El Garrapatero Beach is a beautiful beach located on Santa Cruz Island of the Galapagos archipelago, this beach is well known for its white sand and crystal clear water; It is located in the southern part of Santa Cruz Island, about 30 minutes by car from the city of Puerto Ayora.
El Garrapatero is considered a paradise away from any settlement and welcomes all visitors who opt for a day of relaxation and contact with nature.
This site should undoubtedly be on the itinerary of any traveler planning to visit the Enchanted Islands. It is a beautiful, untouched beach where you can enjoy turquoise waters. Behind the beach, there is a lagoon where, if you're lucky, you can spot flamingos, as well as Galapagos finches and migratory birds.
Discover the tranquility of El Garrapatero on one of our cruises 🛳️🐢 Contact us!!!
How to get to El Garrapatero beach?
First, you must reach Santa Cruz Island, one of the main islands of the Galapagos archipelago. You can do this by taking a flight from mainland Ecuador to the Seymour Airport in Baltra. From the airport, take a short bus ride and a ferry to reach the island itself.
Once on Santa Cruz Island and in the main town, Puerto Ayora, you have several options to get to El Garrapatero Beach: You can take a cab from Puerto Ayora, another option is to rent a bicycle; once you arrive at the parking area near the beach, you will have to walk a short distance to get to the beach itself. The path is relatively easy and takes you through beautiful natural surroundings.
Price of flights to Galapagos
Los precios de los vuelos a Galápagos varían dependiendo de la aerolínea, la temporada, la antelación con la que se compren los boletos y también la ciudad de origen. Ten en cuenta que hay dos aeropuertos principales en las Islas Galápagos: el Aeropuerto Seymour de Baltra (GPS), y el Aeropuerto de San Cristóbal (SCY).
The average prices for flights from mainland Ecuador to Galapagos typically range between $250 and $600 per person round trip. You may find special offers or promotions at certain times of the year
Map of El Garrapatero Beach
To visit the Garrapatero beach you must take a car for 33 minutes from Puerto Ayora, here you will find transportation services that will take you to your destination in a few minutes. The trip from Puerto Ayora to Garrapatero beach is 21 kilometers.
Activities to do at El Garrapatero Beach
El Garrapatero beach offers a variety of activities to enjoy its beautiful natural environment, you can swim and snorkel in its crystal clear waters, they are ideal for this type of activities and observe the local marine life, including tropical fish and sometimes sea turtles; You can take advantage of your time in El Garrapatero to have a relaxing moment and enjoy the soft white sand under the sun, we recommend you to bring a towel or a beach chair and take some time to rest and enjoy the scenery.
Around El Garrapatero Beach, there are trails that allow you to explore the surrounding natural environment. You can take a hike to reach a viewpoint, where you'll have a panoramic view of the beach and its surroundings. This beach is also ideal for birdwatching—you can find various species of coastal and marine birds, as well as endemic birds of the Galapagos.
El Garrapatero has shaded areas and trees where you can enjoy a picnic, I recommend you bring food and drinks to enjoy an outdoor meal in this paradisiacal environment.
List of activities to do on El Garrapatero beach
- Swimming: Enjoy the crystal clear water and gentle waves while swimming in the sea.
- Snorkel: Explore the unique marine life of the Galapagos Islands with snorkeling equipment. You can see tropical fish, sea turtles, rays and maybe even reef sharks.
- Birdwatching: The Galapagos Islands are a birdwatcher's paradise. At El Garrapatero, you can see frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, pelicans and many other species of shorebirds.
- Hiking: There are trails that surround El Garrapatero beach and take you through breathtaking landscapes, such as mangroves and dry forests. These hikes offer excellent opportunities to observe terrestrial wildlife such as land iguanas and turtles.
- Picnic on the beach: Take your picnic basket with you and enjoy a picnic lunch on the beautiful beach.
- Photography:: With breathtaking scenery and rich wildlife, El Garrapatero is a perfect place to take amazing photos.
- Beach volleyball: If you are with a group of friends, you can bring a volleyball and play an exciting game on the beach.
- Relaxation:: Just lie on the beach, enjoy the sun and listen to the soothing sound of the waves crashing on the shore.
- Camping: If you are looking for a more adventurous experience, some areas near the beach allow camping. Be sure to obtain the necessary permits and follow all regulations.
- Sea turtle watching: If you visit at certain times of the year, you may be lucky enough to witness sea turtles nesting on the beach. Be sure to respect the conservation rules if you witness this event.
What is the best month to visit El Garrapatero beach?
Visiting the paya garrapatero in Galapagos can be a beautiful experience in any month of the year. As in other tourist destinations, there is no ideal time to go.
Our recommendation is to visit the Garrapatero beach all year round but if you are looking for beach conditions, you can visit it during the months of January to May. In these months the Galapagos beaches are warm and you can enjoy an ideal water temperature.
Don't forget to visit our blog about the climate in the Galapagos to that you know the conditions of the islands each month.
Garrapatero Fauna
The wildlife at El Garrapatero Beach is diverse due to its isolation and unique ecosystem. Although the number and variety of species may vary, you can find sea turtles, coastal and marine birds such as gulls, frigatebirds, pelicans, whimbrels, and sandpipers. You can also observe marine iguanas, tropical fish, crabs, and endemic birds that the Galapagos Islands host, such as the Darwin’s finch, which played a crucial role in Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.
Clothing and recommendations for visiting El Garrapatero beach
When visiting El Garrapatero, it is important to consider the surroundings and specific conditions of the area to be prepared and fully enjoy your experience. Here are some useful recommendations: Bring sunscreen and insect repellent—the Galapagos Islands have a sunny climate, so using broad-spectrum sunscreen is essential. You should also wear lightweight and breathable clothing, such as short-sleeved shirts, shorts, and a cap, as the weather can be warm and humid.
If you plan to swim or snorkel, it is essential to bring your swimsuit, a towel, and a change of clothes. Discover our comfort cruises where you can snorkel here.
It is essential to stay hydrated, take a reusable water bottle with you, the weather and physical activity can make you need to drink more water than usual.
FAQ
Yes, there is the possibility of camping at El Garrapatero beach. However, it is necessary to obtain permission to camp in the area. Visitors interested in camping should contact local authorities or the tourism agency for information on requirements and regulations.
Yes, at El Garrapatero beach it is possible to observe seabirds, such as pelicans and frigate birds, it is also quite common to see sea turtles in the waters near the coast, do not forget to keep a respectful distance from the wildlife and do not disturb their habitat.
It is not strictly necessary to hire a guide to visit El Garrapatero, but they can provide you with valuable information about the area, its ecology and the wildlife you may encounter, in which case, if you prefer to explore on your own, be sure to research and inform yourself about the area before arriving.
El Garrapatero beach is located on Santa Cruz Island in Galapagos, on the south coast of the island, approximately 19 kilometers from the city of Puerto Ayora.
