Santa Fe Island Cruises

Top things to do & see on Santa Fe Island

From hiking to snorkeling to wildlife encounters, Sante Fe Island has it all. When we make our wet landing in Barrington Bay, you have the opportunity to immediately see sea lions living in a colony along the white sand beaches. Lava lizards dash about the aromatic palo santo trees and distinctive prickly pear cactus. Make sure to have your camera ready!

The beautiful bay itself is nestled in the sheltering arms of one of the archipelago’s most striking islands. The turquoise lagoon is breathtaking and the snorkeling at Sante Fe Island is a true treat. There are two hiking trails at the bay, and you can choose to adventure up a cliff for an incredible view or through a forest of opuntia cacti.

In addition to sea lions and lava lizard sightings, Galapagos hawk encounters are very likely! The birds swoop and soar in the bright blue sky. Snorkeling at the beach at Barrington Bay opens the underwater world to every visitor and holds a host of sea life for aquatic animal lovers.

Top Tips for visiting Santa Fe Island

• As with most of our small ship cruises to Galapagos Islands, your Santa Fe Island cruise will be full of snorkeling, hiking, sandy beaches, and some exposure to the elements however pleasant they may be. It’s smart to bring sun protection, water, and proper footwear for hiking.
• Your friendly crew has most of the snorkeling equipment you need and first aid supplies, but packing a small, on-the-go kit is a great idea. You can bring your own snorkeling mask as well, if you have one.
• If you’re using your mobile phone as a camera, consider a watertight protection device to keep accidents at bay. A dry bag for transporting your electronics is another smart way to prevent water damage.
• Finally, bring along a daypack and a reusable water bottle for adventures off the boat.

Best time to cruise Santa Fe Island

Savvy travelers want to plan ahead and choose the best time to visit Santa Fe Island to see wildlife. There are also seasons for snorkeling and hiking. Although the weather in Santa Fe Island is pleasant all year long, there are some general rules and guidelines about the weather to help you get the most out of your small ship adventure cruise.

A trip to Santa Fe Island in December takes advantage of the warm season in Galapagos. During the warm seas, the sun shines brightly in a stunning azure sky and hiking is a pleasure. On the other hand, the dry season on Santa Fe Island in June through November is best for snorkeling because the water is crystal clear.

The Santa Fe wildlife is active year round. You’ll see lava lizards, Galapagos hawks, sea lions, swallow-tail gulls, great frigate birds, and both marine and land iguanas no matter what time you visit. That being said, Green Sea Turtles nest between January and March and the Blue Footed Boobies mate in May, in case you want to experience one of those events.

Where do Santa Fe Island cruises depart from?

Currently, our small ship cruises to the Galapagos Islands depart from Baltra, Puerto Ayora, or San Cristobal. Your cruise itinerary will confirm your departure point for the cruise you have booked.

Visitors will fly into Mainland Ecuador to Quito in the mountains or coastal Guayaquil, and continue on a domestic flight to the Galapagos Islands. Your guides will meet you at the island airport you arrive in and escort you to your yacht. After a meal and the necessary safety briefings, the boat will depart for its first destination.

Contact our reservations team to book your next adventure cruise to the Galapagos Islands.