OVERVIEW :
Wildest marine life
The oldest island of all (4.5 million years) is located in the middle of Santa Cruz and San Cristobal islands. The extension of a 24 sq km (14.9 sq mi) edge the Santa Fe Island -or “Barrington Island” in English- where is found at 259 m (850 ft) its highest point. The island situated on the south east of the archipelago holds a beautiful
turquoise lagoon on its bay, an often visited historic anchoring point. Santa Fe´s amazing, sheltered bay is a prime site for snorkeling with sea lions, surgeonfish, damsels, parrotfish, stingrays, and white tip reef sharks. The tallest stands of opuntia cactus beautify the most endemic landscape where colony of marine iguanas sprawling can be
found as well as rice rats and the Santa Fe lizards. It is also home to a number of endemic species including land iguanas and of course birds (Galápagos hawk, Darwin´s finches, frigate birds, blue footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls), and other species.
The snorkeling adventure starts at 8:00 am on Puerto Ayora Pier where our guests will be ride one-hour ride by a comfortable speed boat to the Santa Fe Island. The first spot will be at north of the Island where travelers will admire stunning blue-footed boobies sit among the ledges and lava rocks. Then our guests will by ride to the east of the island in order to enjoy the snorkeling time next to the colony of colorful fishes and sea lions. The ledge of lava rocks surrounded by crystalline turquoise water permit to the snorkelers appreciate wildest marine life of the archipelago. It is home of rays, tunas, school of tropical and colorful fish and reef sharks. Another spot is going to on Playa Escondida –“Hidden Beach in English”– on Santa Crus Island, while adventurers are ride they will enjoy hot box lunch in the deeply boat cabin, travelers will have fishing time, and any fish caught are served as fresh sushini. The hidden beach offers amazing view to the marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies and sally lightfoot crabs. This place also is heaven of eagle rays, golden rays, marine turtles and white tipped sharks. The beach is perfect site in order to enjoy walking and rest over the beautiful white sand. At the end, the boat takes back to the principle pier.
It is recommended to wear a wetsuit in order to neutralize the sea temperature because it falls under 20ºC from September to December and it is up of 27ºC from January to August.