The island of Santa Cruz is home to Puerto Ayora, the largest and most developed town in the Galapagos. Although many travellers use it as a springboard to explore the more remote surrounding islands, those who venture deeper will find that Santa Cruz has much to offer in its own right. With numerous visitor sites, easily accessible beaches, and remote highlands at its heart, the island serves as an excellent base for adventure. Its most renowned attraction, the Charles Darwin Station, features an impressive turtle breeding programme and fascinating displays on the conservation of the Galapagos’ unique biosphere. Visitors can also swim or snorkel at the island’s magnificent beaches, where white sand and turquoise waters are alive with pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and marine iguanas.