Santiago (San Salvador, James)

Its name is equivalent to Saint James in English; it is also known as San Salvador, after the first island discovered by Columbus in the Caribbean Sea. This island has an area of 585 square kilometers (226 mi²) and a maximum altitude of 907 meters (2976 ft). Marine iguanas, sea lions, fur seals, land and sea turtles, flamingos, dolphins and sharks are found here. Pigs and goats, which were introduced by humans to the islands and have caused great harm to the endemic species, have been eradicated (pigs in 2002; goat eradication is nearing finalization). Darwin Finches and Galápagos Hawks are usually seen as well as a colony of Fur Seals. At Sullivan Bay a recent (around 100 years ago) pahoehoe lava flow can be observed. 

Santiago Island is an island of the Galápagos Islands. It is also known as San Salvador, after the first island discovered by Columbus in the Caribbean Sea (see San Salvador Island), or as James Island. The island, which consists of two overlapping volcanoes, has an area of 585 km² and a maximum altitude of 907 meters, atop the northwestern shield volcano. The volcano in the island's southwest erupted along a linear fissure, and is much lower. The oldest lava flows on the island date back to 750,000 years ago. 

Marine iguanas, sea lions, fur seals, land and sea turtles, flamingos, dolphins and sharks are found here. There are a large number of goats and pigs, animals which were introduced by humans to the islands and have caused great harm to the endemic species. Darwin Finches and Galápagos Hawks are usually seen as well as a colony of Fur Seals. At Sullivan Bay a recent (1897) pahoehoe lava flow can be observed. 

Puerto Egas, south of James Bay and west side of Santiago is one of the best sites. There is a long, lava shoreline where eroded rock formations, house an excellent variety of wildlife. Marine iguanas bask in the sun while land iguanas scater around feeding on exposed algae. The tide pools contain many Sally Lightfoot crabs, which attract other types of hunters. Following the trail Fur seal lions are found. Puerto Egas is no only a good spot for taking pictures but also perfect for snorkeling and seeing many species of tropical fish. 

Sullivan Bay is especially fascinating for those who are interested in geology and volcanology. You can walk over the uneroded, black lava flow covered with lava bubbles and tree-trunk molds in the surface. There are two small beaches where turtles come for nesting. 

Cousin's Rock is a well known dive site and is situated off the east coast of Santiago. It is a triangular rock that rises about 10m out of the water and is made up of many layers of volcanic rock 

8 June 2007 – Afternoon Visit to Punta Egas (South James Bay), Isla Santiago (James)

On the western side of James Island, Port Egas has been changed considerably by activity around a salt extraction operation and by large numbers of introduced animals, which have had a profound effect on the area’s vegetation. A visit to fur seal grottos, a climb to the top of Sugarloaf, or a walk to the Salt Volcano make the area worth a visit.

PRINCIPAL ATTRACTIONS: fur seals; salt lake crater; Galápagos hawks; feral goats

OTHER ATTRACTIONS: tuff formations; grasshoppers, spiders; remains of buildings; flamingos; sea lions; yellow-crowned night herons; freshwater spring; Galápagos doves; Galápagos finches; snakes

MAIN PLANT SPECIES: Heliotropium sp.; Bursera graveolens (palo santo); Opuntia galapageia galapageia (prickly pear cactus); Castela galapageia; Psidium galapagageium; Scutia pauciflora; Polygola andersonii; Tiquilla darwinii; Acacia sp.; Cassia tora; Tribulus cistoides (puncture vine); Cordia lutea

9 June 2007 – Afternoon Visit to Sullivan Bay, Isla Santiago (James)

This apparently barren visitor site typical of James Island provides an opportunity to view a recent lava flow, attendant with its structural characteristics. This area is composed of relatively flat, black pahoehoe (ropy) lava, dotted with a series of pyroclastic cones, which were engulfed by the lava as it flowed towards the sea. Tiny Mollugo plants, a fragile pioneer species, can be spotted growing out of fissures as they begin to colonize the terrain.

PRINCIPAL ATTRACTIONS: area of fresh pahoehoe lava; lava bubbles containing crystallized minerals

OTHER ATTRACTIONS: beach; snorkeling area; Mollugo; tree trunk impression in lava

MAIN PLANT SPECIES: Maytenus octogona (rompeollas); Scutia pauciflora (espino); Laguncularia racemosa (mangle blanco or white mangrove); Tiquilia sp.; Mollugo sp.; Bursera graveolens (palo santo)