Santa Fe (Barrington Bay)
The visit to Santa Fe begins in Barrington Bay, a turquoise anchorage on the northeast coast of the island and one of the most beautiful bays in the Galápagos. The panga…
More about Santa Fe (Barrington Bay)Galápagos islands · 1 visitor site
Santa Fe Island cruises
36 yachts and catamarans include Santa Fe in their routes, with departures from October 2026 to December 2028. Compare dates and fares, then ask us for your offer.
Book with Dana Tours and enjoy complimentary nights in Mindo Cloud Forest at our own Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge & Spa.
Yachts that visit36
Upcoming departures2,143
Cruise length4–15 days
Fares fromUS$1,422
About the island
Santa Fe Island
Santa Fe, the Barrington Island of old charts, lies between Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal and is one of the oldest islands of the Galápagos. It is known for a forest of giant prickly-pear cacti, the tallest in the archipelago, and for a species of land iguana found nowhere else.
Santa Fe covers 24 square kilometers (9.3 square miles), and volcanic rocks about four million years old have been found here. The island is uninhabited, and its Opuntia cacti grow into true trees that can reach about 12 meters (40 feet).
On our cruises Santa Fe is visited on central and southern routes, very often together with South Plaza, Santa Cruz and Española. The visit starts with a wet landing on the beach of Barrington Bay, a turquoise anchorage on the northeast coast, among one of the largest sea lion colonies in the islands. A trail then climbs into the cactus forest in search of the Santa Fe land iguana, paler than its relatives on other islands. The bay is also a favorite place to snorkel, with sea lions, sea turtles, rays and reef fish.
Santa Fe is a restoration story: the goats were removed in the 1970s, and since 2015 hundreds of young tortoises of the Española lineage have been released to take the place of the island's own tortoises, which disappeared long ago. The Santa Fe rice rat, a leaf-toed gecko and a local subspecies of marine iguana complete its list of endemic animals.
Santa Fe suits most travelers: the trails are short, although the landing on the sand is wet and the path is rocky in places.
Fast facts
- The Santa Fe land iguana lives nowhere else in the world.
- Its giant prickly-pear cacti can reach about 12 meters (40 feet), the tallest in the Galápagos.
- Since 2015 hundreds of young tortoises have been released to restore the island's lost tortoise population.
Visitor sites
Visitor sites on Santa Fe Island
Each site is visited with a certified naturalist guide of the Galápagos National Park.
Live dates & prices
Next cruises visiting Santa Fe
The next 12 of 2,143 departures that include Santa Fe. Fares are per person, based on two guests sharing a cabin.
| Departure | Yacht | Route | Price per person | Mindo gift | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | |||||
| 16 – 23 Oct8 days / 7 nights |
 Aqua Mare SuperyachtLuxury motor yacht · 16 guests
|
EAST · Genovesa, Española, Bartolomé & SantiagoBaltra | US$11,550 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure |
| 17 – 22 Oct6 days / 5 nights |
 AlyaLuxury catamaran · 16 guests
|
C · Española, Floreana & North SeymourBaltra | US$5,130 |
★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure2 places left |
| 18 – 22 Oct5 days / 4 nights |
 MoniqueLuxury catamaran · 16 guests
|
D · Genovesa, Bartolomé & SantiagoSan Cristóbal → Baltra | US$4,152 |
+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included | See departure4 places left |
| 19 – 22 Oct4 days / 3 nights |
 LegendLuxury cruise ship · 100 guests
|
A · Genovesa, South Plaza & Santa FeBaltra | US$2,104 | Complimentary nightsAll meals & transfers | See departure |
| 19 – 26 Oct8 days / 7 nights |
LegendLuxury cruise ship · 100 guests
|
A+B · Genovesa, Fernandina, Isabela & SantiagoBaltra | US$5,576 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure |
| 20 – 25 Oct6 days / 5 nights |
 Galapagos Sea StarLuxury motor yacht · 16 guests
|
6A · Española, Floreana & North SeymourSan Cristóbal → Baltra | US$3,222 |
Complimentary nightsAll meals & transfers | See departure1 place left |
| 20 – 24 Oct5 days / 4 nights |
 Galaxy SiriusLuxury catamaran · 16 guests
|
A · Española, Floreana & South PlazaSan Cristóbal → Baltra | US$4,845 |
+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included | See departure4 places left |
| 21 – 28 Oct8 days / 7 nights |
 Coral I & IIFirst Class motor yacht · 36 guests
|
B+C · Fernandina, Isabela, Santiago & North SeymourBaltra → San Cristóbal | US$4,908 | + Mindo PlusActivity tickets included | See departure |
| 21 – 25 Oct5 days / 4 nights |
 Grand Queen BeatrizFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests
|
A · Española, South Plaza & Santa FeBaltra → San Cristóbal | US$2,842 | Complimentary nightsAll meals & transfers | See departure3 places left |
| 21 – 29 Oct9 days / 8 nights |
 TributeLuxury motor yacht · 16 guests
|
AB · Genovesa, Española, Floreana & SantiagoBaltra | US$11,150 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure4 places left |
| 23 – 27 Oct5 days / 4 nights |
 AnahiFirst Class catamaran · 16 guests
|
A2 · Genovesa, South Plaza & Santa FeBaltra → San Cristóbal | US$2,058 |
Complimentary nightsAll meals & transfers | See departure3 places left |
| 23 – 30 Oct8 days / 7 nights |
AnahiFirst Class catamaran · 16 guests
|
B2 · Genovesa, Española, Floreana & South PlazaBaltra | US$3,282 |
Complimentary nightsAll meals & transfers | See departure3 places left |
Yachts & catamarans
Yachts that visit Santa Fe
Luxury catamaran · 20 guests
Hermes
Luxury cruise ship · 100 guests
Legend
Mid-range catamaran · 16 guests
Archipel I
First Class motor yacht · 36 guests
Coral I & II
Luxury motor yacht · 16 guests
Tribute
First Class motor yacht · 16 guests
Monserrat
First Class motor yacht · 16 guests
Solaris
First Class catamaran · 16 guests
Treasure of Galapagos
Luxury motor yacht · 16 guests
Aqua Mare Superyacht
First Class motor yacht · 16 guests
Cachalote Explorer
First Class motor yacht · 16 guests
Grand Queen Beatriz
Luxury motor yacht · 12 guests
Galaxy Stella
Good to know
Questions about visiting Santa Fe
Which cruises visit Santa Fe?
36 yachts and catamarans include Santa Fe in their routes, with 2,143 upcoming departures between October 2026 and December 2028. Fares start at US$1,422 per person, based on two guests sharing a cabin.
How many days do I need to visit Santa Fe?
Cruises that include Santa Fe last from 4 to 15 days. Longer routes combine it with more islands.
Which visitor sites can I see on Santa Fe?
Santa Fe (Barrington Bay) (wet landing). Every visit is led by a certified naturalist guide of the Galápagos National Park.
What wildlife can I see on Santa Fe?
Belted Kingfisher, Blue-Footed Booby, Brown Pelican, Darwin’s Finches, Galapagos Dove, Galapagos Green Turtle, Galapagos Hawk, Galapagos Land Iguana, Galapagos Lava Heron, Galapagos Lava Lizard, Galapagos Petrel, Galapagos Rice Rat.
Do I get complimentary nights in Mindo Cloud Forest?
Yes. Every cruise booked with Dana Tours comes with complimentary nights at our own Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge & Spa in Mindo Cloud Forest (usually 2–3, more on request), with all meals and private transfers from Quito. Departures with a fare of US$3,500 or more per person include Mindo Plus, with tickets for Mindo’s top experiences, and those of US$5,000 or more are marked ★ and include our Mindo All-Inclusive program, with your own private guide throughout.
Your Mindo Cloud Forest stay
Your cruise comes with complimentary nights in Mindo Cloud Forest.
Complimentary nightsUsually 2–3, more on request, at our own Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge & Spa
All meals includedBreakfast, lunch and dinner during your stay in Mindo Cloud Forest
Private transfersBetween Quito and Mindo, before or after Galápagos
★ Mindo All-InclusiveWith your own private guide throughout. Our signature gift on departures marked ★.
Your written offer lists exactly what’s included for your departure — before you book. How it works · Cruises with Mindo All-Inclusive
We understand the lay of the land (and ocean)
Book with a local, “we’re on the ground here for you!”
Not sure which cruise? Talk to David and the Dana Tours team. We’ll help you compare routes, cabins and your stay in Mindo Cloud Forest.