4 Best South Plaza Island Tour Ideas for 2025-2026

Western Islands

San Cristobal Airport to Baltra
8 Days from $3,249

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.

Island Circumnavigation

15-Day Galapagos Cruise
15 Days from $6,091

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.

Top 10 South Plaza Island Luxury Tour Ideas for 2025-2026

Trip Name	From	Days	Next Departure	Summary
Central East Islands	$8195	5	Apr 10, 2025	Set sail on a 5-day cruise from Baltra to San Cristobal aboard Hermes Ultra Luxury Cruise in the Central East Galapagos Islands. Explore Santa Cruz's … 0
Private Charter - Beyond Darwin's Footsteps Aboard Grace	$172200	8	Nov 26, 2024	Close encounters with nature highlight this 8-day private Galapagos cruise onboard the Grace. The islands are teeming with animals that are eager to … 0
Beyond Darwin's Footsteps	$9950	8	Nov 23, 2024	This 8-day adventure aboard Grace offers close encounters with wildlife. The islands are full of creatures that love to interact with visitors. … 0
Central East & Southern Islands	$12995	8	Apr 10, 2025	Explore Central East & Southern Islands on this 8-day cruise aboard Hermes Ultra Luxury Cruise. Visit Baltra and meet giant tortoises. Enjoy … 0
Private Charter - Western & Eastern Islands Aboard Hermes Ultra Luxury Cruise	$275405	9	Apr 6, 2025	Embark on a private 9-day Western & Eastern Galapagos Islands trip aboard the Hermes Ultra Luxury Cruise. Discover Bachas Beach, Tagus Cove, Urbina … 0
Private Charter - Central East & Southern Islands Aboard Hermes Ultra Luxury Cruise	$246905	8	Apr 10, 2025	Explore Central East & Southern Islands on this 8-day private cruise aboard Hermes Ultra Luxury Cruise. Visit Baltra and meet giant tortoises. Enjoy … 0
Private Charter - Central East Islands Aboard Hermes Ultra Luxury Cruise	$155705	5	Apr 10, 2025	Set sail on a 5-day private cruise from Baltra to San Cristobal aboard Hermes Ultra Luxury Cruise in the Central East Galapagos Islands. Explore … 0
Private Charter - Western Islands Aboard Ocean Spray	$93290	6	Feb 22, 2025	Experience Galapagos penguins, Elizabeth Bay, and more on a cruise through the Western Islands aboard Ocean Spray. Enjoy hiking, snorkeling and … 0
Private Charter - Islands Circumnavigation - West Aboard Ocean Spray	$123790	8	Dec 14, 2024	Circumnavigate the Western Islands of the Galapagos on this 8-day private charter cruise aboard the Ocean Spray. Explore striking volcanic landscapes … 0
Western & Eastern Islands	$14495	9	Apr 6, 2025	Explore the Western & Eastern Galapagos Islands on this 9-day cruise aboard the Hermes Ultra Luxury Cruise. Discover Bachas Beach, Tagus Cove, Urbina … 0

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.