While the Galapagos Islands are famous for their exciting wildlife, they are also home to some of the most incredible beaches in the world. With clear turquoise waters and white sand beaches, along with secluded coves and a red sand beach, these little havens make an incredible destination for a tropical getaway. 

A chain of tropical islands in the eastern Pacific Ocean, the Galapagos Islands lie 1000km off of the Ecuadorian Coast in South America. Famously, Charles Darwin spent five weeks on the islands in 1835 whilst onboard the HMS Beagle and the wildlife that he saw here is said to have inspired his influential book, The Theory of Evolution.

If you’re planning a beach holiday to the Galapagos Islands and want to know which parts of the coast are best to visit, check out our list of the 9 Best Beaches in the Galapagos Islands.   

1. Tortuga Bay, Santa Cruz

Tortuga Bay is undoubtedly one of the nicest beaches in the world. The 30-minute walk from Puerto Ayora to this stunning piece of coastline is an exciting one, passing through lava rock, flora and lots of lava lizards.

There are actually two beaches at this amazing bay, both of which are strikingly beautiful. At the western side lies Playa Mansa, meaning ‘calm beach’, a little lagoon with sheltering rock formations that give the water the peaceful nature after which it is named.

The other beach is known as Playa Brava and is the larger of the two, with much stronger currents; its name translates to ‘angry beach’ in English. Despite its name, you will feel nothing relaxed on the immaculate white sand and bright blue waters of this idyllic paradise.

Be sure to pack a picnic and plenty of water for the day, as these quiet beaches are free of facilities like cafes and restaurants, allowing you to escape and fully immerse yourself in the peaceful charm of your surroundings.

2. Red Sand Beach, Rabida Island

The high concentration of iron content in the volcanic rock on this Galapagos Island causes it to rust when exposed to the water and oxygen in the air, turning the beaches, cliffs and soil a striking red colour. A surreal geologic site to see and the perfect backdrop for some photos, Red Sand Beach is not to be missed.

An incredible spot for snorkeling, the water near the beach is home to plenty of reef fish that add even more colour to an already vibrant site. You can also expect to see sea lions sunning themselves on the sand, along with brown pelicans, flamingos and Darwin finches. 

Not far from the island of Santiago, Rabida Island can only be accessed as part of a boat trip, so be sure to pre-plan your visit. To appreciate the remarkable surroundings at their fullest, it might be worth considering visiting the island during January - April, when the contrast between the red sand and the island’s luscious, green mangroves is at its sharpest.

3. Gardner Bay, Espanola Island 

Located to the North of Espanola Island, Gardner Bay was voted as one of the top 20 beaches in the world by CNN in 2016. Being located on an uninhabited island, the only way to get to Gardner Bay is through a cruise or on a day trip from San Cristobal Island, meaning that this is a spot where you can enjoy a real deserted island experience.

With bright white sand and tropical palm trees, the beach’s coastline forms a stunning oasis. Free of restaurants and shops, visitors get the chance to truly escape, but you’ll have to remember to bring all of the necessities needed for you to enjoy the island safely, such as water and sun cream. 

A popular destination among snorkelers, Gardner Bay’s beautiful blue waters are thriving with exciting creatures such as manta rays, parrotfish and sea turtles. However, you will be equally impressed by the land residents, with albatrosses, blue-footed boobies and even red marine iguanas found on the shore.

4. Playa Punta Carola, San Cristóbal

Located close to Cerro Tijeretas, Punta Carola offers the perfect place for enjoying a day in the sun. Being west-facing, this beach showcases some stunning sunsets, so be sure to visit at dusk to not miss this delightful opportunity to catch the sky at its best from one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world.

The secluded location of this crescent-shaped coastline creates a romantic setting that has earned Playa Punta Carola the nickname of Lovers Beach. And if the sunset photo opportunities weren’t promising enough, there is also a lighthouse located on the beach, which makes an incredible backdrop for pictures.

One of the most popular beaches in San Cristobal, Playa Punta Carola’s pristine sand and exciting array of wildlife makes it a favourite amongst all kinds of travellers. Being renowned for its waves, this beach is also a great spot for experienced surfers to get out and enjoy the waves.

5. Playa Dorada, Bartolomé Island Beach

Bartolome Island Beach is easily one of the most amazing in the Galapagos and is widely thought to offer the most stunning landscape in the entire archipelago. In fact, the island itself was named the most beautiful in the world by CNN in 2019.

Along with flawless blue waters, Playa Dorada has a moon-like terrain and is set in a small cove by an incredible lava rock that sits out over the water known as Pinnacle Rock. Along with the classic options of sunbathing on golden sands and investigating the amazing marine life, there is also an amazing opportunity to take a hike to a lookout platform at the top of the island. 

With the breathtaking views from the summit being nothing short of spectacular, this trek is definitely worth embarking on when visiting the island. You are also free to explore turquoise waters where you can swim alongside penguins, sea turtles and colourful schools of tropical fish. 

6. Puerto Chino Beach, San Cristóbal

Frequently overlooked by tourists, Puerto Chino is one of the quietest islands in the Galapagos and offers a chance for visitors to enjoy the incredible sights of nature in peace. Unlike some of the other beaches in the archipelago, Puerto Chino is also free to access and easy to access, being a mere 40-minute car ride from the city centre.

A remarkable slice of paradise, this beach is very secluded and offers the classic white sands and bright blue waters that the islands are famous for. Without any facilities, there is a great opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and completely unwind in heavenly surroundings. 

Along with being a fabulous place for snorkelling and surfing, you can also take a short hike up the cliff on the island and catch some incredible views of the landscape. To avoid any disasters, make sure you pre-plan your journey home from the beach as there is limited phone signal in the area, making it very difficult to organise any transportation once you’re there.

7. Puerto Villamil, Isabela Puerto

Situated in front of the little portside town of the same name, Puerto Villamil beach is another spot of heavenly coastline with fine, golden sand and placid blue waters. Home to a small colony of marine iguanas as well as other creatures like flamingos and giant tortoises, this part of the Galapagos has an amazing array of wildlife waiting for you to explore. 

The first segment of the beach boasts a huge selection of hotels, bars and hammocks where you can relax and let your hair down. Offering the best of both worlds, walking further down the coast is sure to bring you to quiet spots where you can enjoy some peaceful tranquillity.

Following the wooden boardwalk at the southwest of Puerto Villamil town will lead you to the Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Centre. Only a short walk from the beach, a visit to this centre is sure to be fascinating and will teach you how the organisation protects the island’s five species of tortoises that are under threat due to habitat damage caused by volcanic eruptions and introduced animals.

8. Las Bachas, Santa Cruz

Situated at the northern end of Santa Cruz Island, Las Bachas beach is a stunning piece of coastline with flawless white sand and crystal clear waters.  This is a perfect spot for snorkelling as well as for spotting an exciting variety of wildlife including flamingos and sharks.

The beach is brimming with history, with its name coming from the remains of the wrecked World War II U.S. military barges that were found here. The rusty parts of the ships can still be seen jutting out of the fine white sand, so it’s a great spot for history fans who also want to spend some quality time at the beach.

Whether you choose to explore the waters or stick to soaking up some vitamin D from the comfort of the sand, be sure to keep an eye out for the sally lightfoot crabs that frequent the shore. These little scavengers are a remarkable sight to see with shells that are fascinating blends of bright, vibrant colours.

9. La Lobería, San Cristóbal

Very close to the port in the Galapagos capital of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on the island of San Cristóbal, La Lobería beach is really easy to get to from the city centre. The short walk itself is very pretty, passing through lots of cotton trees and mangroves. Alternatively, you can catch a taxi from San Cristóbal and head over that way.

 Meaning ‘the wolfery’, La Lobería gets its name from the herds of sea lions that are known to laze on over this beach. Exciting wildlife is also to be found in its waters, where you can expect to find huge schools of bright, tropical fish swimming peacefully together. In fact, this beach is said to be one of the best places to go snorkelling in the whole of the archipelago, so it is definitely worth going despite it looking rather rocky!

10. Playa El Manglecito, San Cristóbal

Also situated on the island of San Cristóbal, Playa El Manglecito is renowned for its remote location and can only be reached by boat. What it lacks in accessibility it made up for in serenity, being one of the quietest beaches in the Galapagos.

Another brilliant snorkelling spot, this stunning shoreland has tranquil waters that allow you to investigate the magnificent sea life peacefully while disconnecting from the outside world. Playa El Manglecitol also offers incredible views over the unspoiled areas of the island, which will put you at complete ease during your visit.

It is also worth noting that this is one of the few beaches in the archipelago that you can camp on, but you will need to be organised and apply for a permit or hire a licensed guide in advance of your visit. Just like some of the other beaches on this list, there aren’t any restaurants or shops nearby, so you should be prepared by bringing all of your essentials with you.

Summary

The Galapagos Islands are overflowing with stunning coastlines and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. A visit to one of these beautiful utopias is guaranteed to soothe the soul, whether you choose to relax by soaking in the sun on the flawless white sand or taking to the turquoise-blue waters to investigate the incredible array of remarkable marine life.

However, each coastline offers a very unique pocket of paradise so if you do not know which one to visit, be sure to consult this list of the best beaches in the Galapagos Islands.

If you’re planning on visiting the Galapagos Islands and are looking for a tour provider that promises an exceptional and meaningful experience of this unique part of the world, get in touch with us at Touring Galapagos and find out more about the cruises and holiday packages we offer.