Santa Fe Island is a must-visit for travelers exploring the Galapagos. The island’s scenery is stunning, with a serene, bright blue bay and unique woodlands filled with giant prickly pear cacti. It also has the highest concentration of native animal species among all the Galapagos islands, making it an incredible spot for activities like hiking, snorkeling, and diving.
The island’s distinctive vegetation adds to its charm. There are palo santo trees, the towering Opuntia echios cactus, and various shrubs. The cactus forest is especially remarkable, as these giant cacti form a dense, impressive landscape. Unlike the rugged terrain of many other Galapagos islands, Santa Fe has relatively flat land, making it easy to explore.
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How to Get to Santa Fe Island
Santa Fe Island’s proximity to Santa Cruz Island makes it a perfect day-trip option for those choosing a land-based Galapagos adventure. Since the island is uninhabited and lacks public transportation or infrastructure, the only way to reach it is through organized day tours.
These day trips typically last about eight hours, starting early in the morning with a scenic 40-minute boat ride. The tours usually include guided walks to explore the island’s wildlife, snorkeling sessions in the vibrant waters, and onboard refreshments, including lunch and snacks.
Attractions and Activities in Santa Fe
Santa Fe Island offers visitors a range of engaging activities despite having only one official visitor site. There are two trekking paths that allow you to explore the island’s unique landscapes and native wildlife. For water enthusiasts, Barrington Bay’s calm, turquoise waters are ideal for snorkeling and canoeing, with diverse marine life to discover. Santa Fe also boasts three dive sites, each offering an incredible opportunity to witness the underwater biodiversity of the Galapagos.
Read on to learn more about the specific visitor spots and activities available on this beautiful island.
Barrington Bay
Barrington Bay on Santa Fe Island is a picturesque, sheltered cove with clear blue water that instantly sets a welcoming tone. As we disembarked onto the beach, playful Galapagos sea lions greeted us, adding excitement to our arrival. The island has two trails for visitors: a shorter coastal loop along the beach and a longer hike leading to the clifftop.
The coastal loop offers an up-close view of the towering Santa Fe cactus, known as the Galapagos’ tallest and thickest prickly pear plants. This area is also a prime spot for spotting Santa Fe’s unique land iguanas, which blend beautifully into the rocky landscape.
The second trail ascends to the cliffs of Santa Fe, where Galapagos seabirds are known to nest. The hike is a bit steep, but the reward at the top is worth every step – sweeping views over the island and the surrounding waters. Along the cliff ledges, we spotted nesting sites for a variety of marine birds. It was thrilling to see swallow-tailed gulls, Petrels, boobies, and Frigates in their natural habitat, and the red-billed Tropicbird with its elegant, long tail feathers was a definite highlight.
Snorkeling on Santa Fe Island
Barrington Bay offers an unforgettable snorkeling experience, and it’s especially popular for its playful Galapagos sea lions. These curious creatures seem genuinely fascinated by humans, and it’s a thrill to see them up close. As we snorkeled, sea lions would dart toward us, then circle around, as if inviting us to join in their underwater games. They move with incredible speed and agility, playfully weaving around us like joyful kids in the water. It’s an experience that really adds a magical touch to visiting Santa Fe Island.
Diving on Santa Fe Island
Santa Fe Island offers a fantastic diving experience, with quiet waters and clear visibility, perfect for beginners and intermediate divers. Day diving trips from Santa Cruz bring you to three main sites: El Fondeador, La Encanada, and Costa Este. Among the Galapagos Islands, Santa Fe stands out for diving with sea lions, which make every dive feel like a unique encounter as they zoom around, playful and curious.
We were thrilled to spot not only sea lions but also black striped salemas, stingrays, and a variety of rays, from marbled to mobula. White tip reef sharks and the occasional Galapagos shark can be found at Costa Este, adding an extra layer of excitement. Turtles, crustaceans, and even the elusive Galapagos eel are common, making Santa Fe an underwater paradise for divers looking to immerse themselves in the Galapagos marine life.
Wildlife on Santa Fe Island
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Santa Fe Island hosts some unique wildlife, including the endemic Santa Fe land iguana and the rice rat. Over time, the island has welcomed a wide array of fauna, giving visitors plenty to see.
While exploring, we spotted various bird species along the cliffs—swallow-tailed gulls, shearwater petrels, and striking red-billed tropicbirds. Mockingbirds, finches, and the occasional Galapagos hawk also make appearances here, adding to the diverse birdwatching opportunities. The island is home to many lava lizards too, often basking in the sun on the rocks. Santa Fe truly offers a rich blend of wildlife, making it an exciting stop for anyone exploring the Galapagos.
Weather on Santa Fe Island
Santa Fe Island shares the typical Galapagos weather patterns. Expect warm, comfortable conditions most of the time, though not excessively hot. In the rainy season, you might experience brief showers, but they rarely last all day, so they don’t disrupt activities too much. Just like on the other islands, it’s wise to be prepared for a quick rain shower but still count on plenty of sunny, enjoyable weather for exploring and wildlife viewing.
Bottom Line
Santa Fe Island in the Galapagos is an extraordinary destination for visitors of all ages. It’s home to unique species you won’t find anywhere else on Earth, and even the giant prickly pear cactus towers higher here than on other islands. If you’re looking for a truly special experience, make sure to add Santa Fe Island to your Galapagos itinerary!
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