South Plaza
South Plaza, a small island off the east coast of Santa Cruz, is one of the most colorful visits in the Galápagos. The panga leaves you at a small dock for a dry…
More about South PlazaGalápagos islands · 1 visitor site
37 yachts and catamarans include South Plaza in their routes, with departures from November 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.
About the island
South Plaza is one of two small islands, the Plazas, just off the east coast of Santa Cruz, and one of the most colorful places in the Galápagos: a carpet of Sesuvium succulents that turns from green to red and orange in the dry season, giant prickly-pear cacti, yellow land iguanas and a sea lion colony along the shore.
The island was formed by an uplift of the sea floor, which tilted it: a gentle slope on one side and cliffs on the other, where the trade winds lift the seabirds. It is uninhabited and small enough to be explored on a short loop trail.
On our cruises South Plaza is visited on central routes, usually together with Santa Fe and Santa Cruz, on itineraries of four to eight days. A dry landing at a small dock leads to the trail, which climbs through the cactus forest to the cliffs and returns along the coast.
The land iguanas wait under the Opuntia cacti for pads and fruits to fall, and South Plaza is the only place where land and marine iguanas have produced hybrids, dark animals with features of both species. The colony of Galápagos sea lions includes a group of bachelor males that rest on the rocks of the cliff side, away from the beach. From the cliffs, swallow-tailed gulls, red-billed tropicbirds, Nazca and blue-footed boobies and shearwaters ride the wind below the path.
South Plaza suits every traveler: the trail is short and mostly easy, though the landing and some rocks can be slippery, and the cliffs have no railing, so it is wise to stay on the path. The colors of the Sesuvium are at their most intense in the dry season, from about June to December.
Visitor sites
Each site is visited with a certified naturalist guide of the Galápagos National Park.
South Plaza, a small island off the east coast of Santa Cruz, is one of the most colorful visits in the Galápagos. The panga leaves you at a small dock for a dry…
More about South PlazaLive dates & prices
The next 12 of 2,159 departures that include South Plaza. Fares are per person, based on two guests sharing a cabin.
| Departure | Yacht | Route | Price per person | Mindo gift | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | |||||
| 1 – 8 Nov8 days / 7 nights |
 Origin, Theory & EvolveLuxury motor yacht · 20 guests
|
A · Española, Floreana, Bartolomé & North SeymourSan Cristóbal | US$10,950 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure4 places left |
| 1 – 8 Nov8 days / 7 nights |
 Grand Queen BeatrizFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests
|
A · Española, Isabela, Floreana & South PlazaBaltra → San Cristóbal | US$7,675 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure1 place left |
| 1 – 5 Nov5 days / 4 nights |
 MoniqueLuxury catamaran · 16 guests
|
D · Genovesa, Bartolomé & SantiagoSan Cristóbal → Baltra | US$4,152 |
+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included | See departure2 places left |
| 2 – 5 Nov4 days / 3 nights |
 Archipel IMid-range catamaran · 16 guests
|
A4 · Santiago, North Seymour & South PlazaSan Cristóbal → Baltra | US$2,165 |
Complimentary nightsAll meals & transfers | See departure4 places left |
| 2 – 5 Nov4 days / 3 nights |
 LegendLuxury cruise ship · 100 guests
|
A · Genovesa, South Plaza & Santa FeBaltra | US$2,104 | Complimentary nightsAll meals & transfers | See departureAvailable |
| 2 – 9 Nov8 days / 7 nights |
LegendLuxury cruise ship · 100 guests
|
A+B · Genovesa, Fernandina, Isabela & SantiagoBaltra | US$6,063 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departureAvailable |
| 3 – 7 Nov5 days / 4 nights |
 EcoGalaxyFirst Class catamaran · 16 guests
|
A · Española, Floreana & South PlazaSan Cristóbal → Baltra | US$3,485 |
Complimentary nightsAll meals & transfers | See departure2 places left |
| 4 – 8 Nov5 days / 4 nights |
Grand Queen BeatrizFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests
|
A · Española, South Plaza & Santa FeBaltra → San Cristóbal | US$3,750 | + Mindo PlusActivity tickets included | See departure2 places left |
| 4 – 11 Nov8 days / 7 nights |
Grand Queen BeatrizFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests
|
C · Española, Bartolomé, Santiago & South PlazaBaltra | US$4,973 | + Mindo PlusActivity tickets included | See departure1 place left |
| 4 – 8 Nov5 days / 4 nights |
 TributeLuxury motor yacht · 16 guests
|
A · Española, Floreana & South PlazaBaltra → San Cristóbal | US$6,195 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departureAvailable |
| 4 – 8 Nov5 days / 4 nights |
 Galaxy StellaLuxury motor yacht · 12 guests
|
C · Genovesa, North Seymour & South PlazaBaltra → San Cristóbal | US$4,320 |
+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included | See departure4 places left |
| 5 – 9 Nov5 days / 4 nights |
 HermesLuxury catamaran · 20 guests
|
B · Bartolomé, South Plaza & Santa FeBaltra → San Cristóbal | US$9,250 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departureAvailable |
Yachts & catamarans
Good to know
37 yachts and catamarans include South Plaza in their routes, with 2,159 upcoming departures between November 2026 and December 2028. Fares start at US$1,422 per person, based on two guests sharing a cabin.
Cruises that include South Plaza last from 4 to 15 days. Longer routes combine it with more islands.
South Plaza (dry landing). Every visit is led by a certified naturalist guide of the Galápagos National Park.
Blue-Footed Booby, Brown Pelican, Darwin’s Finches, Galapagos Dove, Galapagos Frigatebirds, Galapagos Green Turtle, Galapagos Land Iguana, Galapagos Lava Heron, Galapagos Lava Lizard, Galapagos Marine Iguana, Galapagos Petrel, Galapagos Sea Lion.
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.
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