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Bright red sesuvium makes for a surreal landscape

South Plaza Island - Galapagos Travel Guide

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Just next to Santa Cruz islands, the Plaza Islands are distinct for their native populations of flora and fauna, but only South Plaza Island has a landing site. As you cross the jet black lava rock, you will witness one of the largest populations of land iguanas in the Galapagos Islands and perhaps one of the most unique, where male marine iguanas have bred with female land iguanas to create the only hybrid land/marine iguanas in the archipelago. The remaining land iguanas, though smaller in size than other island populations, feature vibrant yellows and reds and enjoy the local delicacies of Opuntia cacti and the indigenous Sesuvium that highlights the landscape. Visitors will also sea several big groups of sea lions, including one significant bachelor colony.

4 Best South Plaza Island Tour Ideas for 2025-2026

Sea lion coming in from a swim

Western Islands

8 Days from $2,249
This cruise to the Western Islands of the Galapagos allows you to witness exciting and unique plants, animals, and landscapes. Swim, hike, and explore on this 8-day tour on the Aida Maria.
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A pair of friendly sea lions

Island Circumnavigation

15-Day Galapagos Cruise
15 Days from $4,248
Travel around the Galapagos on this 15-day cruise. Learn about the plants and wildlife, swim in the Pacific Ocean, shop in Puerto Ayora, and visit the Charles Darwin Station on your trip aboard the Aida Maria.
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marine iguana espanola

Eastern Islands

8 Days from $4,595
Swallow-tailed gulls, marine iguanas, and giant tortoises await you on this trip to the Eastern Galapagos Islands. Enjoy hiking, exploring tide pools, and searching for Galapagos penguins during your 8-day vacation aboard the Angelito.
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Colorful South Plaza Island

Southern Islands

4 Days from $2,065
Explore the Southern Galapagos Islands on this 4-day cruise. Look for the Galapagos albatross, land iguanas, and sea lions. You also may see spotted eagle rays, golden rays, white-tipped reef sharks, and young Galapagos sharks. Enjoy exploring the islands and learning from your guides during your tour aboard the small ship Angelito.
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Top 10 South Plaza Island Luxury Tour Ideas for 2025-2026

Trip Name From Days Next Departure Summary
Eastern Islands $5,870 5 May 15, 2025 Introduce yourself to the Galapagos by taking a 5-day cruise to the Eastern Islands. This quick tour aboard the La Pinta features sea lions, red-footed boobies, and giant tortoises.
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Private Charter - Eastern Islands Aboard La Pinta $287,358 5 May 15, 2025 Familiarize yourself with the Galapagos Eastern Islands on a private cruise aboard La Pinta. This 5-day voyage takes you to the islands of San Cristobal, Espanola, and Santa Cruz Island. Swim with playful sea lions, take coastal and inland hikes, and admire the famous giant tortoises and red-footed boobies.
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Private Charter - Beyond Darwin's Footsteps Aboard Grace $180,600 8 Jun 03, 2025 Close encounters with nature highlight this 8-day private Galapagos cruise onboard the Grace. The islands are teeming with animals that are eager to meet visitors. Explore Espanola, Floreana, Santa Cruz, and other nearby cities! Scuba diving, snorkeling, and kayaking are all popular pastimes in this area.
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Beyond Darwin's Footsteps $10,450 8 May 13, 2025 This 8-day adventure aboard Grace offers close encounters with wildlife. The islands are full of creatures that love to interact with visitors. Travel around Espanola, Floreana, Santa Cruz and more! Enjoy snorkeling, swimming and kayaking in the crystalline waters of this area.
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Western Islands $6,190 6 May 17, 2025 Experience Galapagos penguins, Elizabeth Bay and more on a cruise through the Western Islands. Enjoy hiking, snorkeling and dinghy rides on this 6-day Galapagos tour.
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Southern Islands $6,190 5 May 25, 2025 Sail through the Southern Galapagos Islands, exploring their biodiverse and magical landscapes. Starting in Baltra making your way through Española, San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, South Plaza and back to Balta.
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Private Charter - Southern Islands Aboard M/C Galapagos Endemic $92,390 5 May 25, 2025 Sail through the Southeastern Galapagos Islands on a 5-day private cruise. Embark the M/C Endemic in Baltra making your way through Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Española, Santa Fe, and South Plaza. Overflowing with wildlife, volcanic wonders, and breathtaking landscapes, this is the perfect vacation choice.
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Beaches and Bays $10,250 8 May 18, 2025 Spend 8 days cruising the Southern Islands of the Galapagos and visiting a variety of islands such as San Cristobal, Española, Floreana, and Santa Cruz. Explore the unique and endemic flora and fauna of each island and enjoy family adventure activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking.
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Islands Circumnavigation - West $8,290 8 May 31, 2025 Circumnavigate the Western Islands of the Galapagos aboard the Ocean Spray. Spend time viewing wildlife, birds and volcanoes on this 8-day adventure.
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Private Charter - Beaches and Bays $210,000 8 May 18, 2025 Spend 8 days cruising the Southern Islands of the Galapagos on your own private yacht, visiting a variety of islands such as San Cristobal, Española, Floreana, and Santa Cruz. Explore the unique and endemic flora and fauna of each island and enjoy family adventure activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking.
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South Plaza Island Facts and Highlights

South Plaza is one of the smallest islands on the Galapagos archipelago, located off the east coast of Santa Cruz Island. Here are more facts about it:
  • South Plaza is home to a variety of unique wildlife, including the famous Galapagos land iguana and the hybrid iguana, a result of cross-breeding between land and marine iguanas.
  • Visitors to South Plaza can also see a variety of bird species, including the swallow-tailed gull, red-billed tropicbird, Nazca booby, and blue-footed booby.
  • The island's rocky terrain and steep cliffs provide a unique opportunity for hiking and exploring, with stunning views of the surrounding ocean and nearby islands.
  • South Plaza's rugged terrain is covered withGalapagos Carpetweed or Sesuvium. During the rainy season the carpet is a vibrant green, while in the dry season its change to a bright red, orange and purple tones. This eye-catching landscape is a favorite amongst photography aficionados.   
  • There are two Plazas islands in Galapagos, North and South. Both are crescent shaped land masses and formed by volcanic uplift of the ocean floor rather than volcanic eruption.
  • Of the two Plazas, only South Plaza can be visited by tourists. North Plaza is reserved for scientific and conservation purposes.
  • South Plaza is also home to a variety of cactus species, including the iconic prickly pear cactus or Opuntia cactus, the main food source for the island's land iguana population.
  • The waters surrounding the island hold a variety of underwater life, such as sea lions, reef sharks, and a variety of fish species.
  • South Plaza was hystorically used as a base for pirates and whaling expeditions that sailed the Pacific Ocean.

South Plaza Islands Traveler Stories

Beautiful Emerald Valley

Santa Fe and South Plaza Islands
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Galapagos Tortoise, El Chato Reserve

Kevin's Galapagos Trip
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Other Galapagos Island Guides

More Galapagos Island Guides: Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela, Fernandina, Santiago, Chinese Hat, Rabida, Genovesa, Baltra, Bartolome, Santa Fe, Espanola, South Plazas, North Seymour, Mosquera, Daphne Islands, and Wolf & Darwin Islands. 
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I just returned from a 10 day trip to Ecuador and The Galapagos Island. From the very first conversation with Adventure Life until my return, everything went smoothly. It was a great trip! Adventure Life excels at communication and organization. Every detail was considered, which made the preparation for my trip really easy. In country, my guides were outstanding...friendly, knowledgeable, on time, professional. I really can't say enough good things about how well I was taken care of during my trip. When flying to a new country it's comforting to be met by a friendly face at the airport who knows where you're going! All of my hotels were well-located and thoughtfully selected for comfort and historic interest. The yacht I sailed on through the islands exceeded my expectations in every way. My cabin was very comfortable, the food we were served was excellent and the crew was first-class. Our Park Guide found the perfect balance between fun and education. His passion for the Galápagos Islands was evident in every activity on every island. I look forward to planning my next trip with Adventure Life, and thank their entire team for making this adventure wonderful!
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