Miles of deserted beach occupied only by sleeping Iguanas
A little way outside the town of Puerto Ayora a small pedestrian pathway leads into the National Park and, once clear of the registration hut, runs for 3 kilometres through woods towards one of the world’s most beautiful white sand beaches.
The Pacific swell causes waves to curl and crash onto the shore making this a great surfing spot and not a shack in sight!
Those who have carried their board on the 40-minute walk from town are rewarded with a great ride when the surf is up.
For others the beach provides an uninhabited and almost deserted walk beside the sea. Marine Iguanas move twixt surf and shore where they pile up into great heaps to bask in the sunshine. Asleep they appear lifeless, save for the occasional snort as they clear the excess salt form their bodies in a spray of brine like miniature whales spouting.
These are the only sea going lizards in the world and can only be found in these islands. If numbers here on this beach at Tortuga Bay are anything to go by they are not endangered.
Towards the end of the beach a twist of nature has allowed the sea to force its way into the island forming a beautiful and very peaceful lagoon with sandy beaches, cactus plants and plenty of pelicans. This quiet beach with its calm waters is the complete opposite to its near neighbour and proves again what a fascinating group of islands are here in the Galapagos.
We are here to voyage aboard the superyacht Queen of Galapagos as she undertakes a charter visiting just a small selection of islands. We hope to share with you some of the excitement of undertaking such a trip. Please follow our adventures and feel free to comment below.
Queen of Galapagos is available for charter through Robert Shepherd at Edmiston