Santiago,
often called James, is the Galapagos' fourth biggest island,
with an area 226 square miles (585 square kilometers). It's
shape is more elongated than some of the other islands, about 22
miles (35 kilometers) in a northeast - southwest direction and
14.5 miles (23 kilometers) wide. The highest point is 2,974 feet
(906 meters).
The island is also called San Salvador or Chavez sure to
confuse an unsuspecting tourist. The English named it James
after King James II. The Ecuadorians called it Santiago (from
Spanish for Saint James) in 1832 after their official
independence from Spain.
Wild donkeys are a major problem on the island as they have
destroyed large areas of native vegetation. The Galapagos
National Park Service is presently engaged in an eradication
program and has significantly reduced the number of donkeys.
James Bay - On the northwestern side of the island is
South James Bay (Puerto Egas). The landing is on a black beach
with eroded rock formations in the background. The trail crosses
the dry interior, where the remains of a salt-mining enterprise
can still be seen and then continues along the coast.
Inter-tidal pools are home to a variety of invertebrate
organisms.
Land iguanas are scattered around
feeding on exposed algae while Oyster Catchers try to capture
Sally Lightfoot Crabs. The trail then leads to the Fur Seal
Grottos, one of the only places in the islands where Fur Seals
can be seen. Puerto Egas is a good spot for taking pictures.
Either at dawn or sunset, the light for photography is perfect.
The lava and the black sand seem to catch fire and the animals
acquire a surreal quality.
Sullivan Bay - On the other
side of the island, the northeast, is Sullivan Bay.
Across a narrow channel from Bartolome, this site offers the
possibility of seeing a recent Pahoehoe (ropy) lava flow, formed
about 100 years ago. It is exciting to imagine how this lava
flowed down to the sea, engulfing everything in its way. After
exploring the lava flow, there is swimming and snorkeling with
playful sea lions off two small coralline beaches.
