Santa Cruz Island

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This island is centered in the middle of the archipelago and also where most of the Islands have chosen to inhabit mainly around Puerto Ayora, the economic capital of the islands, while the total inhabitants on all adjacent islands is currently standing at 17,000 with 50% living on Santa Cruz. It is also the major island that travelers will visit and begin their tours from also in Puerto Ayora. While on the island it is well worth a visit to the Charles Darwin Research Station nestled in Academy Bay which also has shopping facilities.

While on the island and further inland the visitors can also take advantage of guided tours showing farming settlements in Santa Rosa and Bellavista as well as viewing the different vegetation forms in comparison to the coastal exteriors. See also excursions from Santa Cruz.

The Darwin Research station where you may witness various collections of giant tortoise subspecies are reared including the young for further breeding programs.

The station is also a good introduction to the visitor in providing all types of information on the life and history of the islands with very helpful staff. It is open From Monday to Friday, from 06:00 to 18:00.