Santa Cruz Fish Market
Santa Cruz Fish Market
Santa Cruz Fish Market
4.5
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Duration: < 1 hour
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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4.5
897 reviews
Excellent
540
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264
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86
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3
FivestarExplorer
New York City, NY81 contributions
Apr 2021
Our wonderful expert guide, Alex Arregui, a highly experienced, bilingual, level 3 Galapagos guide with a sense of humour, took us here before taking us to the Darwin Centre, where he actual did scientific research in the early days. The market is very small, open every morning. Fascinating to see the variety of fish they catch. The photo ops of the wildlife waiting for scraps are priceless. Don't miss.
Written April 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jill1717
Montreal, Canada76 contributions
Jan 2020
We were walking by when the fishermen brought in the fresh catch of the day. The animals seemed to know the routine and hung to the side and waited for the skin and pieces and to be given to them. The biggest delight was meeting Stella. She was a dying sea lion pup that the fishermen adopted and now she lives at the fisher market and is truly like a dog to the locals.
Written January 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott T
Philadelphia, PA63 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Every guide tells you to do this, so this post is nothing new. However we went at multiple different times of day, in the morning, early afternoon and evening, and actually you really have to go a bunch of times if possible to try to catch it in full swing. We finally did on our last night at about 530 until about 630, where the full entertainment of this place could be taken in. Sea lions, frigatebirds, iguanas, a heron; everything but a blue footed booby.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
spendingpension
Lincoln, UK219 contributions
Sept 2022
Walk by at different times of the day. We thought this was a wonderful chance to see the local fishermen and the local women going about their daily lives. Bringing in the catch , gutting and filleting fish,. selling small or large pieces and weighing lobsters and fish. Of course the chance of a meal attracts pelicans, frigate birds and sea lions. Dont miss this free attraction.
Written September 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
skifans
St Agnes, UK79 contributions
Jan 2020
This is such a unique place and totally free for people to wander around watching the local fishermen gut and prepare their recently caught fish. It is in the middle of Santa Cruz but is quite small but definitely worth a visit. We passed it nearly everyday whilst staying on the island and it was always worth stopping to see what was going to be on the menu that night however the most incredible thing to see was all the animals hanging around for off cuts. There are usually at least 3 if not more sea lions (and their babies) often under the counter waiting to catch discarded fish bits as well as pelicans, iguanas, frigate birds and herons all standing in line. Quite amazing and totally unafraid of humans. A must go to place for anyone lucky enough to visit these islands.
Written February 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cherie C
Sydney, Australia476 contributions
Mar 2020
We really enjoyed our visit to the fish market. We got there at 6.00am to see fish coming in and being weighed and LOVED watching the seals and birds waiting for scraps. It is definitely worth going to and having a look. It is nice and quiet in the streets early in the morning and you get a different feel for the place. More like a local. Enjoy.
Written May 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DCCR336
Fallbrook, CA132 contributions
Apr 2022
Walked by here numerous times a day and there was always activity. Between the frigate birds, boobies, pelicans, iguanas, and sea lions it's all here. We could of sat for hours. If you want fresh fish this is your place. They slice the fresh fish right there. After being on the island 10 days it became the norm to see all the wildlife on the daily. Sad to leave.
Written May 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hfpsychologist
Castle Rock, CO255 contributions
Feb 2020
You have to go to the Fish Market! Many of Puerto Ayora's wildlife show up for the the chance of getting some food as the fish are being cleaned. We saw pelicans, sea lions, iguanas, and many other birds. We even saw a mother sea lion nursing her baby!
Written February 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mobydick20152015
Ottawa, Canada32 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We love fresh fish. The fish available in the Galápagos Islands at this fish market is pulled out of the ocean immediately before it is offered for sale. Not only humans congregate here to see and smell the fish. There was a sea lion pup who resembled a pet puppy, waiting for fish bits. There were herons and pelicans close by, watching the fish being sliced and waiting for the tailings. It might sound odd, but it is totally delightful and clean and natural.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rod_Lavrador
Dubai, United Arab Emirates239 contributions
Jan 2020
It´s a small fish market, actually it´s only one stand selling fish and sea food. Some people will say it´s nothing.. but for me it´s an unique environment not seen in many places in the world.
Even if you don´t find it that super interesting, it´s free and it´s right in the main avenue in Puerto Ayora.. There is no way to miss it. It´s cute and fun to see sea lions and birds begging for a piece of fish..
Go there and take a look after returning from a tour or from the beach... 5h/5h30 is a good time. It will take 15 minutes from your time and it´s another check on your list of what to do in Sant Cruz ;)
Even if you don´t find it that super interesting, it´s free and it´s right in the main avenue in Puerto Ayora.. There is no way to miss it. It´s cute and fun to see sea lions and birds begging for a piece of fish..
Go there and take a look after returning from a tour or from the beach... 5h/5h30 is a good time. It will take 15 minutes from your time and it´s another check on your list of what to do in Sant Cruz ;)
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, I am planning to visit fish market during February. I was wondering when the market is closed . Probably we will go there on Saturday , so I hope it opens on the day
Written October 21, 2018
Usually open every day. Go in the morning 8 AM. Often by lunch (12-1 PM) they are done for the day.
Written October 21, 2018
Sorry I posted my question in the wrong place. I read that someone bought a lobster at the fish market and brought it across the street to a restaurant to be cooked. Can anyone tell me the name of that restaurant or will any restaurant cook fish/ lobster if u bring your own?
Written January 14, 2018
La Garrapata restaurant cooked it for us, but our tour guide made the arrangements. Could ask the restaurant, maybe.
Written January 14, 2018
Welke dag is de vismarkt en omhoe laat moet je daar dan zijn. What day and what time you have to be there for the fishmarket
Written July 23, 2017
Anyday, most of all early in the morning, but also late afternoon.
Written July 23, 2017
Kaleb G
What is the best time to go there in the morning?
Written January 31, 2017
Midday to late afternoon seemed to be when it was busiest, and when the sea lions came to play!
Written February 5, 2017
937mathi
Quito, Ecuador
Buenas tardes con mi familia vamos a estar es Santa Cruz lunes sera que el Mercado esta abierto ese dĂa? y de pronto me recomienda alguna otra actividad voy con mis hijos son pequeños de 6 y 3 años Muchas gracias por su atenciĂłn.
Written August 29, 2016
What is the address of the fish market in Puerto Ayora? What street is it on? Can sometime tell me what is the closest hotel so I can try to find it on a map?
Written June 19, 2016
Hi Lisa,
You can find the Fishing piers on the google maps: "Muelle del pescador, Avenue Charles Darwin, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Equador". Its between Calle n° 61 and Charles Binford, in front of some The Volcano restaurant and the Pacific Bank.
I holp I helped you.
Written June 20, 2016
Cuál es el mejor horario para llegar y poder ver todo el movimiento ,y para cenar?
Gracias!!!
Written December 27, 2015
Nosotros pasamos a las 15 hs y estaban desembarcando pescado y clasificándolo con los inspectores oficiales. Volvimos a las 18.30/19 hs y ya se podĂa comer en las mesas que están al otro lado de donde se vende. En ese momento estaba muy activo de ambos lados, tal vez varĂe segĂşn la temporada, no lo se, el dĂa que estuvimos fue un placer: habĂa langostas y pescados, todo muy elemental, como puede esperarse de una banquina de pescadores con toda la familia haciendo su parte, bien limpio y cuidado.
Written December 28, 2015
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