Galapagos Islands South Plaza

Galapagos Islands South Plaza - A colourful paradise for hybrid iguanas

The Galapagos Islands of South Plaza and North Plaza are twin islands located within a few hundred metres from the east coast of Santa Cruz Island. North Plaza Island is only open for researchers and scientists. Both islands are formed by the uplifting of the sea floor instead of volcanic activity. That is the reason why the islands are tilted northwards and one is more inclined than the other. Despite being one of the smallest islands among the Galapagos Islands, South Plaza Island has one of the most fascinating flora and fauna flourishing on its unique landform. Visitors can visit the island from the northern coast as the south side is inaccessible due to its 25 metres steep coast. The island is around 1.5 kilometres long and 500m wide.

A Wonderland of Colours

South Plaza Island is extremely rich in unique plants and vegetation. Massive Opuntia cactuses, also known as giant prickly pears, grow abundantly on the island, and the ground is covered with colourful Galapagos carpetweed. These plants are endemic to this island and are famous for changing colours throughout different seasons. During the dry season, the Galapagos carpetweed forms a vibrant red and violet carpet over the island. This turns lush green in the rainy season and yellow during the dry season.

As you arrive at the pier, you will be greeted by a colony of sea lions. You can make your way to the cliffs where you will have the best spot to marvel at the elegant flight of the swallow-tailed gulls and other seabirds. Your hike to the bird watching cliffs will also be occasionally accompanied by smaller land iguanas. South Plaza Island is the only place on earth where you will find the Galapagos hybrid iguanas (a result of cross-breeding between a male marine iguana and female land iguana) due to overlapping territories.

Highlights

Galapagos carpetweed, land iguanas, hybrid iguanas, and cacti.

Animals

Land iguanas, Galapagos hybrid iguanas, marine iguanas, sea lions, swallow-tailed gulls and many more.

South Plaza Island at a glance

Area: 0.2 km2
Highest elevation: 24 m
Population: uninhabited

Ways to get there: hotel/cruise ship, day boats

Plaza Island Tours

Dragon Hill at Santa Cruz Island

Ecuador & Galapagos trip with the experts 2026

Duration: 15 - 15 days
Highlights:

This trip is accompanied by Galapagos and Ecuador expert Beate Zwermann, founder of Galapagos PRO.

From ,-
Price per pax
Charles Darwin statue on San Cristóbal

Galapagos compact - from 6 days - San Cristóbal

Duration: 6 - 10 days
Highlights: San Cristóbal Island, Snorkeling at Kicker Rock, Santa Cruz Island, Charles Darwin Station, Bartolomé Island, Sullivan Island, Plaza Sur Island

6-Days/5-Nights - Island Hopping - 6 Islands - Hotels and Excursion Program with Española Island.

From 1210,- USD
Price per pax

✪ Plaza Island Tours ✪

Dragon Hill at Santa Cruz Island

Ecuador & Galapagos trip with the experts 2026

Duration: 15 - 15 days
Highlights:

This trip is accompanied by Galapagos and Ecuador expert Beate Zwermann, founder of Galapagos PRO.

From ,-
Price per pax
Charles Darwin statue on San Cristóbal

Galapagos compact - from 6 days - San Cristóbal

Duration: 6 - 10 days
Highlights: San Cristóbal Island, Snorkeling at Kicker Rock, Santa Cruz Island, Charles Darwin Station, Bartolomé Island, Sullivan Island, Plaza Sur Island

6-Days/5-Nights - Island Hopping - 6 Islands - Hotels and Excursion Program with Española Island.

From 1210,- USD
Price per pax
Wittmer Statue on Floreana Island

Galapagos Island Hopping: Settlers Trail

Duration: 7 - 9 days
Highlights: Santa Cruz Island, Floreana Island, Pirate Cove, Giant Tortoises in the Highlands, Land Iguanas in Plaza Sur , History of the early settlers, Charles Darwin Station, Bartolomé Island

Galapagos Explorer - 5 Islands - Stay with the descendants of the first settlers

From 1410,- USD
Price per pax
Golondrina I

Galapagos Island Cruise on a Budget

Duration: 8 - 14 days
Highlights: 5 Routes to Choose, Magical Landscapes, Selection of Hand-Picked Cruises, To and From Baltra Island, Includes Quito Hotel, Includes Domestic Flight, Includes Cruise, Includes All Meals During Cruise, Includes All Excursions, Includes Transfers, English Speaking Guides, Individual Tour Connections

Enjoy the perfect Galapagos experience with a short cruise on a basic ship.

From 2030,- USD
Price per pax
Los Túneles: Pose with seals and boobies

Galapagos island hopping from east to west

Duration: 9 - 14 days
Highlights: Sea lions - San Cristóbal, Giant tortoises - Santa Cruz, Iguanas, Flamingos - Isabela, Leon Dormido, Plaza Sur Island, Sierra Negra vulcanoe, Tintoreras excursion

During an island hopping, the unique co-existence of humans and animals on Galapagos can be experienced first-hand.

From 2200,- USD
Price per pax
Isabela II

Galapagos Cruise Complete

Duration: 14 - 18 days
Highlights: Genovesa, Fernandina, Española, Bartolomé, Flora und Fauna komplett

Take your time to discover the true essence of the Galapagos

From 5990,- USD
Price per pax
Dragon Hill at Santa Cruz Island

Ecuador & Galapagos trip with the experts 2025

Duration: 15 - 15 days
Highlights:

This trip is accompanied by Galapagos and Ecuador expert Beate Zwermann, founder of Galapagos PRO.

From 8470,- USD
Price per pax