Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Island is one of the Galapagos Islands with an area of 986 km² and a maximum altitude of 864 meters.

Named after the Holy Cross, its English name (Indefatigable) was given after a British vessel (HMS Indefatigable). Santa Cruz hosts the largest human population in the archipelago at the town of Puerto Ayora. The Charles Darwin Research Station and the headquarters of the Galapagos National Park Service are located here. The GNPS and CDRS jointly operate a tortoise breeding center where these chelonians are prepared to be reintroduced to their natural habitat. The Highlands of Santa Cruz offer an exuberant vegetation and are famous for the lava tunnels. Large tortoise populations are found here. Black Turtle Cove is site surrounded by mangrove which sea turtles, rays and small sharks sometimes use as a mating area. Cerro Dragon, known for its flamingo lagoon, is also located here, and along the trail one may see land iguanas foraging.

JOURNEYS trips that include Santa Cruz:

Galapagos Wildlife Odyssey aboard the Alta

Galapagos Wildlife Odyssey aboard the Coral I & II

Galapagos Wildlife Odyssey aboard the Eclipse

Galapagos Wildlife Odyssey aboard the Eric, Flamingo & Letty

Galapagos Wildlife Odyssey aboard the Evolution

Galapagos Wildlife Odyssey aboard the Lammer Law

Galapagos Wildlife Odyssey aboard the M/Y Grace

Galapagos Wildlife Odyssey for FAMILIES aboard the Eric, Flamingo & Letty

Information based on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isla_Santa_Cruz