Indefatigable Island Isla Santa Cruz

Isla Santa Cruz, also known as Indefatigable, is the second largest island in the archipelago and the main destination of most travelers. It has the largest population of all the islands with most residents living in the main town of Puerto Ayora on Academy Bay. The island is also home to the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galápagos National Park headquarters.

Santa Cruz supports all of the vegetation zones of the Galápagos Islands and is home to almost every species of bird found in the Galápagos. A trail leads across the island, allowing access to the highlands and the opportunity to see the distinct changes in vegetation. There are also lava tunnels and pit craters with unique plants.

Many varieties of animals can be seen on Isla Santa Cruz. Marine iguanas can frequently be seen in Academy Bay as can Darwin's finches, land iguanas and sea lions in Las Plazas, and giant tortoises can be seen at the Charles Darwin Research Station.