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Although officially known as Santiago, the island is also variously known as James (its English name), Olmedo, Gil, and York. It covers a total surface area of 585 square kilometres, and its highest point is 907 metres above sea level.

Some of the potential landing sites and highlights around Santiago Island are shown below.  There are two kinds of landing: a “dry” landing, where you step from the panga (dinghy) that takes you ashore directly onto rocks or a jetty, and a “wet” landing, where the panga edges into a sandy beach, and you step out into knee-deep water and wade ashore.

Buccaneer Cove

Buccaneer Cove

This cove bears testament to the fact that Santiago was once a refuge for British buccaneers, who would anchor in the sheltered bay to repair their ships and stock up on tortoise meat among other things. The steep cliffs, where hundreds of seabirds perch overlooking the beach of dark red sand, are a magnificent site.

  • Location highlights: Historical site, Rock formations
  • Activities: Snorkelling, Walking (Approximately 1km hike along the beach)
  • Landing conditions: All times: Wet
  • Physical demand: Gentle

Playa Espumilla

Playa Espumilla

This beach is a popular place for marine iguanas and Sally Lightfoot crabs, which attract herons in search of food. Snorkelling here is highly recommended – the abundance of marine life includes octopus, moray eels and sharks.

  • Activities: Snorkelling, Swimming
  • Landing conditions: All times: Wet
  • Physical demand: Gentle

Puerto Egas

Puerto Egas

Also known as James Bay, this site is home to Galapagos hawks and nimble Galapagos lava lizards. The visitor trail leads to a coastline with tidal pools and grottos full of fauna. Here the Galapagos sealions bathe in the sun. It’s also a great place for snorkelling.

  • Location highlights: Tidal pools, Grottos, Underwater formations
  • Activities: Snorkelling, Walking (Approximately 2km hike)
  • Landing conditions: All times: Wet
  • Physical demand: Moderate

View suggested itineraries

Key info

  • Ideal for viewing: Galapagos penguin, South American fur seal, Galapagos hawk, lava lizard, American flamingo, Sally Lightfoot crab, marine iguana, brown pelican
  • Where: Central islands, Galapagos Islands

Wildlife trips

This wildlife location is featured in the following itineraries:

Galapagos Islands: Luxury on Land

Discover the natural wonders of the Galapagos archipelago and its unique wildlife by land, sea and air. Accommodation is a tented safari camp on Santa Cruz Island, with daily excursions to some of the surrounding islands, where you will find Galapagos sealions, green turtles, flamingos and white tip reef sharks. Find out more about Galapagos Islands: Luxury on Land

  • Price (inc. flights): 10 days from £6,595
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
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Wildlife of Ecuador & the Galapagos

Combine two of South America’s finest wildlife destinations – the Amazon rainforest and the Galapagos Islands. View the outstanding variety of wildlife on walking trails and by boat from a luxury eco-lodge in the Amazon jungle, and cruise the unique Galapagos archipelago for close-up wildlife encounters. Find out more about Wildlife of Ecuador & the Galapagos

  • Price (inc. flights): 12 days from £7,275
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
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Amazon & the Galapagos

Take a look at the fantastic wildlife of Ecuador with three days in the Amazon jungle in a private reserve, taking guided boat trips and enjoying bird’s eye views from the canopy walkway. A week’s cruise around the Galapagos Islands tops off the trip with close bird and marine life encounters. Find out more about Amazon & the Galapagos

  • Price (inc. flights): 16 days from £9,195
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
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East Galapagos Luxury Expedition

This 7-night luxury expedition voyage, uncovers the delights of the eastern islands, combining unparalleled natural beauty, exotic wildlife, and remarkable history. Your companions on the trip include endemic giant tortoise, Galapagos penguin, dense colonies of land iguana and the rare waved albatross. Find out more about East Galapagos Luxury Expedition

  • Price (exc. flights): 8 days from £8,470
  • Trip type:
    Voyage
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Galapagos Exclusive with Mark Carwardine

Exclusive voyage

Travelling aboard the exclusively chartered MV Beluga in the company of broadcaster Mark Carwardine and Founder Chris Breen, we have designed a comprehensive itinerary to experience and photograph the famed wildlife of the Galapagos gaining a fascinating insight into the ecology of the archipelago. Find out more about Galapagos Exclusive with Mark Carwardine

  • Price (inc. flights): 15 days from £13,995
  • Trip type:
    Voyage
  • When to go:
    • M
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Ultimate Galapagos Luxury Expedition

Boasting an astonishing array of wildlife, this bucket-list expedition combines the very best of the east and west Galapagos islands, in search of exotic marine life, a wonderful array of bird species, and fascinating terrestrial animals, all from the comfort of a luxurious, expedition superyacht. Find out more about Ultimate Galapagos Luxury Expedition

  • Price (exc. flights): 15 days from £15,995
  • Trip type:
    Voyage
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West Galapagos Luxury Expedition

Explore the west Galapagos Islands, on board a luxury expedition superyacht. Home to large colonies of marine iguana, sea lions basking in the sun, and iconic blue-footed boobies displaying their legendary mating dances, these enchanting islands offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience for wildlife enthusiasts. Find out more about West Galapagos Luxury Expedition

  • Price (exc. flights): 8 days from £8,470
  • Trip type:
    Voyage
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Western Galapagos Highlights

Spend a week cruising some of the larger islands in the Galapagos, including Isabela, the largest of the archipelago and home to flamingos, Galapagos penguins, green turtles and land iguanas. Discover a host of unique bird species, including magnificent frigatebirds and iconic blue-footed boobies. Find out more about Western Galapagos Highlights

  • Price (exc. flights): 8 days from £4,395
  • Trip type:
    Voyage
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Recommended cruise vessels:

Aqua Mare

This intimate and luxurious superyacht boasts custom-designed interiors, a sun deck with outdoor dining, a panoramic indoor lounge and a lower deck swim platform. With seven individually designed cabins and a timeless, yet contemporary, style throughout, Aqua Mare is a superb luxurious choice. Find Out More about Aqua Mare

Cachalote Explorer

This charming vessel provides comfortable accommodation for your exploration of the Galapagos Islands. With a maximum of 16 passengers, in eight well-appointed cabins, this small-ship offers an intimate sailing experience and all the amenities you would expect of a high-quality motor vessel. Find Out More about Cachalote Explorer

Santa Cruz II

The Santa Cruz II is an elegant vessel, which carries 90 passengers in 50 modern cabins. Air conditioned throughout, facilities across the five spacious decks include indoor and outdoor dining, a lounge bar, library, a gym and two hot tubs overlooking the ocean. Activities include kayaking and snorkelling. Find Out More about Santa Cruz II