Santa Cruz Island is a central island in the Galapagos archipelago and, at 381 square miles, it is the second largest after Isabela Island. Its name means Holy Cross in Spanish. It is a very developed island with easy access to the Baltra airport, so almost all travelers visit it on their tour or cruise of the Galapagos islands.

The island's capital is Puerto Ayora, the most populated town in the islands. It is the urban center of Galapagos, with many coffee shops, restaurants, bars and souvenir shops.

Tortuga Bay is a white sand beach whose name comes from the black sea turtles that lay their eggs here, and it is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the archipelago. Located southwest of the town of Puerto Ayora, there's a 1.55 mile trail you can follow to get to the beach. It is an excellent site for swimming, surfing and even birdwatching.

On the northeastern side of Santa Cruz Island, you can find Carrion Point or Punta Carrión, a naturally sheltered cove with clear and turquoise waters, perfect for snorkeling. You can see sea lions here, iguanas and, below the water, white-tip reef sharks and different species of rays.

On the island's northwest side you can hike on Cerro Dragón or Dragon Hill, that gets its name from the large population of iguanas that can be seen almost at every step, lazing in the sun. There's a trail that leads to the top of the hill and you'll have the chance to walk through different vegetation areas, including arid zones with various species of cacti and groves of trees. This is a great place for birdwatching as well, and at a saltwater lagoon nearby you can even see flamingos.

The lava tunnels on the island are an amazing visitor site, near Santa Rosa town. You can walk through empty tubes of lava, formed by the solidification of molten lava on the outside, while inside it kept flowing, leaving the series of empty tunnels. They spread approximately 1km, and they are an amazing insight into the geological history of the island. You can also spot barn owls here.

Visiting the Charles Darwin Station or Fausto Llerena Breeding Center is a must on your tour here. The station, founded in 1959, is the base for scientific research in the islands. You can learn here about the species of wildlife in Galapagos, about the breeding projects and the conservation work led for preserving the islands' natural habitats. You can also see tortoises here in different growth stages and, on display, the famous Lonesome George, the last Pinta Island giant tortoise, who died here in 2012 and whose remains where preserved.

El Chato Tortoise Reserve is a great place for admiring giant tortoises roaming free in the wild. Home to hundreds of specimens, the reserve features 12 hectares that provide a natural habitat for this amazing species. There are also some impressive lava tunnels here as well you can visit on your trip here.

Gordon's Rock is a marine site suitable for experienced divers, famous for the sightings of hammerhead sharks. Also called ""The Washing Machine"", it is located in a volcanic crater and it has strong currents. You can also encounter here turtles, white-tip sharks, Galapagos sharks, moray eels, manta rays and sting rays.