About the Port
Puerto Ayora, the largest town in the Galápagos Islands, sits on the southern shore of Santa Cruz Island and serves as the archipelago's main port and hub for exploring its extraordinary wildlife. The town is home to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where a tortoise breeding center allows close views of hatchlings and adults of the giant species that gave the islands their name. Darwin's finches, whose subtle variations helped inspire the theory of evolution, are frequently spotted in the surrounding scrubland and highlands.
Beyond the research station, the harbor front bustles with fishing boats, sea lions, and marine iguanas, offering an easy introduction to the islands' unusual biodiversity within walking distance of the pier. Puerto Ayora also serves as a practical base for reaching the volcanic highlands and nearby snorkeling sites, making it a natural starting point for deeper exploration of this uniquely protected corner of Ecuador.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Puerto Ayora.
Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station
Walk through breeding enclosures to see giant tortoises of all ages up close, plus finches and land iguanas in native habitat; an easy 15-minute walk from the pier.
Explore the Highlands Tortoise Reserves
Head into Santa Cruz's misty highlands to watch giant tortoises roam wild in muddy pastures and lava tunnels, best reached by a short taxi or organized tour.
Stroll the Malecón Waterfront
Amble along the harbor promenade among lounging sea lions, marine iguanas, and pelicans, then browse fish market stalls right where the day's catch comes in.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Click a cruise line to see its Puerto Ayora sailings and Pavlus pricing.
Cruises That Visit Puerto Ayora
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 9, 2026 | HX | MS Santa Cruz II | 8 | $6,843 | |
| Sep 13, 2026 | Celebrity | Celebrity Flora | 7 | $9,053 | |
| Sep 24, 2026 | HX | MS Santa Cruz II | 11 | $10,520 | |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Silversea | Silver Origin | 7 | $11,340 | |
| Oct 9, 2026 | Celebrity | Celebrity Flora | 11 | $15,647 | |
| Oct 9, 2026 | Celebrity | Celebrity Flora | 10 | $15,496 | |
| Oct 11, 2026 | Celebrity | Celebrity Flora | 7 | $13,496 | |
| Oct 21, 2026 | HX | MS Santa Cruz II | 8 | $7,224 | |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Silversea | Silver Origin | 7 | $13,520 | |
| Oct 30, 2026 | HX | MS Santa Cruz II | 13 | $11,374 | |
| Nov 10, 2026 | HX | MS Santa Cruz II | 6 | $6,983 | |
| Nov 13, 2026 | Celebrity | Celebrity Flora | 16 | $23,957 | |
| Nov 13, 2026 | Celebrity | Celebrity Flora | 11 | $15,757 | |
| Nov 13, 2026 | Celebrity | Celebrity Flora | 10 | $15,607 | |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Silversea | Silver Origin | 7 | $11,900 | |
| Nov 15, 2026 | Celebrity | Celebrity Flora | 7 | $13,607 | |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Celebrity | Celebrity Flora | 11 | $12,252 | |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Celebrity | Celebrity Flora | 10 | $12,102 | |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Celebrity | Celebrity Flora | 16 | $20,452 | |
| Dec 11, 2026 | Celebrity | Celebrity Flora | 10 | $11,159 |
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