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Santa Cruz Fish Market Galapagos Islands

After a busy day traveling from Quito to Santa Cruz Island, hiking the lava caves, and hanging with some giant tortoises, we were eager to drop off our bags at the hotel and do some low key exploring of Puerto Ayora. The first place that caught our eye from the crowd and commotion was the Santa Cruz fish market. We saw that fishermen were unloading their catches from the day, and locals picked out their dinner while tourists took photos of pelicans trying to steal the fish or waiting for scraps. It was a nice spot to do people and bird watching.

Next to the fish market was a short pier that takes you over the water. It was a great vantage point of all the activity happening at the fish market, as well as the pelicans and frigate birds.

The Santa Cruz fish market in the city of Puerto Ayora.Pin
Pelicans waiting for fish scraps at the Santa Cruz fish market in the city of Puerto Ayora.Pin
Pelicans waiting for fish scraps at the Santa Cruz fish market in the city of Puerto Ayora.Pin
Male Frigate Bird at the Puerto Ayora Santa Cruz fish market.Pin
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Frigate Birds at the Santa Cruz fish market in the city of Puerto Ayora.Pin
The Santa Cruz fish market in the city of Puerto Ayora.Pin
Fresh fish at the Santa Cruz fish market in the city of Puerto Ayora.Pin
Local kids swimming near the Santa Cruz fish market in the city of Puerto Ayora.Pin

Also, looking down toward the shoreline, there were colonies of Sally Lightfoot crabs scattered over the lava rocks below. I took far too many photos of these beautiful crabs, so you can see the full post here. These crabs are on many, if not all, of the islands. Just go toward the ocean, and you will find them!

Photos of the beautiful sally lightfoot crab in the Galapagos Islands. They are also known as red rock crab, abuete negro, grapsus grapsusPin
Photos of the beautiful sally lightfoot crab in the Galapagos Islands. They are also known as red rock crab, abuete negro, grapsus grapsusPin
Eat fresh fish at the Puerto Ayora Santa Cruz fish market.Pin
Eat fresh fish at the Puerto Ayora Santa Cruz fish market.Pin
All photos above were taken with a Canon 5D Mark III35mm/1.4L and 70-200mm/2.8L lens.

Tips for the Santa Cruz Fish Market and navigating Puerto Ayora:
  • To see the male frigate bird’s puffed up red pouches, you must come during mating season. Different sources have said the month of February or the month of July. You can, however, see them mating all year round on North Seymour. We didn’t have time to go to another island, so we missed out on seeing this unique trait of the frigate bird.
  • The fish market becomes an outdoor restaurant that opens in the evening. It has a set menu, but you get a plate full of seafood and two sides for a really good price (around $5)!
  • Puerto Ayora is the most populated city in the entire Galapagos Islands, so I would do your souvenir shopping here. Based on what we saw, there wasn’t much available on Isabela Island and the other islands are even less populated.
  • You can also go for a swim here. We saw local kids playing in the water next to the pier.
  • You can sometimes see sea lions hanging out here also waiting for fish or the next pier, which is a short walk away.

Have you been to an outdoor fish market before? Which one is your fave? (link in comments below)

You can see a video montage of our Galapagos trip, or check out my other travel posts by clicking on the banner below:

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This Post Has 8 Comments

  1. I wasn’t sure if I’d like these photos as pictures of market places don’t really ‘do it’ for me, but you proved me wrong again. I am in awe with how you captured the cold, wet, dampness. There is so much ‘essence’ captured in these photos. They made me shiver a bit, not gonna lie.

    Thank you for sharing, Esther. :)

    1. well, it can’t be that cold, but I’m not going to say I’m convinced that I want to jump in that water!

      1. esther julee

        Yeah… there weren’t any tourists in the water.. only local kids. It was too chilly for us. I only go into the water when it’s 90s. But who knows, someone might want to! :)

        1. I must admit, I was confused for a second. I then realised you were talking about Fahrenheit! There was me thinking “Esther is hardcore, braving waters that are 90C!”. Ahh, cultural differences ;)

          1. esther julee

            haha! ooooops! i forget that we’re the only ones that use F. :)

  2. toni d.

    Gorgeous photos as always. When you get all world famous, I’d like a signed first edition of your coffee table book please. :)

    And ARGH I missed your birthday! I’m sorry :( Belated happy birthday!!!

    1. esther julee

      Thanks girl! :) You got it! You’ll be the first one to get a copy.. if it ever happens. haha

      It’s all good. You were SO busy this past month. But I’ll take it. Thanks!! :) So glad to see you back though

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