Santa Fé
Santa Fé
The visiting site on Santa Fe is on the northeastern corner of the island. The anchorage is very sheltered, being protected by a small cactus covered islet, “Islote Black”, named after the late Juan Black, one of the first Directors of the Galapagos National Park. The bay is quite shallow and you can often see sting rays and green turtles in the clear water. There is good snorkeling around Islote Black.
Santa Fe is noted for its large colony of Sea Lions that live on the white sand beaches at the head of the bay. Visitors often have to find their way around groups of sleeping cows and pups. Be careful of the bull Sea Lion or beach master. He is normally not very aggressive, but can be during the breeding season.
The trail should give you the opportunity to see the Santa Fe Land Iguana, found only on this island, and the delightful endemic rice rat, which is particularly in evidence towards sunset. The vegetation on Santa Fe is notable for the very large Prickly Pear Cacti found here. Not quite as tall as some on Santa Cruz, it is larger and more heavily trunked than any other in the islands.
PICK UP
8:00 from the hotel or meeting point
DROP OFF
16:30 at the hotel or meeting point
RATE
190 - 210 USD
INCLUDES
transportation, naturalist guide and lunch
WATCH OUT FOR
Galapagos Sea Lion, Sand Dollar, Ghost Crab, Galapagos Rice Rat, Galapagos Hawk, Ground Finches, Cactus Finches. Palo Santo, Muyuyo, Galapagos Lantana, leatherleaf, Prickly Pear Cactus, Salt Bush Spiny Bush, Galapagos Croton.