Santiago Moran

Santiago arrived on the island of Santa Cruz as a boy of 7. His first memory is the view of Academy Bay as he descended the dirt road from the lush highlands of Santa Rosa. He had never seen a color like it, such a vivid, beautiful turquoise. The moment made such an impression on young Santiago that he credits it with his decision to devote his life to "this magical place and the wild waters surrounding it." Growing up on a tropical island is a dream for most children, and Santiago took full advantage of his exposure to the wonders of nature every day. He learned to swim in the lagoon of Tortuga Bay, paddling alongside sea turtles and mischievous seal lion pups. He fished in the tidepools alongside blue-footed boobies and sunbathing marine iguanas. It did not take long for the draw of the great Pacific Ocean to became more than just a passion for Santiago, who made it his profession. He earned his open-water dive instructor certification at 18 and began to lead diving trips throughout the archipelago. With experience the best teacher, he learned as much as he possibly could from his wild classroom. Still craving more knowledge, he opted to earn his naturalist guide certification from Galapagos National Park. Since then, Santiago has guided thousands of dive trips and led hundreds of land expeditions throughout the archipelago over the past two decades. He says, "Nothing gives me greater pleasure or pride than to share my beloved islands with our guests. It is my honor to do so."

Upcoming Adventures with Santiago:
Classic Galapagos: The Natural Habitat Experience
Galapagos Hiking & Kayaking Adventure

Praise from Nat Hab travelers:

C. Tani
"Santiago and Cecibel were exceptionally knowledgeable about the natural wonders of the Galapagos. Their passion for what they do added an indelible dimension to the overall experience. We came away with so many stories and memories and the desire to protect what remains of Earth's wild places." 

J. Yarnall
"Santiago and Giancarlo were extremely knowledgeable. They seemed to have an answer to any question that was asked. Their patience, enthusiasm, sense of humor and kindness made them seem more like friends than guides. They are the best guides I've ever had."

L. Wrinkle
"The trip to the Galapagos was amazing, but meeting Santiago and seeing his passion for sharing his home with everyone made the trip exceed all of my expectations. He was kind, inviting and patient at all times. His down-to-earth personality made us feel welcome and comfortable to ask questions. His subject knowledge was superb. He seemed genuinely excited to start each day and share the wonders of the islands with us, giving us the impression that he truly enjoyed his job. I can not say enough about how wonderful Santiago was as a guide, and I recommend that he be commended for his outstanding abilities at his job."

J. Smith
"Santiago’s encyclopedic knowledge and genuine caring attitude truly exceeded our expectations. He is one of the best guides we've ever had."

L. Reed
"I have traveled extensively over six continents. I have had many guides and in comparison, I would say both Santiago and Roberto are exceptional! You are lucky to have such caring, courteous and compassionate guides representing your company. Their vast knowledge of the islands helped make my trip to Galapagos one of my best journeys."