SANTIAGO ISLAND
Slightly north of the centre of the Galapagos archipelago, Santiago has several visitor sites. Three of the sites are close together on the northwest coast of the island.
The island unfortunately has populations of introduced rats and goats which have damaged the environment, in particular for the giant tortoises.
Also known as South James Bay this place was, in the 1920s and 1960s, the site of failed attempts at salt mining. The visitor trail along the coast uses part of an old road remaining from these enterprises.
One of the main features are the tidal pools which are populated by fur seals and Sally Lightfoot crabs. Birds include the Galapagos dove and Galapagos hawk, oyster catchers and night herons.
As well as the tidal pools the beach has eroded low cliffs which have formed into interesting shapes.
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This is long golden beach behind which are mangroves and saltwater lagoons. Turtles nest on the beach but the feral pigs eat many of the eggs and so breeding levels are low.
A tourist trail leads from the beach and through the lagoons to an area where it is possible to see both vermillion and broad-billed flycatchers, and many of the species of Darwin finches.
The beach is home to a large number of sea lions. Originally the beach was a place where ships were hauled ashore for careening (cleaning) in the 17th and 18th centuries.
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