The Galapagos Islands boasts some tremendously good beaches. Beach afficionados will be delighted by the array of exceptionally gorgeous options here. As well as the beauty of the landscapes, these beaches host a fascinating array of wildlife. Visitors to Galapagos beaches can enjoy everything from simply relaxing in the sunshine on the sand, through to snorkeling with sea lions and observing the weird and wonderful creatures that can be found here.
These are our Galapagos Insiders top 5 beaches not to miss in the Galapagos Islands:
This means that as well as just kicking back on the beach, there is an interesting array of wildlife to be seen at Tortuga Bay. Tortuga Bay is so named for the sea turtles that make nests in the white sand here. Marine iguanas may be seen lounging around catching the sun, and Sally Lightfoot crabs scuttle across the sand. A lagoon sitting just beyond the beach is often a good spot to observe flamingos, while pelicans and sea lions often visit too. In the water, snorkeling can be excellent and colorful tropical fish may often be seen.
Tortuga Bay is without a doubt one of the most fabulous beaches that you will find in the Galapagos Islands. Featuring a stunning long stretch of pristine white sand and crystal-clear blue waters, this stretch of coastline is not to be missed. Palo Santo trees, salt bushes and cacti provide a contrasting backdrop and a home for some of the creatures that reside here.
Located on the south side of Santa Cruz Island, this beautiful beach is relatively easy to access from the main town of Puerto Ayora. It takes approximately 30 minutes to walk each way from town. Some cruises may stop here and if they do, the landing is a dry one.
Another breathtakingly beautiful beach in the Galapagos archipelago is Gardner Bay. Gardner Bay stretches for 1.24 miles (almost 2 kilometers) and is a splendid place to relax and unwind for a while.
An astonishing highlight of a visit to Gardner Bay for some will be snorkeling among sea lions. The sea is fairly sheltered and calm making it a great spot for this activity. Sea lion colonies can often be found sunning themselves in this bay and also, cooling off and fishing in the water. They are often playful and like to investigate snorkelers, swimming seemingly right up to a person’s face before darting off at the last minute before a collision!
Other wildlife that visitors may observe here includes the Espanola mockingbird (a fearless creature!), green sea turtles and Darwin’s finches. In the waters, rays can sometimes be seen, as can white-tipped reef sharks and a variety of pretty colorful fish.
Gardner Bay is situated on the northern shore of Espanola Island. Espanola Island is often included on Galapagos Islands cruises, but not always. There is no guarantee that a cruise going to Espanola will stop at this visitor site, so do check before booking if you want to be certain of going here. It is also possible to take a day trip to Gardner Bay from San Cristobal Island – a ride of a bit more than two hours to reach Espanola Island.
This lovely cove is a great place to swim, snorkel or simply relax in the sunshine. The splendid landscape here includes an awe-inspiring combination of pristine white sand, aquamarine waters and black volcanic rock around the bay. Vegetation surrounding the beach includes cacti, low-lying shrubs and small trees. These include palo santo trees and saltbush as well as Galapagos prickly pear cacti. The beach was named “Puerto Chino” due to a hill behind being quite similar looking to a Chinese hat.
During a visit to Puerto Chino beach, as well as being likely to enjoy a very tranquil time, you may also get to observe sea lions, marine iguanas, green turtles and blue footed boobies, among other wildlife.
Puerto Chino Beach can be found on San Cristobal Island, to the far east on the southern side of the island. If visiting San Cristobal on a land-based Galapagos trip and based in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno you can take a taxi to the beach (15 miles / 24 kilometers, journey time 30-45 minutes), and it can be a lovely place to spend a day. There is a short trail to reach the beach from the end of the road. There are no services there, so it is best to bring refreshments and water with you. Puerto Chino is sometimes visited on Galapagos cruises, though not always.
The Red Beach on Rabida Island is far from the classic picture postcard white sand beach you might expect to find on this list of best beaches, but nonetheless it is quite spectacular and well worth a visit. This beach presents fantastic photographic opportunities, typically of lazy sea lion colonies sunbathing and snoozing. The color of the Martian-looking beach is bright red due to the oxidized iron in the volcanic rocks here. This contrasts sharply with the turquoise of the seas and the greenery behind the beach.
As well as sea lions you may also get to sea Darwin’s finches, flamingos, pelicans, marine iguanas, lava lizards, reef sharks, rays, Galapagos penguins, Galapagos hawks, Galapagos doves and even booby species too.
The only way to visit Rabida Island and its unusual Red Beach is on a Galapagos Cruise. Cruises around the central islands regularly make a stop at Rabida Island, but not always, so if this is somewhere you are set on visiting it is better to check the itinerary carefully before making a booking. Please note, Rabida Island is sometimes also known as Jervis Island.
On this beach you may find yourself to be the only visitor, enjoying splendid isolation and tranquility. Its golden sand and crystal blue waters and surrounding mangroves make it very picturesque, great for some beautiful photographs as well as relaxing for a few hours.
There is plenty of wildlife to be seen at Garrapatero Beach. For those willing to head off for a short walk along a trail through the mangroves, flamingos await in a brackish pool/lagoon. It is sometimes also possible to spot black-necked stilts and white-cheeked ducks here. On the beach itself, visitors will find an array of creatures such as the nearly ubiquitous sea lions, pretty Sally Lightfoot crabs and marine iguanas. Birdlife frequently present includes frigatebirds and blue footed boobies.
El Garrapatero Beach is located on the east of Santa Cruz Island. From Puerto Ayora you will need to take a taxi, as it is almost 12 miles (19 kilometers) from town. It is a drive of around 30 minutes. Once you arrive at the beach there is a walk of around 15 minutes or so along a trail to visit the beach, but the walk is pretty. Another option is to take a water taxi from Puerto Ayora. The beach is occasionally visited on Galapagos Islands cruises.
Without a doubt, the Galapagos archipelago is home to some of the most stunning beaches in the world, with the added bonus of the wildlife attractions too. Whichever beaches you visit in the Galapagos Islands you will be sure to enjoy a unique experience in the biodiversity of these amazing islands.
