Galapagos Beach at Tortuga Bay is a white sand beach with beautiful, iguanas and pelicans. The beach is located in an area of mangroves and salt flats, making it an excellent place for snorkelling, swimming, and sunbathing.
Amazing watching the big iguanas walking along the beach or swimming in the sea is a experience.
We walked to the beach and then got the ferry back.
Jens Peter Olesen — Google review
An amazing beach at the end of a torturous walk in crazy heat! The first main beach is incredible with fine white sand, iguanas, and beautiful waves. The walk to get there is very interesting but make sure you take water and hopefully you're in good shape. The 2nd beach is like a swimming pool. Warm water,no works, and no waves. Very peaceful, fair amount of people. We went with a group of older people so we had to take the boat back, which was a great solution.
Tick — Google review
Great walk from town to this soft sand beach with lots of marine iguanas. However, this beach is not for swimming. Keep walking, and around the corner is another beach that is for swimming. Visibility is horrendous, so don’t bother snorkeling. But there are a lot of birds, Iguana’s, and most importantly you can take a water taxi back to town for $10 a person.
Rhett Broderick — Google review
So Santa Cruz was our last island and so this beach didn’t seem as cool compared to some of the others on Isabela or San Cristobal. I will say it’s very clean and vast but I didn’t see too much wildlife compared to the other beaches. It’s a nice hike in and definitely worth the visit for the island.
Spencer Q — Google review
It's about a 35-40 minute walk. We enjoyed the beach here. We got to see baby hammerhead sharks, iguanas, some fish, and birds. The water was clear and not too cold. The sand was fine and very soft. We also enjoyed kayaking and got to see some rays and baby sharks. Definitely worth a stop if you are in Santa Cruz!
Yoopadee Wongsuptawee — Google review
Fabulous beach - according to Conde Nest one of the top ten beaches in the world. A great walk from the main port - bring water. The walk from the ranger station to the beach is paved the entire way. (See pictures). Tortuga Bay is actually two beaches - a “rougher” water beach and the calm side. We walked to the first beach - considered the rougher one and it was beautiful and on this Sunday afternoon had very few people on the beach. The white sand is remarkable. Had we walked further we would have reached the calmer beach - which our traveling companions lamented was “packed”. Wall to wall people. We were happy for the semi-isolated beach we enjoyed. An easy walk from town- will take about 45 minutes.
Ann Boehm — Google review
Lovely place to spot marine iguanas and some wild life! Easy walk from the city and it was free!! Please beware that the park closes at 16:30.
Virginia L — Google review
Nice walk from Puerto Ayora. Unfortunately it started pouring before I got there so didn't get much exploration done. Looked very pretty though. Make sure you pay attention to the flags of you are going here to swim. The currents are very strong. In fact a person drowned a few days before because they went swimming when it was a red flag. I left my hotel at 645 to walk down there and there were only a few other people on the trail, mostly runners. It was about 2.6km from my hotel which is about 5 mins past the main dock. Definitely worth checking out if you are in the area with some free time. The water taxis from the dock will take you as well and save you a one way walk if you choose.
Manuel Zurita — Google review
Very beautiful place. Not great for spotting wild life / marine life but we did see small sharks, marine iguanas and a sea lion. The views are great and the water warm, as advertised :)
Irina Herteliu — Google review
Tortuga Bay lies at the end of a half hour walk along a paved pathway through interesting landscapes. It has a stunning white sand beach, with the finest almost powder like sand I've seen. The beautiful different blues of the water are incredible, changing like a gradient as the water deepens. We weren't allowed to swim at Tortuga Bay due to dangerous water conditions, but it was still stunning to see, and at the other end of the bay was a natural pool where marine iguanas sunbath next to mangroves. Just past that is another smaller beach which was lovely to swim at with some shade under the small trees by the beach. We saw a baby hammerhead shark swimming for hours in the shallows there. There was kayak hire at the other end of the small beach. Other tourists seemed to come by boat from town and land in this small bay too.
Blair NZ — Google review
It was really cold. You better rent a wetsuit at the time of this year. If you want to see sharks, just go to the end of the beach and you don't even need snorkeling gear. They are swimming/resting in knee deep area almost.
Ozgur Rugzo — Google review
Most beautiful beach in all of the Galapagos! Free entrance but it’s about a 40 minute walk from the road to the beach and it is hot!! Bring water, food, and sunscreen because there is no one selling it once you’re there. They do have sea turtles if you swim further into the ocean/ we saw two! Water Taxi is $10 one way if you prefer that (much easier and it will save you almost 2 hours).
Tedora Designs LLC — Google review
Breathtaking white sand beach full of wildlife. Bring a snorkel and check out the creatures that live in the lagoon.
Charlie Utzman — Google review
About a 40-minute walk from town through a forest of cacti and Palo Santa trees. Really beautiful nature walk, but LOTS of water, sunscreen, and a hat are a MUST, as there's almost no shade, and it's very hot.
The expansive first beach you arrive at is gorgeous. Keep walking to the right and you'll see lots of iguanas and pelicans.
Just a few minutes past that area, you'll come to a really nice, calm swimming area in a bay. There are some trees for shade to put your towel under, and posts with hooks to hang your things.
Some snorkeling can be done here as well, although I didn't. Mostly kids were snorkeling, so I'm not sure there was a ton to see.
It's a really nice relaxing area to swim. You can take the water taxi back to town for $10, but the last one is at 5pm, and you need to ask around and find the person wandering the beach to book it. Great way to spend an afternoon, or morning.
Janice Quade — Google review
Beautiful beach, but you cannot swim due to strong currents. There is another beach nearby, where you can swim. The water is not clear sue to Sand, so you can skip snorkeling.
Herwig Rehatschek — Google review
Beautiful bay. Bring your own snorkel and equipment because i couldn’t see anywhere to rent. Saw baby hammerhead in the water. Lots of iguanas
Stella Ulm — Google review
beautiful beach. clean and an abundance of iguanas. not for swimming however due to strong undertow. surfers were getting g some short rides. walk about a mile or so to a smaller beach more like a lagoon where water is calm.
debra colavecchio — Google review
Beautiful beach, about 40 minute walk from the entrance. Worth a stop here to relax and enjoy.
So I went there first time on a Sunday… way more crowded. Went back on Monday and it was way better in terms of crowds. The beach in the cove is beautiful and relaxing.
Ken Zwirko — Google review
This is the best beach in the area period if you want to see a breathtaking place this is the one. I was so shocked when I got here. there is two sides to this place playa brava wich have very strong tides snd it is not recommended to swim here and the other side is playa mansa wich is perfect for swimming, snorkeling and kayak in this side there is boats incoming every couple hours that you can reserve for 10 dollars to come back to the dock you can walk too but is a 7km round walk.
marcela pena — Google review
Get ready to walk 2.5 Km from the main entrance to the beach (around 30 to 45 mins). Wearing sneakers and then switching to sandals is the way to go, bring some bottles of water and lots of sunscreen. Bringing your own snorkel equipment along with your goPro is the way to go so you can enjoy the marine life there, beach is quite shallow and you can swim inside the permitted area with no issues or renting the kayak.
David Vallejo — Google review
This is a free beach to visit in the Galápagos. You'll have to walk here from Puerto Ayora or take a water taxi to a neighboring beach and walk a little bit backwards. Walking here from town takes maybe 50 minutes. There's a check in booth near the trailhead just past the energy center. You'll find restrooms there, but even that's still a 30 minute walk to the beach. It's a beautiful area. The sand is extremely fine and perfectly white. Iguanas are everywhere. Turtles sometimes use this beach for laying eggs as their nests are marked. Be careful with the tide as it swings fast. I'd visit again any time.
Michael Barton — Google review
My favorite and most beautiful beach during my visit to Galapagos Islands. You will see iguanas, friendly sharks and a lot of fish to see under water..We did the hike and it's not difficult but it is somewhat challenging due to the heat. There were 1-2 ppl on my way back sitting catching their breath. They were of an older age. I gave one my water as she was red as a tomato, so make sure to bring at least 1 bottle of water per person. My wife and I did the hike and it was approximately 45 mins one way. They do say there is a boat that can take you back for $10 a person but I never saw that boat.
IG: love_to_exist
Rancho Primicias- Giant Tortoise Reserve is a fantastic place to explore and see Galapagos tortoises. The entry fee costs $10 per person, and it's recommended to tip the guide. A passport is needed for a memory stamp, but it's not mandatory. There are souvenirs for purchase and fresh coffee available at the site. You can take pictures with giant tortoise shells or crawl under them.
Beautiful place with lush green nature. Drive to the ranch was stunning. Plenty of land tortoises both big and small. Highly recommend visiting this place. There is also a well preserved lava tunnel that you can go inside!
Dilafruz Sultanova — Google review
This was a very cool place to see tortoises up close. You put on boots and you wander around their property. There are tortoises everywhere. There also was a lava tube that was pretty cool to walk through. There is a place to get snacks and a restaurant. They sell some souvenirs. And you can take pictures inside of a turtle shell. Overall, very much worth the visit.
Jim C — Google review
One of the top Tourist attraction in Santa Cruz, Galápagos Islands. Tickets at the ticket booth about $10 per person and taxi ride from hotel and back to town and back to hotel costs about $60. We went on a week day and many tourists and tour buses were there. Our wait was only 7-10 mins. They have tea, coffee and water for a tip. And can buy drinks and snacks from their small snack bar.
It was a little too touristy for us. The guide was very quick and wanted to get done with the tour and move on. No additional details or stories were shared, like we wanted know how this ranch came into existence or no fun facts shared! Just a plain experience.
Overall the main star of the show are the giant tortoises and they played their part so well! We were able to take pictures with them easy and keeping a distance. There are many tortoises in the wild out there. Some are huge in size!
They also have small lava tunnels which again were not impressive for us also as we went to a huge 1 km long Lava Tunnel in our hotel (Hilton Royal Palm, Galapagos) so these small tunnels were not impressive after the tour of the huge 1 km long lava tunnel at Hilton’s property (where we stayed) I believe they donot allow visitors or tourist who are not hotel guests.
Surprisingly, after coming out of the tunnel at Hilton a giant tortoise also was also waiting out near the tunnels exit for us! So our trip to the reserve wasn’t much interesting as we got to experience all in our hotel’s property. Recommending this trip if you want to explore tortoises in the wild. Bring a sunscreen. They provide gum boots as ground is muddy.
Tina G — Google review
Great place to walk around with the Galapagos tortoises! Entry is $10 per person (and remember to tip your guide). Don't forget to bring your passport if you would like a stamp for the memory (not required if you'd rather leave it behind). They have a nice little area with some souvenirs and coffee for purchase, giant tortoise shells you can crawl under and take pictures with and fresh brewed coffee. They lend you boots to walk straight into the grounds with the tortoises accompanied by the naturalist guide. You'll also get to walk through a lava tunnel which is cool. Definitely recommend stopping here during your trip!
Lisa Clark — Google review
Went here after having visited a tortoise breeding centre. This was by far the more rewarding experience. Whereas the breeding centres are great for seeing lots of young tortoises and a limited number of giant tortoises in enclosures, here we were able to see far more of the real giants wandering about freely in the fields. We were fortunate enough to visit on a rainy day which meant the tortoises were particularly active. It was extremely wet and very muddy, but the ranch provides wellington boots as standard and were kind enough to lend us ponchos. The restaurant was also pretty reasonable.
David Ellington — Google review
El Chato is amazing. You must have a guide. We went as part of our cruise package so I don't know how tickets and guides work.
You will learn a lot about the Giant Tortoises and see them in their natural habitat. There is also a lava tube that is part of the tour. It's very cool, but the tortoises are everything I imagined and more.
Sarah Tobias — Google review
We decided on a last minute visit to this Rancho before heading back to Quito. The installations are great and provide food and coffee and there’s enough staff for groups and last-minute visitors like us. They are kid friendly and they make sure you are not bothering the turtles while you visit. We didn’t do the lava tunnels. I will definitely come back!
Vicky R — Google review
It was unforgettable experience for our family. Giant tortoises are same as I learned in textbook when I was students.
Our guide explained their details politely.
Galapagos guides respect all nature and lives.
Papipu penta — Google review
My wife and I took a taxi to Rancho Primicias and had a wonderful time. We stopped by the lava tunnels first and saw some of the owls. Then we got a tour of the ranch from the guide Juan. He was super funny, knowledgeable, and always willing to answer our questions. It cost $5 a person to enter and another $5 for each group to pay for the guide. It's required to have a guide but it's completely worth it. Especially to learn more about these amazing animals.
Ben Atha — Google review
Beautiful ranch with many gigantic turtles, I highly recommend to simply arrive here independently, the entrance is only $10 and includes a guided tour, but the tours from Puerto Ayora charge you $60+ and you can easily arrive with a bus or taxi. The ranch also offers a Lava Tunnel walk through that was spectacular in my opinion.
It's a great couple of hours.
Emanuell Harnik — Google review
Really great place to see tortoises freely roaming the grounds. Everyone was respectful to them. A good chance to see other wildlife like birds and ducks. They had a beautiful restaurant with great woodwork. It was very fitting for the environment. The gift shop had some of the best prices for common items you find everywhere that we came across.
Katherine Kistenmacher — Google review
This place is great and it's so much better to see the giant tortoises roam freely here than to see them in the tiny dusty dry pens of the various breeding centres on the different Galapagos Islands.
Here, they are truly free to roam where they want to. They are free to come and go as they please and you can see that it's better for them, because there are much bigger tortoises here than anywhere else.
It costs $10 to enter and this includes a guided tour of the ranch and the nearby lava tunnels... and a free cup of tea or coffee at the end. You also get use of a pair of rubber boots, which come on very useful, as it's often wet and muddy here.
The guide was very knowledgeable and gives lots of interesting facts about the tortoises and he seemed to have some kind of relationship with the biggest tortoise there. He signalled to this tortoise, by waving his hand in an upward motion and unbelievably, this enormous tortoise stood up for him. Incredible.
The lava tunnels were a bit of a disappointment though, but I didn't come to see them, so it wasn't so bad. Just don't expect much from them and you won't be too disappointed.
Hidden Findings — Google review
A beautiful reserve for these wonderful animals. They have so much beautiful space and resources. The free coffee and tea was very nice!
Tasha L — Google review
Very nice experience. Took lots of pictures of the tortoises. There were plenty of huge males that we had to walk around.
The biggest problem is that once you pay the $10 for the guide, they want to charge you for everything else (wifi is $2). (coffee and tea are included)
Jordan Thompson — Google review
Awesome experience with giant tortoise. Ranchi will provide you boots, very good lunch is available after the tour
Gevork Dzhanibekyan — Google review
I loved this place. When we visited, the students got to plant trees, and we saw so many giant tortoises just wandering around it was kind of surreal! We also got a good meal and drinks from the restaurant on the grounds!
Jason Brown — Google review
You need to see this place! You can find a huge turtles 🐢 also organic coffee is for free … entrance 10 $ if it’s raining they have umbrellas for 2 $ and rubber shoes.
This nature reserve has a large area to explore, with plenty of wildlife to be seen. Giant tortoises are among the most impressive creatures here, able to extend their necks to feed. Other wildlife includes short-eared owls,Darwins finches, yellow warblers, Galapagos rails and paint-billed crakes.
Super ranch to visit! amazing coffeeeee and nice walk! This one is easier for kinds and elderly people! Must see if in Santa Cruz.
Valeria Franco — Google review
they couldn´t be less interested in showing us the tortoises. We had to wait over 30 min for a tour to start. The whole tour was 10 min tops and we only saw 5 of them. The guide run through everything as fast as possible. The lava tunnel are short pieces. Wouldn´t go to this farm, there are 2 more arounds.
Manuel Maier — Google review
This is a nature preserve for the giant tortoises on Santa Cruz. The turtles are considered wild as they come and go as they please. The number of turtles here varies by season so you might only see ten or you might see a few dozen! Boots are provided for hiking the site as it gets muddy very quickly. The cost to enter is $10, water cost $1 to fill a bottle and is very cold, and free tea and coffee is provided. There's a restaurant with reasonable prices and also free restrooms. The tour takes maybe an hour tops and includes three laval tubes, and then you're free to roam the park alone. It's absolutely worth a visit.
Consider taking the blue local bus here from town for only $1 each way. You can even take your bike and return on the bike. The bus picks up across the street from the Municipal Market. It'll save you lots of money instead of taking a tour, plus you can visit as long as you'd like.
Michael Barton — Google review
Everyone should visit this place full of wild Giant Galapagos Tortoises
Enio Martillo — Google review
It was cool to see these giant tortoises, and the setting is different than the rest of the islands we saw. The bathrooms were clean, and they had refreshments and food for purchase. I like that they provided boots for us to wear because it can get so wet and muddy. There was a lava cave which was cool to see. It was probably our least favorite excursion though.
Christina Huynh — Google review
We had a few hours between ferries going from San Cristobal to Isabela. This was the perfect excursion to fill that time instead of hanging around in town. $40 cab ride, and the driver waited to take us back when we were done. You get to see the Giant Tortoises up close and in their natural environment along with the lava tubes.
Byodeon — Google review
There is a $10 entrance fee to this ranch and you can get a short guided tour of the property. It takes about 10-20 minutes to see a few giant tortoises roaming the ranch and take a look at the lava tunnels and walk thru those.
There is a cafe with a few items there though I didn't buy anything. Open space. Worth a visit on your taxi trip from the port to the channel for trip to Baltra airport. Otherwise may not be all that great as you can't really walk there (biking may be possible but strenous).
Gaurav Aggarwal — Google review
Beautiful place to see the turtles of the island
Gabriel Wolters — Google review
A novel experience walking alongside the giant tortoises here! The fee is 10 dollars per person for a guided tour, which includes a walk around the ranch looking for the tortoises as well as exploring the lava tunnels. Take a head torch if you want to go through the unlit section of the tunnels :) Gumboots are provided - take your own socks if you are wearing open shoes the day you visit, otherwise you'll have to purchase socks there. There is a restaurant, souvenir shop and bathrooms, as well as some tortoise shells to climb inside and understand their enormity!
We hailed and shared a taxi between 4 people from Puerto Ayora for 45 dollars - the driver first took us to 'Los Gemelos' and waited for us whilst we did the 15 minute walk through the forest to look at the two sinkholes, and then took us to El Chato and again waited for us in order to drive us back. An awesome afternoon :)
Lauren van Noort — Google review
Great place to see giant tortoises in Santa Cruz. We visited the place as a group and had our own guide. Rubber boots were provided. Short walk 30-40 minutes to see the huge turtles and the lava tunnel. Decent lunch was included. Impressive giant tortoises.
Harry Zheng — Google review
This ranch is a private place where they charge the entrance to go see the turtles and go through the lava natural formation tunnels as well as a coffee shop. this place was really good they provide you with a tour guy so you can ask them a lot of questions about the place and all of the things that they have to offer.
marcela pena — Google review
A perfect place to meet the wonderful Galapagos giant tortoises in their almost natural habitat. Around 45 minutes by cab from Puerto Villamil (20 $ per person). Guided tour of the ranch (7.50 $; with rental fee for rubber boots). Restaurant and toilets available.
Thorsten Mundi — Google review
El Chato is a natural reserve in Santa Cruz, Equador, where you can observe the giant turtles Chelonoidis porteri and also dozens of bird species. There are impressive volcanic formations where you can walk under the earth through long caves where lava once flowed, leaving behind a hollow tunnel through the volcanic rock above. The food is good and they have some great beers as well!
Marc Cooper — Google review
Joined a tour with an air con bus at $50. Save $10 entrance fee. As taxi cost the same. Visited a tunnel before and after visited the twin holes that were due to volcano activities before.
April Lam — Google review
Best day on Santa Cruz!
We took the rental bikes by bus to Santa Rosa (1$) and drove the last kilometers to El Chato Ranch with the bikes.
Already on the way you get past many giant Tortugas. You have to pay $7.50 per person on the entrance. This includes borrowing rubber boots and a very good and detailed guide at the ranch.
Our guide was Juan and he was great!! He took a lot of time and told many details about the animals as well as the Galápagos Islands in generell. The animals and their behavior are really fascinating and have completely captivated us.
After the tour we ate in the restaurant - very very good, even if it is a little more expensive than in Puerto Ayora, it was totally worth it! The empanadas were really great! In addition, you still have very very fast Internet and can pay by credit card in the restaurant.
Over all, highly recommended!!! Really a must do on the Galapagos Islands!
Maximilian Körner — Google review
Short guided visit but you can explore as long as you want the ranch.
Playa El Garrapatero is a secluded beach surrounded by trees with ample space for swimming and sunbathing. Located just a short car or taxi ride from Puerto Ayora, it offers camping amenities for visitors and the option to rent kayaks at the on-site camping site. Despite its peaceful atmosphere, there are no facilities nearby, so visitors should ensure they bring all necessary essentials with them.
One of the nicest beach we saw on the island. Not much crowd, mostly locals. Don’t expect to see a lot of wildlife.
Marine PROUST — Google review
It's a lovely place. It's quite and calm. However, there are no amenities in the surroundings so make sure you're bringing the essential with you.
Rodrigo Carpio — Google review
a lovely beach designed for swimming. no facilities at all. perfect for a dip after riding from Puerto Ayora!
debra colavecchio — Google review
Awesome beach with almost no other people.
Many rocks in shallow water. Only on the very left side it is easy to go in.
Often big and agressive horseflies.
Markus B. — Google review
Beautiful place, amazing kayaking. Make sure to bring food, water and mosquito repellent.
AB Alvarez — Google review
Absolutely beautiful beach.
Anne Cayer — Google review
Gorgeous and peaceful beach. Bring water & sunscreen. If you ride a scooter here a jacket is a lifesaver, the route is often chilly/damp through Bellavista.
juliette boyce — Google review
Feeling restless on my last day in Puerto Ayora, I walked and walked from Mainao Hotel to Tortuga Bay Beach, enjoying the outdoor beauty.
A white Pickup Truck/Taxi caught my attention on my way back to Charles Darwin Avenue. I inquired about the taxi fee to the airport for the following morning. We agreed on the fee $25.00, then he offered to drive me to Playa El Garrapatero, wait for me and return me to Mainao for $50.00. I explained that I did not have the $50.00 with me.
He took a chance on me, while he drove we amicably communicated.
Playa El Garrapatero is peaceful; it has a camping area, kayaks for rent and a pond where flamingos gather.
Once, the driver returned me to the Mainao Hotel, he waited for me to return with his earned $ 50.00.
The following morning, he drove me to the airport ( Santa Cruz Ferry Terminal )
Vhuntermassage LLC
Veronica Hunter — Google review
Fantastic beach in Eastern Santa Cruz, Galápagos.
We arrived there by taxi, normally 40 USD for a two way trip but able to get a better price after negotiation. Remember to pay after the return trip just to make sure you are picked up at the agreed time (it can be difficult to find a one way taxi from the beach in the evening).
Idilic spot with plenty of sun and warm, turquoise sea water. Remember to bring plenty of sunscreen! We were lucky and found one of the few shades under a manzanillo tree.
Horse flies might be a problem, particularly if you get closer to the mangles. We were told to bring mosquitoes repelent but fortunately they didn't bother.
Álvaro Roldán — Google review
I love this beach.
It is more peaceful than the other beaches. There are fewer people here, maybe because it is further away from town.
There is a shaded area and barbecues.
You also have to sign in at this beach.
It is perfect for kayaking.
Kitty — Google review
A short taxi or car ride from Puerto Ayora is Garrapatero beach. Very nice and clean, with camping amenities for visitors. You can rent a kayak at the camping site.
Manuel Maniquis — Google review
Beautiful beach with some shade available. We enjoyed it on our last day in Santa Cruz! The ocean is shallow and great for swimming. The water is warm and has a turquoise color. Unfortunately there are horseflies! A natural bug repellent we had did not help much 🙁. Nevertheless we loved the beach even more than Tortuga Bay. The taxi was $40 to go both ways. It was worth it!