Black Turtle Cove, Santa Cruz: Galápagos Visitor Site

About the site

Black Turtle Cove

Black Turtle Cove is a mangrove lagoon on the north shore of Santa Cruz, a nursery for many of the creatures of the Galápagos seas. There is no landing: the visit is a quiet panga ride, often with the engine turned off, as the guide paddles or drifts through the channels between the red mangroves.

The calm, shallow water is full of life. Green sea turtles feed and rest in the cove and are sometimes seen mating at the surface. White-tipped and black-tipped reef sharks, many of them young, glide over the sandy bottom, and schools of golden cownose rays and spotted eagle rays pass beneath the boat. Brown pelicans, blue-footed boobies, herons and lava herons hunt along the mangroves.

The visit is usually made early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the light is soft and the animals are active, and it is often the first or last activity of a cruise because of its closeness to Baltra.

It is one of the easiest visits in the islands, suitable for everyone, and a good chance to photograph turtles and rays from above. Speak quietly and keep still in the panga, so as not to disturb the wildlife.

Highlights

Rich Marine Life
Mangrove Forest

Live dates & prices

Cruises that visit Black Turtle Cove

22 yachts include Black Turtle Cove in their routes, with 834 upcoming departures from US$2,345 per person. These are the next ones.

Departure	Yacht	Route	Price per person	Mindo gift	Details
October 2026
6 – 13 Oct8 days / 7 nights	GraceLuxury motor yacht · 16 guests	Following in Darwin's TrailBaltra	US$10,950	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure
8 – 12 Oct5 days / 4 nights	Archipel IMid-range catamaran · 16 guests	A5 · Western IslandsBaltra	US$3,295	Complimentary nightsAll meals & transfers	See departure1 place left
8 – 15 Oct8 days / 7 nights	Archipel IMid-range catamaran · 16 guests	A5B4 · Western/Norther/Central IslandsBaltra	US$5,295	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure1 place left
10 – 17 Oct8 days / 7 nights	EvolutionLuxury cruise ship · 32 guests	Footsteps back in timeSan Cristóbal → Baltra	US$9,950	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure
11 – 15 Oct5 days / 4 nights	Galapagos Sea StarLuxury motor yacht · 16 guests	Central & GenovesaBaltra	US$4,782	+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included	See departure
11 – 15 Oct5 days / 4 nights	Galapagos Sea StarLuxury motor yacht · 16 guests	Itinerary 5BBaltra	US$3,845~~US$4,845~~Save US$1,000	+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included	See departure
11 – 18 Oct8 days / 7 nights	Origin, Theory & EvolveLuxury motor yacht · 20 guests	B · Volcanic WondersSan Cristóbal	US$10,950	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure
11 – 18 Oct8 days / 7 nights	Grand Queen BeatrizFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests	Itinerary BSan Cristóbal → Baltra	US$7,675	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure
11 – 15 Oct5 days / 4 nights	TributeLuxury motor yacht · 16 guests	B · Wildlife DiscoverySan Cristóbal → Baltra	US$6,195	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure
12 – 18 Oct7 days / 6 nights	HermesLuxury catamaran · 20 guests	Itinerary C+DSan Cristóbal → Baltra	US$13,095	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure
13 – 17 Oct5 days / 4 nights	Natural ParadiseLuxury motor yacht · 16 guests	5A · East & CentralSan Cristóbal → Baltra	US$3,645~~US$4,645~~Save US$1,000	+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included	See departure4 places left
13 – 20 Oct8 days / 7 nights	GraceLuxury motor yacht · 16 guests	Beyond Darwin's FootstepsBaltra	US$10,950	★ All-InclusiveWith private guide	See departure