Information
Landmark: Bachas BeachCity: Galapagos Islands
Country: Ecuador
Continent: South America
Bachas Beach, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, South America
Overview
Bachas Beach, on the quiet northern shore of Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos, offers soft white sand, clear turquoise water, nesting sea turtles, and a touch of history in the form of rusting World War II barges half-buried in the shore.This stunning stretch of sand invites you to unwind, listen to the surf, and spot blue-footed boobies along the shore, making it one of the most peaceful places in the Galápagos.Bachas Beach sits on the northwest coast of Santa Cruz Island, just a short walk from the busy blue waters of the Itabaca Channel.You can reach it quickly by boat from Puerto Ayora, the island’s main town, where colorful fishing boats sway in the harbor.The beach boasts soft, white sand that feels cool underfoot, set against the stark, dark slopes of the volcanic hills nearby.The water usually lies still and glassy, perfect for slipping on a snorkel, diving in for a swim, or watching fish dart through the sunlit shallows.Around Bachas Beach, the air feels calm, with mangrove forests whispering in the breeze and saltwater lagoons glinting just a short walk away.These ecosystems shelter a wide range of wildlife, from darting dragonflies to quiet deer, and add to the area’s natural beauty.Bachas Beach overflows with life, from bright Sally Lightfoot crabs scuttling over the sand to sea turtles gliding through the clear shallows.The air is still here, the kind that lets you hear a seabird’s wings slice the breeze, making it a safe haven for the wildlife that flourishes in the Galápagos.One.Marine life snorkeling: In the clear, waist‑deep waters off Bachas Beach, you can spot darting fish and colorful coral, making it a perfect place to slip on a mask and explore.You’ll spot bright tropical fish darting between corals, graceful sea turtles gliding by, and marine iguanas basking on warm rocks.The water here stays glassy and still, perfect for slipping on a mask and spotting bright fish drifting just below the surface.Sea Turtles: Green sea turtles often choose this beach to lay their eggs, scraping shallow nests into the warm sand at night.From December to April, female turtles crawl up the beach and bury their eggs deep in the warm sand.It’s an important spot for protecting turtles, and a rare place where visitors can watch them shuffle across the sand.Marine birds: gulls, terns, and other seabirds skim the waves and nest along the shoreline.You might catch sight of pelicans gliding above, herons stalking the shallows, or frigatebirds wheeling sharply in the sky.Number two.Bachas Beach is home to Galápagos land iguanas, and you’ll often spot them stretched out on the warm sand, soaking up the midday sun.These reptiles live only on the island, where they keep the ecosystem in balance-much like when they snap up swarms of insects at dusk.Crabs and other small creatures share the beach, from quick sally lightfoot crabs darting over warm rocks to tiny shapes vanishing into the sand, all adding a restless energy to the shore.Birdlife: Alongside marine birds, the area around Bachas Beach is home to unique land species, from darting finches to chattering mockingbirds and soft-winged doves.Bright flashes of wings and quick bursts of song make the beach a favorite place for spotting all kinds of birds.Bachas Beach holds a slice of history-it was once linked to World War II, when rusted ship parts still dotted its shore.During the war, the United States turned Santa Cruz Island into a base for military operations, setting up a post on Bachas Beach, where the tide left rusted barrels in the sand.Near the beach, you can still spot reminders of World War II-rusting barges wedged in the sand and other forgotten structures slowly crumbling in the salt air.Weathered relics scattered along Bachas Beach lend it a rare mix of raw coastal beauty and a hint of mystery from another time.At Bachas Beach, you can snorkel in clear turquoise water, stroll along soft white sand, or simply soak in the quiet, untouched beauty that makes the place feel worlds away.Number one.The calm, crystal-clear water at Bachas Beach is perfect for snorkeling, and you might spot bright fish flickering between the rocks.Shallow waves lap the shore, where darting fish, graceful sea turtles, and gliding rays make their home.The coral reefs around here make an ideal place to explore, with bright fish darting through the swaying sea fans.Number two.Bachas Beach, with its soft sand warm underfoot and gentle waves lapping the shore, is perfect for a swim and a lazy afternoon in the sun.The beach is calm and nearly empty, perfect for stretching out on the warm sand and letting the sound of gentle waves wash your thoughts away.Visitors can wander the shoreline, breathing in the salty air while the turquoise water glitters beside stretches of warm white sand.Three.At Bachas Beach, birdwatchers can spot a range of native species, from herons gliding over the mangroves to pelicans resting by the quiet lagoon.The beach is a great place to watch seabirds-frigatebirds soaring high, pelicans skimming the waves-and you’ll also spot land birds like the Galápagos mockingbird and lively finches.Number four.You might picture Galápagos tortoises roaming the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, but now and then you’ll find one ambling near Bachas Beach, especially in the quiet inland scrub.Tortoises aren’t as common on this beach as they are elsewhere, but spotting one sunning itself on the warm sand still gives visitors a little thrill.You can reach Bachas Beach in no time by taking a boat from Puerto Ayora, the lively main town on Santa Cruz Island, where the harbor smells faintly of salt and diesel.The boat ride usually lasts about half an hour, sometimes stretching to forty minutes if the waves run high.Most people arrive at Bachas Beach on a guided tour, often stopping first at places like the clear blue pools of Las Grietas or the rocky shores of Playa de los Perros on Santa Cruz Island.What makes Bachas Beach worth the trip?Bachas Beach in the Galápagos feels like a quiet hideaway, its white sand warm underfoot and the waves gentle, far removed from the bustle of the archipelago’s busier tourist spots.Here’s why you should go: the beach glows with soft white sand, water so clear you can see shells beneath your feet, and untouched scenery that’s perfect for unwinding or snapping a few stunning photos.On this beach, you might spot turtles sliding into the surf, sea lions basking on warm rocks, and seabirds wheeling sharply overhead.Sea turtles nest here each year, leaving trails in the sand, and that makes the place especially meaningful for nature lovers.Snorkeling: The water lies glassy and still, perfect for spotting schools of bright fish drifting just beyond the shoreline.Bachas Beach blends pristine sands and turquoise water with a touch of history, where rusting WWII military remnants rest quietly in the sun.Whether you want to stretch out on warm sand, snorkel through crystal-clear water, or watch seabirds glide over the tide, Bachas Beach offers an experience in the Galápagos you won’t forget.
