Everyone likes a good beach on their vacation, and the Galapagos Islands are home to many very fine beaches. Some of the best beaches to visit in Galapagos are, as you might expect, only accessible if you take a Galapagos cruise. Yet some may also be accessed from land-based Galapagos options, and some you can even walk to from town! The very best beaches in the Galapagos are those that are both stunning to look at and teeming with wildlife – both in the water for observing while snorkeling, and on the land. While there are a lot of Galapagos beaches that are very special, only a few can be the “best”. Here are our Ecuador and Galapagos Insiders best Galapagos beaches.
One of the best beaches in the Galapagos has to be Bartolome Island beach. This is one of the best beaches to visit in Galapagos, and many of the cruises stop here – and with good reason. The beach boasts a spectacular array of wildlife, as well as being scenically very pleasing. Hiking up to the island’s summit will afford you great views of the beach, and the island in general. One of the factors that makes this beach one of the best Galapagos beaches is the fact that if you are lucky you may get to swim with sea lions here. The playful females and pups will tease you while you are snorkeling, swimming up to your face, and ducking away at the very last moment. This is a once in a lifetime experience for many.
Tortuga Bay must surely be one of the best beaches to visit in Galapagos. It is classically good looking and delivers everything you might expect of a superb beach. With its long stretch of white coral sand, it is set in a natural bay which shelters it nicely. This means that it offers great opportunities for snorkeling off the beach. You might get to see a range of underwater treats, including sea lions and sea turtles. It is an especially good beach to visit during turtle nesting time. The local bird life also enjoys this picturesque beach, and you might get to see pelicans and even flamingos. It is very accessible, and just a half hour walk from the town of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island.
If it is a classic, white sand, tropical beach that you seek, the beach at Gardner Bay on Espanola Island is one you might not want to miss. You can expect to share the beach with a large colony of sea lions, who enjoy lazing around in the sun as much as the people do. Other wildlife you can enjoy from this stunning beach might include Sally Lightfoot crabs, marine iguanas, Galapagos hawks and mockingbirds. This beach also offers super opportunities for snorkeling, and you can expect to enjoy a very wide array of pretty fish, easily visible, thanks to the crystal-clear waters off this delightful beach. This is without a doubt one of the best beaches in the Galapagos Islands, and many believe it to be the prettiest.