. After a tasty meal and we had a blast at the pool of a local restaurant located at 900 feet elevation. Some of us continued exploring the area while others opted to play some volleyball or have a drink and relax. Soon after some of us headed to Los Gemelos. These are two huge pit craters surrounded by an endemic forest full of Scalecia, a very special plant that is only found in the Galápagos Islands.


After having seen these amazing geological formations, we continued our bus ride to search for Geochelone porteri, Santa Cruz Island’s endemic species of giant tortoise. We had a great time walking in the tall grass finding tortoises in freshwater ponds, watching them drink water and feed on vegetation in the area – completely in their natural habitat. We counted a few, but I think the most impressive moment was when we decided to go into the national park. They told us there were no tortoises on site but, sure enough, there was one walking towards us, a reptile over 400 pounds with a majestic shell simply staring at us. We were moved, what an experience.

Today’s visit was outstanding, and our expedition is about to reach its peak, we are already a big family bounded by the mystical magic called the Galápagos Islands.