Santa Fe Island

Need Help Planning Your Trip to Galapagos?Contact Us

Santa Fe Island is one of the oldest islands in the Galapagos, its initial formation beginning about four million years ago. With an area of 9.3 square miles, it’s also one of the smaller islands in the archipelago.

The island is relatively flat and is characterized by its vegetation, which includes palo santo trees and a forest of the giant prickly pear cactus Opuntia echios. Santa Fe is home to the endemic Santa Fe land iguana, with an estimated population of around 6,500 to 7,000 individuals. Other notable inhabitants include Santa Fe rice rats, leaf-toed geckos and marine iguanas.

Main Visitor Sites on Santa Fe Island

Barrington Bay and Trails – Santa Fe Island has only one land-based visitor site. Tours of the island begin at Barrington Bay, a wet landing site on the northeast side of the island. Here visitors can see a large number of sea lions lounging on the sand and sometimes surfing in the waves. Two trails lead up from the beach. The first is a loop through the giant Opuntia cacti, where you’ll have a good chance of spotting Santa Fe land iguanas and Galapagos hawks. The second trail runs up to the top of a steep cliff. From the top you’ll have great views across the island’s interior.

Snorkeling Sites – Santa Fe is home to three dive sites: El Fondeador, La Encañada and Costa Este. Galapagos Sea lions are the main draw at all three sites, although sea turtles, rays and Galapagos sharks are also spotted occasionally.

Read more about this island at Galapagos Conservancy.

Galapagos Cruises that Visit Santa Fe Island

Other Main Galapagos Islands and Visitor Sites

Baltra Island / Bartolomé Island / Chinese Hat Islet / Eden Islet / Española Island / Fernandina Island / Floreana Island / Genovesa Island / Isabela Island / Mosquera Islet / North Seymour Island / Rábida Island / San Cristóbal Island / Santa Cruz Island / Santiago Island / South Plaza Island

Galapagos Travel Guide

Galapagos Tours & Cruises / Galapagos & Machu Picchu Tours / Galapagos Land-Based Tours / Galapagos FAQ / Galapagos Weather / Galapagos Accommodations / Top Galapagos Activities by Land or by Sea / Galapagos Wildlife Calendar / Galapagos Packing List / Galapagos Blog Posts / Galapagos Cruise Deals / Galapagos Islands Map

Galapagos Wildlife: 15 Iconic Species

American Flamingo / Blue-Footed Booby / Flightless Cormorant / Frigatebirds: Great and Magnificent / Galapagos Fur Seal / Galapagos Giant Tortoise / Galapagos Hawk / Galapagos Penguin / Galapagos Sea Lion / Land Iguana / Marine Iguana / Nazca Booby / Red-Footed Booby / Santa Fe Land Iguana / Waved Albatross

Galapagos Cruise Ships

Galapagos Legend / Santa Cruz II / La Pinta / Isabela II / Coral I & II / Galapagos Sea Star Journey / Infinity / Natural Paradise / Horizon / Petrel / Treasure of Galapagos / Galapagos Seaman Journey / EcoGalaxy

Other Galapagos Tours

Ecuador Amazon Tours / Ecuador & Chile Tours / Ecuador & Peru Tours / Galapagos Adventure Tours / Galapagos & Amazon Tours / Galapagos Luxury Tours / Galapagos, Machu Picchu, & Easter Island Tours / Galapagos Wildlife Tours / Machu Picchu & Galapagos Tours / Peru & Ecuador Tours / Quito to Galapagos Tours

Galapagos Cruises by Duration

4-Day Galapagos Cruises / 5-Day Galapagos Cruises / 6-Day Galapagos Cruises / 7-Day Galapagos Cruises / 8-Day Galapagos Cruises

Ecuador Travel Guide

Ecuador Tours & Travel / Ecuador FAQ / Ecuador Weather / Ecuador Accommodations / Ecuador Blog Posts

Top Ecuador Travel Destinations

Baños / Cuenca / Guayaquil / Otavalo / Quito / The Ecuadorian Amazon / The Galapagos Islands

Have Questions? Call 1-888-268-9753 to Speak to An Expert.