El Garrapatero Beach
Playa El Garrapatero
A quiet white-sand beach on the east coast of Santa Cruz. It can be visited independently for free, offering snorkeling and kayaking, with flamingos occasionally seen in the lagoon behind the beach.
El Garrapatero is a half-moon white-sand beach on the east coast of Santa Cruz, about 19 kilometers from Puerto Ayora. A taxi takes about 30 minutes to the parking area, followed by a walk of about 15 minutes through a forest of palo santo trees. The water is clear, and there are fewer people than at Tortuga Bay. Reefs along the shore are good for snorkeling, with tropical fish and sea turtles, and kayaks can be rented. The lagoon behind the beach sometimes has flamingos and white-cheeked pintails. Entry is free, and the beach is open roughly 06:00 to 18:00. There are no shops, so bring your own water and food, and book a taxi for the return trip.
Opening hours
06:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Charles Darwin Research Station
- Puerto Ayora Fish Market & Av. Charles Darwin
- Laguna de las Ninfas
- Las Grietas
- Cerro Crocker
- South Plaza Island
- Tortuga Bay
- Gordon Rocks