Tortuga Bay is located on Santa Cruz Island, about a 30-minute walk from the main dock in Puerto Ayora. The walking trail is open from 6am to 6pm and visitors have to register at the Galapagos Park Services office at the beginning of the path. The path takes you through dry tropical forest until you arrive to Playa Brava, a gigantic and perfectly preserved beach that is forbidden to swimmers and is preserved for wildlife where many marine iguanas, crabs and birds are seen dotted along volcanic rocks. It is also a nesting zone for green marine turtles. The waves in this part are strong and huge.

If you walk a bit further over the beach, you arrive to Playa Manso, a separate cove where there are no waves and where you can swim and snorkel. Here you can also rent a canoe to explore the mangroves. There are usually many reef sharks to be seen here! There is also a large variety of small fish, birds, including the brown pelican and the Galapagos tortoise can be seen.

Tortuge Bay makes for a perfect 3 to 4 hour visit. Don´t forget to bring enough water, some snacks and sun protection.