Day 5 - on to Santa Cruz Island

Today we began the day with breakfast at the hotel, then on to another brutally bumpy/rocky boat transfer to Santa Cruz Island.

After transferring, we visited the Charles Darwin Research Center!

Later that afternoon, we took a 45 minute nature walk to the pristine beaches of tortuga bay! I didn't get to take many pictures while there, but it was beautiful and calm water in a cove bordering mangroves that provided shelter to small sharks and many kinds of fish. The barrier was lined with cacti and flowers, and the beach's sand was soft and light colored. It was a much needed cool, refreshing swim after a long day in the sun... After our swim, we walked all the way back to town, ate dinner together at an outdoor traditional eatery and then enjoyed the hotel rooftop pool and (for some) a brief karaoke session. Tonight was all about relaxing after the day's activities.