A Romantic Galapagos Cruise Past Santiago
There is no honeymoon resort on Santiago Island, and no spa, restaurant or beach club either. This part of the Galapagos in Ecuador has no residents at all. Couples come for shared wildlife and wild scenery, and the usual way to arrange it is a cruise on a small ship that visits Santiago with a naturalist guide.
The couple’s version of Santiago
- A lava walk for two. Sullivan Bay is a young flow from the late 19th century, with ropey patterns and tree molds. It is a quiet place for a slow walk with a camera. Bring closed shoes and a hat, since there is no shade.
- Seals at close range. At Puerto Egas, Galapagos fur seals and young sea lions rest on a lava shelf. Keep 2 m away and let the animals come to you.
- Snorkeling together. Several Santiago sites are snorkel stops. The water is cool from June to November, so rent wetsuits.
- A turtle beach. Espumilla has reddish-gold sand, and green turtles nest on it. A lagoon sits behind the beach.
- Cliffs from the water. Buccaneer Cove, with eroded cliffs and sea stacks, is best seen from a panga.
- A cone in the sea. Sombrero Chino, an islet off Santiago’s south-east tip, has lava tubes and sea lions.
Choosing the cruise
Cruises are sold per cabin and priced by class, so ask for a written quote and check the cabin type. Look at the itinerary for Santiago landings. One place to start is the vessel list at gogalapagos.com, which includes Galapagos Legend and the Coral ships. Staying on a ship means your accommodation travels with you, which is the practical answer to there being no hotel on the island.
Packing for two
Pack sun hats, sunscreen, sturdy closed shoes for the lava and swimwear. Wet landings are common at the beaches, so bring sandals or shoes that can get wet. Strong equatorial sun reaches the lava with no shade, and it feels very hot in full sun, so carry water on every walk.
Costs for two
| Item | Per person |
|---|---|
| Park fee, foreign visitor 12 and over | $200 |
| Transit Control Card | $20 |
Rangers collect the park fee at the airport, so keep US dollar cash handy as a backup. See the official fee page .
Etiquette on the trail
Drones are not allowed, flash is not allowed near animals, and a park guide must be with you. Big male sea lions can be aggressive, so stay clear.
Find cruises on Viator and check the park rules .
Read more: multi-day trips , couple activities and sightseeing .