Visitor site · Santa Cruz Island
Charles Darwin Research Station, Santa Cruz: the Fausto Llerena tortoise center, young giant tortoises, Lonesome George and the science behind the islands.
About the site
The Charles Darwin Research Station, on the edge of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz, has been the center of science and conservation in the Galápagos since the 1960s. Run by the Charles Darwin Foundation, it works with the Galápagos National Park to study and protect the islands' wildlife, and its visit is a highlight for anyone who wants to understand how the islands are cared for.
A short walk along a paved path leads through dry forest of cacti and Palo Santo to the Fausto Llerena tortoise center, run by the national park, where giant tortoises are bred and raised before being returned to their islands; since 1965 the breeding program has returned more than 9,000 tortoises to the wild. You see the incubators, the nursery pens of the young tortoises and adult tortoises of several species. The center is also home to the exhibit of Lonesome George, the last tortoise of Pinta Island, who died in 2012 and is now preserved in a climate-controlled room.
Along the trail, Darwin's finches, mockingbirds and lava lizards are common. After the visit, many cruises allow free time in Puerto Ayora, with its shops, cafes and the fish market, where sea lions and pelicans wait for scraps.
The visit is easy, on flat paths, and suits every traveler.
Live dates & prices
24 yachts include Charles Darwin Research Station in their routes, with 1,561 upcoming departures from US$1,298 per person. These are the next ones.
| Departure | Yacht | Route | Price per person | Mindo gift | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | |||||
| 9 – 12 Nov4 days / 3 nights |
 HermesLuxury catamaran · 20 guests
|
C · Española & FloreanaSan Cristóbal → Baltra | US$7,095 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure1 place left |
| 11 – 18 Nov8 days / 7 nights |
 Grand Queen BeatrizFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests
|
D · Isabela, Floreana, Santiago & North SeymourBaltra | US$7,675 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure1 place left |
| 14 – 21 Nov8 days / 7 nights |
 EvolutionLuxury cruise ship · 32 guests
|
Española, Fernandina, Isabela & BartoloméBaltra → San Cristóbal | US$10,950 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure1 place left |
| 15 – 22 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 |
| 17 – 21 Nov5 days / 4 nights |
 Galaxy SiriusLuxury catamaran · 16 guests
|
A · Española, Floreana & South PlazaSan Cristóbal → Baltra | US$5,415 |
★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure1 place left |
| 18 – 25 Nov8 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 departureAvailable |
| 18 Nov – 2 Dec15 days / 14 nights |
 Cachalote ExplorerFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests
|
Genovesa, Española, Fernandina & IsabelaBaltra | US$9,450 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure2 places left |
| 19 – 23 Nov5 days / 4 nights |
 AlyaLuxury catamaran · 16 guests
|
A · Genovesa, Bartolomé & SantiagoBaltra | US$4,140 |
+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included | See departureAvailable |
| 19 – 26 Nov8 days / 7 nights |
 MonserratFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests
|
B+C · Española, Floreana, Santiago & North SeymourBaltra | US$4,841 |
+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included | See departure2 places left |
| 19 – 26 Nov8 days / 7 nights |
 MoniqueLuxury catamaran · 16 guests
|
A · Fernandina, Isabela, Santiago & North SeymourBaltra | US$6,632 |
★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departureAvailable |
| 21 – 28 Nov8 days / 7 nights |
EvolutionLuxury cruise ship · 32 guests
|
Genovesa, Floreana, Santiago & North SeymourSan Cristóbal → Baltra | US$10,950 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure2 places left |
| 22 – 25 Nov4 days / 3 nights |
Coral I & IIFirst Class motor yacht · 36 guests
|
C · North Seymour, South Plaza & Santa FeBaltra → San Cristóbal | US$2,104 | Complimentary nightsAll meals & transfers | See departureAvailable |
Luxury catamaran · 16 guests
Grand Ocean Spray
Luxury motor yacht · 14 guests
Passion
Santa Cruz Island
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