Tortuga Bay Beach(Galapagos Beach at Tortuga Bay)

Located on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos Archipelago, Ecuador, Tortuga Bay Beach is a two-kilometer-long white sand beach with many rocky portions.  The beach is part of the famous Galapagos National Park and has a spectacular backdrop of dunes, salt flats, mangrove trees, Palo Santo trees, cacti, and salt bushes, which offer incredible views.  The beach is a nesting site for black sea turtles and other wildlife, and many conservation efforts are strictly enforced to protect these nesting sites.  Tortuga Bay, Santa Cruz, is promoted as an ecotourism destination, encouraging sustainable tourism practices that preserve its natural ecosystem.

Tortuga Bay Beach does not have lifeguards but offers many amenities, including restrooms, showers, shaded areas, benches, a beach equipment rental facility, a walking trail, trash cans, and informative signs about conservation and wildlife that are present to educate visitors.

Tortuga Bay Beach offers many fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, surfing, snorkeling, diving, watching wildlife, walking, and hiking.  If you plan to go into the water, it has a safe area to swim, but we recommend being cautious as the water has unpredictable rip currents.   If you want to enjoy snorkeling, the shallow waters and clear visibility allow divers and snorkelers to explore a diverse array of fish, corals, white-tip reef sharks, tiger sharks, and other marine creatures.  It is an ideal spot to go surfing due to the frequent windy Tortuga Bay weather.  Visitors may spot a diverse array of wildlife near the beach, including giant tortoises, marine and land iguanas, sea lions, Darwin's finches, sea lions, Galapagos sharks, sea turtles, Galapago crabs, and birds such as frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, pelicans, mockingbirds, and flamingos.  There are many interpretive signs along the trail that provide information about the flora, fauna, and geological features of the area.  The beach is known for its incredible views that make it a photographer's delight, and there are many points near the beach known for taking the best Tortuga Bay Beach photos.  Dogs are not allowed here, and the beach is open from sunrise until sunset.

Tortuga Bay Beach, Ecuador, offers an access path for people with disabilities.

There is no direct flight to Tortuga Bay Beach, Santa Cruz Island.  Most international flights operate to and from Seymour Airport on nearby Baltra Island.  If you are traveling from Baltra Island, you can book a ferry from Baltra Ferry Terminal to Santa Cruz Ferry Terminal to access the beach.  Once you are on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos, visitors must take a bus or taxi to the town of Puerto Ayora. 

Getting to Tortuga Bay Beach is easy – the beach is easily accessible via a one-and-a-half-mile-long paved walking trail from the west end of the town of Puerto Ayora, which takes around 30 minutes. Visitors must sign in at the Galapagos National Park control booth at the trailhead. It is worth noting that there is no entry fee, but registration is mandatory.  Alternatively, visitors can also take a water taxi from Gus Angermeyer Pier and Ferry Terminal in Puerto Ayora, which costs around $10.

"Tortuga," which means "turtle" in Spanish, was the name given to Tortuga Bay Beach, because it is a popular nesting site for the black sea turtle.  

There are many attractions near Tortuga Bay Beach.  Galapagos National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that covers over 7,000 square kilometers of diverse ecosystems, including volcanic terrain, lush forests, and marine habitats.  The islands' isolation has led to the evolution of endemic species such as the Galápagos giant tortoise, marine iguanas, and the blue-footed booby.  Visitors can explore designated areas with strict guidelines to minimize environmental impact, aiming to protect these fragile ecosystems while managing tourism sustainably and ensuring the preservation of this natural wonder for future generations.  El Mirador de Los Tunnels is a network of lava tunnels, offering a unique adventure and an opportunity to experience the geological wonders of the Galapagos Islands.  Inside the tunnels, you can see a variety of lava formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, and unique textures created by the cooling lava that provide stunning views of the surrounding landscape, providing an excellent opportunity for photography and appreciating the island's natural beauty.  

The Charles Darwin Research Station is a biological research center that focuses on conducting scientific research and promoting conservation activities in the Galapagos Islands.  It mainly involves the captive breeding and rearing of endangered species, such as the Galapagos giant tortoises, and educating local communities and visitors about the importance of conservation and sustainable practices.  The station offers educational programs, exhibits, interpretive displays, workshops, and tours to raise awareness about the ecological significance of the Galapagos Islands.  Las Grietas is a series of deep volcanic crevices filled with crystal-clear brackish water, a mix of saltwater from the sea and freshwater from underground sources.  The steep walls of the crevices create a dramatic landscape where visitors can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, diving, and watching wildlife.   If you are looking for another nearby attraction, Los Gemelos, also known as the Twin Craters, are two impressive volcanic sinkholes that were formed by volcanic activity on Santa Cruz Island.  Actually, these are pit craters created by the collapse of underground magma chambers.  Visitors can explore these craters via hiking trails that meander through the Scalesia Forest, which provides an excellent opportunity for bird watching and enjoying the natural beauty of the highlands.

If you get hungry, there are many restaurants near Tortuga Bay Beach.  Laguna Beach serves incredible Ecuadorian-inspired dishes, including soups, salads, pasta, ceviche, seafood, poultry, meat, and vegetarian dishes.  Isla Grill serves amazing salads, curries, seafood, poultry, and meat dishes.  La Regata serves amazing salads, sushi, quesadillas, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  The Rock Galapagos has an outdoor seating area and serves amazing Asian cuisine, including seafood, beef, meat, poultry, and vegetarian dishes.  If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant nearby, La Pausa serves salads, soup, burgers, pizzas, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.

If you are looking for a hotel in Tortuga Bay Beach, Galapagos, there are many great options nearby.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star Angermeyer Waterfront Inn is 13 minutes away by car and offers many amenities, including a restaurant and a pier.  A more affordable option is the Ikala Galapagos Hotel, which offers several amenities, including an outdoor pool, a kid’s club, a restaurant, and complimentary breakfast.  Another moderately priced option is the Hotel Galapagos Suites, which has several amenities, including an outdoor pool, a garden, and a dining room.   A more reasonably priced option is the Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel, which offers a few amenities, including an outdoor pool, a spa, and a restaurant.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby hotel, Hotel Fiesta offers a few amenities, including a restaurant and an outdoor pool.