Visitor site · Santa Cruz Island
Tortuga Bay, Santa Cruz: a long white-sand beach 2.5 km on foot from Puerto Ayora, with marine iguanas, nesting sea turtles and a calm mangrove lagoon.
About the site
Tortuga Bay, on the south coast of Santa Cruz, is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galápagos: a long curve of fine white sand, about a kilometer, named after the sea turtles that nest in its dunes. It is reached on foot from Puerto Ayora, along a paved path of 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) through dry forest of tree-sized cacti, about 40 minutes each way. Visitors sign in at the park post at the start, and the site is open from 6:00 to 18:00.
The first beach, Playa Brava, faces the open ocean, with big waves and strong currents: it is for walking and watching the surfers, not for swimming. At its far end, past a lava point, Playa Mansa is a calm lagoon fringed with mangroves, good for swimming and kayaking.
Marine iguanas cross the sand and bask on the rocks, Sally Lightfoot crabs cover the lava, brown pelicans and blue-footed boobies fish offshore, and in the shallow water of Playa Mansa you may see white-tipped reef sharks, rays and sea turtles. Darwin's finches, mockingbirds and lava lizards live along the path.
Few cruises include Tortuga Bay: it is best visited on a free day in Puerto Ayora, before or after the cruise. There are no services on the beach, so bring water and sunscreen.
Live dates & prices
Tortuga Bay is not on our current cruise schedules. These cruises visit other sites on Santa Cruz Island; ask us and we will tell you which routes come closest.
| 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 – 16 Nov5 days / 4 nights |
 La PintaLuxury cruise ship · 48 guests
|
Española, South Plaza & Santa FeBaltra | US$5,388 |
★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departureAvailable |
| 12 – 16 Nov5 days / 4 nights |
 LegendLuxury cruise ship · 100 guests
|
D · Española & FloreanaSan Cristóbal → Baltra | US$2,804 | Complimentary nightsAll meals & transfers | See departureAvailable |
| 12 – 19 Nov8 days / 7 nights |
LegendLuxury cruise ship · 100 guests
|
D+A · Genovesa, Española, Floreana & South PlazaSan Cristóbal → Baltra | US$4,908 | + Mindo PlusActivity tickets included | See departureAvailable |
| 12 – 17 Nov6 days / 5 nights |
 Galaxy SiriusLuxury catamaran · 16 guests
|
C · Genovesa, Bartolomé & North SeymourBaltra → San Cristóbal | US$5,680 |
★ 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 – 15 Nov4 days / 3 nights |
 HermesLuxury catamaran · 20 guests
|
D · Genovesa & SantiagoBaltra | US$7,095 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure1 place left |
Santa Cruz Island
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