Bachas Beach, Santa Cruz: Galápagos Visitor Site & Cruises

About the site

Bachas Beach

Bachas Beach, on the north shore of Santa Cruz, is a wide beach of soft white sand and one of the most important nesting sites in the Galápagos for the Pacific green sea turtle. Its name comes from the Second World War: when the United States left its base on nearby Baltra, two barges were abandoned here, and the local pronunciation of 'barges' became Bachas. Their rusted remains can still be seen in the sand.

The visit begins with a wet landing on the beach. Behind the dunes lie small brackish lagoons where flamingos, stilts and other shorebirds feed, and Sally Lightfoot crabs and marine iguanas move over the black rocks at each end of the beach. In the nesting season, roughly from December to May, you can see the tracks of the turtles that came ashore during the night; their nests must never be disturbed.

The calm water is good for swimming and snorkeling, with sea turtles, rays and small reef fish close to the shore.

The visit is easy and relaxed, ideal on the first or last day of a cruise because of its closeness to Baltra. There is no shade, so bring sunscreen, a hat and water.

Highlights

World War II Remnants
Green Turtle Nesting Beach

Live dates & prices

Cruises that visit Bachas Beach

33 yachts include Bachas Beach in their routes, with 1,811 upcoming departures from US$1,398 per person. These are the next ones.

Departure	Yacht	Route	Price per person	Mindo gift	Details
November 2026
11 – 15 Nov5 days / 4 nights	Grand Queen BeatrizFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests	B · Santiago, North Seymour & RábidaBaltra	US$2,842	Complimentary nightsAll meals & transfers	See departure1 place left
11 – 18 Nov8 days / 7 nights	Grand Queen BeatrizFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests	D · Isabela, Floreana, Santiago & North SeymourBaltra	US$7,675	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure1 place left
12 – 17 Nov6 days / 5 nights	Galaxy SiriusLuxury catamaran · 16 guests	C · Genovesa, Bartolomé & North SeymourBaltra → San Cristóbal	US$5,680~~US$7,100~~Save US$1,420	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure4 places left
12 – 18 Nov7 days / 6 nights	TributeLuxury motor yacht · 16 guests	C · Fernandina, Isabela & BartoloméBaltra	US$8,795	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure4 places left
12 – 19 Nov8 days / 7 nights	HermesLuxury catamaran · 20 guests	D+A · Genovesa, Fernandina, Isabela & North SeymourBaltra	US$14,495	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure1 place left
13 – 19 Nov7 days / 6 nights	IsabelaLuxury cruise ship · 40 guests	Española, Fernandina & IsabelaBaltra	US$5,523~~US$6,137~~Save US$614	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departureAvailable
14 – 18 Nov5 days / 4 nights	BonitaMid-range motor yacht · 16 guests	B · Española, Floreana & San CristóbalBaltra	US$2,465~~US$2,900~~Save US$435	Complimentary nightsAll meals & transfers	See departure2 places left
14 – 21 Nov8 days / 7 nights	EvolutionLuxury cruise ship · 32 guests	Española, Fernandina, Isabela & BartoloméBaltra → San Cristóbal	US$10,950	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure1 place left
15 – 22 Nov8 days / 7 nights	Coral I & IIFirst Class motor yacht · 36 guests	A+B · Genovesa, Fernandina, Isabela & BartoloméBaltra	US$4,908	+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included	See departureAvailable
15 – 19 Nov5 days / 4 nights	HermesLuxury catamaran · 20 guests	A · Fernandina, Isabela & North SeymourBaltra	US$9,250	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departureAvailable
16 – 23 Nov8 days / 7 nights	LegendLuxury cruise ship · 100 guests	A+B · Genovesa, Fernandina, Isabela & SantiagoBaltra	US$5,229~~US$5,576~~Save US$347	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departureAvailable
18 – 25 Nov8 days / 7 nights	Coral I & IIFirst Class motor yacht · 36 guests	B+C · Fernandina, Isabela, Santiago & North SeymourBaltra → San Cristóbal	US$4,908	+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included	See departureAvailable