Short answer: Tortuga Bay is a walk-in beach on Santa Cruz: the trail from the main street of Puerto Ayora takes about an hour, you sign in at the entrance, and it is open 06:00 to 18:00 every day. The long open beach has strong undercurrents; swim in the calm bay at the far end. No tour is needed.
- IslandSanta Cruz, west of Puerto Ayora
- Open06:00 to 18:00 daily, sign in at the entrance
- WalkAbout 1 hour from the main street
- SwimmingCalm bay only; strong currents on the open beach
What you will see
The trail crosses the arid zone, with cactus and land birds along the way. At the shore there are two beaches: the long one open to the ocean, and a second, calm beach to the north inside the bay. A sheltered mangrove near the bay has juvenile whitetip reef sharks and young rays, which you can watch from a wooden walkway.
Marine iguana
On the sand and the lava at the end of the beach.
Sally Lightfoot crab
On the rocks along the shore.
Whitetip reef shark
Juveniles in the sheltered mangrove, seen from a wooden walkway.
How to get there and what it costs
Walk: the trail starts from the main street in Puerto Ayora and takes about an hour. Sign in at the entrance; the gate is open 06:00 to 18:00 every day. Bring water and sun protection.
Licensed boats also carry passengers between Puerto Ayora and Tortuga Bay. The park sometimes limits access at very high tides, as it did for three days in October 2026.
Best time to visit Tortuga Bay
Tortuga Bay is good all year. Marine iguanas breed from about December to March, when the males colour up.
- Dec to Mar Marine iguana breeding season; males colour upCoasts of all main islands; Española males most colourful
Weather, sea temperature and wildlife for every month: month-by-month guide.
No tour needed
You can visit Tortuga Bay on your own. Trips from Puerto Ayora that fit around it:
Kayaking on Academy Bay
Half-Day Bay Tour with Snorkeling and Las Grietas
Giant Tortoises, Lava Tunnels & Craters Tour
Prices and ratings as listed in November 2026; the price at checkout is what counts. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Disclosure
Compare every day trip on all islands: day-tour finder.
See Tortuga Bay on the 3D map →
Nearby: more visitor sites from Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz island guide · All visitor sites · Itinerary planner · Ferry board
Questions about Tortuga Bay
Can you swim at Tortuga Bay?
Yes, in the calm bay at the far end of the beach. The long beach open to the ocean has strong undercurrents, so only strong swimmers should go in there.
What are the Tortuga Bay opening hours?
06:00 to 18:00 every day, with a sign-in at the entrance. The park occasionally limits access at very high tides.
Do you need a tour for Tortuga Bay?
No. Walk from the main street of Puerto Ayora (about an hour) and sign in at the gate. Licensed boats also run there from town.
Sources:Galápagos National Park and Governing Council, Galápagos Conservancy, Galápagos Conservation Trust. More numbers:facts and figures.
Updated 2026-11-07. Fees, boat times and prices change, so confirm with the operator before you travel.