The fish market of Santa Cruz
The Santa Cruz Fish Market is a lively place in Puerto Ayora, and it’s not all that far from the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel – the only beach-front property on the island. Walking there makes for a pleasant and amusing stroll along the bay in Puerto Ayora, and guests often have their senses stimulated by a number of things throughout the walk. Stop for a refreshing cocktail or cold beer, and look around the city’s many souvenir shops to find a perfect gift to take back home. Everyone is sure to find it’s easy to melt into the Galapagos Island life. From the number of rays that glide underwater to soaking up the laid back island vibes that surround the town, guests are sure to enjoy the walk and get a special treat that’s located not all that far from the Charles Darwin Research Station.
When guests arrive at the Santa Cruz Fish Market, it’s often the case that newcomers don’t just hang around to get a look and what’s being cleaned and sold – they often stay for the spectacle surrounding it.
The Santa Cruz Fish Market: Fresh from the Sea
There is no fresher fish than the one that’s caught in the morning and cooked in the afternoon. Living on an island has this exact advantage. Because of the Galapagos’ location on the equator, where both the Cromwell and Humboldt currents meet, seafood is as diverse as it is delicious. Always abiding by the strict Galapagos National Park regulations on when and where to fish, artisanal fishermen go out every morning and afternoon to catch some of the islanders’ most common and favorite fish. At the Santa Cruz Fish Market, you will find beautiful yellow-thin tunas (bonito), groupers (bacalao), and endemic fish such as camotillo, scorpion fish (brujo), and red snapper (pargo).
And come the lobster season, you will find two species of this crustacean served everywhere, the smaller-sized slipper lobster and the famous red-lobster. Restaurants are located just minutes away from the Santa Cruz Fish Market and these prepare the fish with their very own recipes every day. Try the Finch Bay’s fresh red snapper in a reduction of Andean mushrooms or its famous grilled tuna seared with a sesame crust. Your mouth is sure to start watering the moment you look at the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel’s restaurant menu!
The Action Surrounding the Santa Cruz Fish Market
Frequent fans of this informal attraction at Puerto Ayora are the pelicans that waddle all over the counters and the sea lions that poke their heads up beside the sellers, sniffing at the coveted treasures that they’re slicing up. Among this audience: the random iguana just hanging out on the side, passively watching the whole thing unfold – again giving guests the chance to visually see how such a diverse number of species manage to peacefully co-exist with each other and us, humans!
If you decide to go for a morning stroll down Puerto Ayora’s boardwalk, make sure to stop and admire this scene that truly depicts “organized chaos,” and have your camera ready to capture a sneaky pelican trying to steal a fish!