Tortuga Bay

For a stress-free and rewarding animal-watching experience, visitors to Santa Cruz can have it all at Tortuga Bay Beach. Open from early morning until early evening, it’s easy to fit this iconic locale into any sightseeing schedule. With free admission and three modes of access, it’s also accommodating to any budget. Tortuga Bay Beach is usually included in Galapagos Island cruise packages, so there’s no need to book a separate day trip from Isabela or Santa Cruz to see this essential attraction.

• Before entering the national park, visitors must sign in at a small hut at the trailhead using their passport number. You can leave your actual passport at the hotel.
• Tortuga Bay Beach has no tourist facilities, and visitors will not find shops, cafés, umbrellas, beach chairs, changing rooms, or bathrooms. So be sure to bring your own food, water, sun protection, and other necessities.
• Don’t forget to bring snorkeling equipment (snorkel, mask, and fins), which can be rented at an affordable rate at many travel agencies in Puerto Ayora.
• It’s best to visit the beach first thing in the morning, as it’s unshaded and gets quite hot as the day goes on.

There are a few options to reach Turtle Bay. Economical travelers wishing to stretch their legs can walk to the bay from Puerto Ayora; entry to the flat trail is free and takes up to one hour. It’s also possible to visit the bay by water taxi from the Puerto Ayora docks at a modest price. Many Galapagos cruises include Tortuga Bay Beach, so you may want to double-check the cruise’s itinerary before spending precious time visiting the bay twice.

There truly is no wrong time to visit the Galapagos Islands. While the rainy season is January to April, it isn’t all downpours—visitors will also enjoy warmer sea currents and reduced winds. Heavy rain also results in an increased abundance of plants and animal life. From May to December, visitors can expect higher land temperatures and clearer waters, which are ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving.

There are small supermarkets near the docking station in Santa Cruz and along the main roads leading to the entrance of the Tortuga Bay Beach path. Compared to vendors closer to the park entrance, you’ll find more economical options for snacks, drinks, and some beach essentials here.