Home of the Santa Fé land iguana!
The 24 km2 small island in the center of the Galapagos island archipelago has a lot to offer. Two endemic animal species live here: the Santa Fé land iguana (Conolophus pallidus) and the Santa Fé rice rat (Oryzomys bauri). These animals are only found on Santa Fé in the world. The Santa Fé giant tortoise unfortunately became extinct in 1890. However, since 2015 there has been a project to reintroduce the genetically similar Espanola giant tortoise on Santa Fé. When going ashore, the mighty cactus trees of the island also inspire. These opuntia are hundreds of years old and can reach heights of up to 12 meters. They are also unique because this variety (Opuntia echios var. Barringtonensis) does not grow anywhere else in the world. As a bonus, the island also has a diverse underwater world and a large sea lion colony.
Santa Fe Island Cactus Trees Opuntia and Iguana Galapagos National Park Ecuador
Sea lion baby Barrington Bay Santa Fe Island Galapagos National Park Ecuador
Santa Fe Island Cactus Trees Opuntia and Iguana Galapagos National Park Ecuador
Santa Fe Iguana Galapagos National Park Ecuador UNESCO World Heritage Site
Oputia cactus flower Santa Fe Island Galapagos National Park Ecuador
Female Lava Lizard Keeltail Iguana Santa Fe Island Galapagos National Park Ecuador
The Santa Fé land iguana lives exclusively on the small island of Santa Fé.
Brown pelican visits tour boat Santa Fe Island Galapagos National Park Ecuador
Massive bodies on the sandy beach, lively bleating and young animals with big googly eyes. The large sea lion colony fascinates our small group and the cameras are running hot. For once, I myself have a different goal today. Huge cacti beckon from afar and that's exactly where I hope to meet him: the rare Santa Fé land iguana. Impatiently, I run a little ahead and cautiously stalk the next cactus. And indeed - a beautiful beige iguana lady is waiting for me next to her native cactus. Fascinated, I kneel down next to the scaly creature. Attentive brown eyes look into mine, not a trace of shyness.
Massive bodies on the sandy beach, lively bleating and young animals with big googly eyes. The large sea lion colony fascinates our small group and the cameras are running hot. For once, I myself have a different goal today. Huge cacti beckon from afar and that's exactly where I hope to meet him: the rare Santa Fé land iguana. Impatiently, I run a little ahead and cautiously stalk the next cactus. And indeed - a beautiful beige iguana lady is waiting for me next to her native cactus. Fascinated, I kneel down next to the scaly creature. Attentive brown eyes look into mine, not a trace of shyness.
Experience the Galapagos Island of Santa Fe
Like all Galapagos Islands, Santa Fé is of volcanic origin. Geologically, the island is one of the oldest in the archipelago. It towered above sea level for the first time 2,7 million years ago. Under the surface, it is 4 million years old.
Endemic species, crystal clear water and playful sea lions. A visit to the uninhabited island biotope is definitely worth it. Overall, Santa Fé is still quite unknown and is much less visited by tourists than many other islands.
Snorkeling in Galapagos: Santa Fe Island
School of fish while snorkeling Santa Fe Island Galapagos National Park Ecuador
Playful sea lion snorkeling Santa Fe Island Galapagos
Puffer fish while snorkeling Santa Fe Island Galapagos National Park Ecuador
Swimming with sea lions Santa Fe Island Galapagos
Stingrays while snorkeling Santa Fe Island Galapagos National Park Ecuador
Snorkeling with sharks Whitetip Reef Shark Santa Fe Island Galapagos National Park Ecuador
Swimming with sea lions - snorkeling in Galapagos, Santa Fe Island, Galapagos National Park, Ecuador
Eagle rays while snorkeling Santa Fe Island Galapagos National Park Ecuador
Black coral of Santa Fe with sea lion in the Galapagos National Park
Something jerks my fins and I need a moment to register what is pulling on me: A Galapagos sea lion is in a playful mood. I like to keep still and enjoy the spectacle. He shoots at me as fast as an arrow, turns at the last moment and swirls elegantly around me. Then he disappeared, only to appear next to me from the other direction in the next moment. We look at each other and I feel alive and breathless.
Something jerks my fins and I need a moment to register what is pulling on me: A Galapagos sea lion is in a playful mood. I like to keep still and enjoy the spectacle. He shoots at me as fast as an arrow, turns at the last moment and swirls elegantly around me. Then he disappeared, only to appear next to me from the other direction in the next moment. We look at each other and I feel alive and breathless.
Ecuador • Galapagos • Galapagos trip • Santa Fe Island
Experiences to Santa Fe Island in Galapagos
How can I get to Santa Fe?
How can I get to Santa Fe?Santa Fé is an uninhabited island that can only be visited in the company of an official nature guide from the national park. This is possible with a cruise as well as on guided excursions. The excursion boats start from the port of Puerto Ayora on the island of Santa Cruz. Since Santa Fé does not have a boat dock, people wade ashore in knee-deep water.
What can I do on Santa Fé?
What can I do on Santa Fé?On the one hand, pure snorkeling tours are offered. On the other hand, there are day trips that combine a shore leave with a snorkeling stop. The small beach where landing is allowed is called Barrington Bay. When going ashore, the mighty cactus trees and the observation of the Santa Fé land iguana are the highlights.
What animal sightings are likely?
When going ashore, the rare Santa Fé land iguanas can usually be observed very well. In addition, small lava lizards and Galapagos sea lions can often be seen. A sighting of the rice rat is unlikely as it is nocturnal. On a snorkeling tour there is a good chance of Swimming with sea lions. Furthermore, Santa Fé has a small population of black corals. Shark sightings are rare but possible.
How can I book a tour to Santa Fe?
Some cruises include Santa Fé. Usually you have to book a south-east route or a tour through the central islands of the archipelago. If you travel to the Galapagos individually, you can take a day trip to Santa Fé. The easiest way is to ask your accommodation in advance. Some hotels book excursions directly, others give you the contact details of a local agency. Of course there are also online providers. Bargain hunters use last-minute spots on site at an agency in the Puerto Ayora port of Santa Cruz. In the high season, however, there are often no remaining places available.
Sights & island profile
5 reasons for a trip to Santa Fé
Santa Fe land iguana
ancient cactus trees
playful sea lion colony
small coral population
Off the beaten path
Characteristics of the island of Santa Fe
 Namur | Spanish: Santa Fé English: Barrington Island |
 Size | 24 km2 |
 Age | 2,7 million years ago for the first time above sea level. Rocks below approx. 4 million years. |
 vegetation | Cactus trees (Opuntia echios var. Barringtonensis) |
 typical wildlife | Mammals: Galapagos sea lion, Santa Fé rice rat Reptiles: Santa Fé land iguana, lava lizard |
 Protection status | Uninhabited island Visit only with an official nature guide |
Ecuador • Galapagos • Galapagos trip • Santa Fe Island
Localization information
Where is the island of Santa Fe located?
Santa Fé is part of the Galapagos National Park. The Galapagos Archipelago is a two-hour flight from mainland Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. The island of Santa Fé is quite centrally located between Santa Cruz and San Cristobal. From the port of Puerto Ayora in Santa Cruz, Santa Fé can be reached in around an hour by boat.
For your travel planning
How is the weather in Galapagos?
Temperatures are between 20 and 30 ° C all year round. December to June is the hot season and July to November is the warm season. The rainy season lasts from January to May, the rest of the year is dry season. During the rainy season, the water temperature is highest at around 26 ° C. In the dry season it drops to 22 ° C.
Ecuador • Galapagos • Galapagos trip • Santa Fe Island
Bill White & Bree Burdick, edited by Hooft-Toomey Emilie & Douglas R. Toomey for a project of the Charles Darwin Research Station, topographical data compiled by William Chadwick, Oregon State University (undated), Geomorphology. Age of the Galapagos Islands. [online] Retrieved on July 04.07.2021th, XNUMX, from URL: https://pages.uoregon.edu/drt/Research/Volcanic%20Galapagos/presentation.view@_id=9889959127044&_page=1&_part=3&.html
Biology page (undated), Opuntia echios. [online] Retrieved on June 10.06.2021, XNUMX, from URL: https://www.biologie-seite.de/Biologie/Opuntia_echios
Galapagos Conservancy (oD), The Galapagos Islands. Santa Fe. [online] Retrieved on June 09.06.2021th, XNUMX, from URL:
https://www.galapagos.org/about_galapagos/about-galapagos/the-islands/santa-fe/