Santa Cruz Island
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VISITOR SITES
LAS BACHAS BEACH
This site takes about one hour to reach by sea. On its white sandy beaches lie the remains of military artefacts from the Second World War, such as landing barges, locally called Bachas, hence the name of the beach. Behind the beach lies a pool in which flamingos, stilts and pintail ducks can be seen.
THE TORTOISE RESERVE
The reserve is made up of two zones: the Caseta and the Cerro Chato. In order to reach the reserve one must cross farmland areas, which is a perfect opportunity to see finches and other terrestrial birds. At the edge of the National Park there are two paths: one which takes you to the ‘Caseta’ and the other to ‘Cerro Chato’.
Here it is possible to watch tortoises in their natural habitat and vegetation typical of the humid zones.
LAS GRIETAS (THE GROTTOS)
These are interesting crevasses or lava fissures, in which fresh water from the highlands mixes with sea water, which makes for pleasant swimming. These are very close to Puerto Ayora, west of Academy Bay.
MEDIA LUNA, CERRO CROCKER, PUNTADO
The trail starts in Bellavista, and crosses the cultivated area, the National Park’s border and the Miconia and Pampa areas. This site offers splendid views of undulating hillocks and extinct volcanic cones, all covered in grass and other vegetation.
Once upon the summit you can enjoy a panoramic view of the whole island around you. Media Luna (Half Moon) is about 3km away from Puntudo and Cerro Crocker (Crocker Hill) which at about 864m above sea level is the highest point in the island.
PLAYA ESTACION CIENTIFICA CHARLES DARWIN (STATION BEACH)
This is a small beach used as an alternative by tourists and locals alike because of its proximity to town; about 200m from the National Park’s information kiosk. The vegetation here is that of the arid zones, and it is home to marine iguanas, finches, frigatebirds, yellow warblers and other coastal birds such as lava herons.
PLAYA DE LOS PERROS
This beach is located to the south-west of Puerto Ayora, near Punta Estrada. It can be reached by sea, in a dinghy, and then by following a short path surrounded by arid-zone vegetation.
This beach is different, part white sand, part lava, and is inhabited by a large number of sally-lightfoot crabs, marine iguanas and coastal birds. At low tide you can walk the shores of the beach up to the pool of the tintoreras, resting place of the white-tip reef shark.
CALETA TORTUGA NEGRA (BLACK TURTLE COVE)
Land visits and swimming are forbidden here, but it is a great hour-long dinghy ride, and ideal for kayaking.
This site is best known as the feeding and mating grounds of both green and black turtle, and is surrounded by mangroves which form coves in which three types of shark take refuge: The black-tipped shark, the white-tipped reef shark and the Galapagos shark. Occasionally golden and eagle rays are spotted here, and at certain times of the year hundreds of boobies, egrets and lava herons gather here in search of food.