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Sullivan bay- Santiago Island
Vistor Sites

Sullivan Bay

Sullivan Bay - Santiago Island

This visitor site is located at the southeastern portion of Santiago Island and represents a great important geologic interest; it features extensive lava flows which are believed to have been formed during the last quarter of the 19th century. The area is covered by Pahoehoe lava flows (Pahoehoe wich means in Polynesian language “easy to walk”); this type of lava is rare to the rest of the world but is common to the volcanoes of the Galapagos Islands and Hawaii, as they share the same volcanic origin.

You can see the path of lava flow as well as the various igneous rock structures formed from varying rates of flow, temperature of formation and pressure. Visitors can also find pioneer plants and “hornitos”, little ovens formed when bubbles escape from hot lava to form mini-volcanoes.

At 492 ft (150 m) from the beginning of the path, molds of some trees can be found. Details of the crust indicate that they were trees growing in small crevices where soil and moisture accumulate in sufficient quantity so they can grow.

After exploring the lava flow, you can swim and snorkel with playful sea lions off two small coralline beaches.

Sullivan Bay at Santiago Island, Galapagos Island: A marine iguana at the Sullivan Bay

  • Disembarking: Wet.
  • Type of Terrain: Flat & Petrified Lava.
  • Difficulty: High.
  • Activities: 1 hour 30 min hike / 1 hour snorkeling or beach time.
  • Highlights: This is the perfect place to see and feel the volcanic origin of the Galapagos.

Wildlife by visitor site

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SEA LION
Hawk icon

GALAPAGOS HAWK

Marine iguana icon
MARINE IGUANA
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SEA TURTLE

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DARWIN FINCH
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GALAPAGOS PENGUIN

Gallery

Sullivan bay, solid volcanic lava with tourist watching all
Sullivan bay in Santiago Island have a solid volcanic lava with tourist exploring the terrain
Sullivan bay, solid volcanic lava in the Galapagos Islands
Sullivan bay, solid volcanic lava with tourist watching all
Sullivan bay in Santiago Island, solid volcanic lava with tourist
Sullivan bay, solid volcanic lava with tourist girl
Sullivan bay in Santiago Island, solid lava
Sullivan bay in Santiago Island, solid lava with backgroud of the bartolome island
Sullivan bay in Santiago Island, view of the volcano
Sullivan bay in Santiago Island, view of many travelers in a Panga and in the background the Coral Yacht

Suggested items

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SUNSCREEN
Glasses icon
GLASSES
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WETSUIT
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SNORKELING
Windbreaker icon
WINDBREAKER
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WATER BOTTLE
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HIKING SHOES
Cap
CAP
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CAMERA
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INSECT REPELLENT

Location Map

Location map