Las Bachas Beach, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, Ecuador

Las Bachas Beach is a serene and picturesque beach located on the northern coast of Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos archipelago.

Its name has an unusual origin: during World War II, the U.S. military abandoned barges on the island, and locals mispronounced “barges” as “bachas,” giving the beach its current name. Today, remnants of those barges can still be seen rusting in the sand, adding a touch of historical intrigue to the otherwise pristine landscape. The beach is composed of soft white coral sand, making it an inviting spot for visitors to relax, swim, and explore.

Ecologically, Las Bachas is a haven for wildlife. It’s one of the primary nesting sites for Galápagos green sea turtles, which come ashore to lay their eggs in the warm sand. Behind the beach, brackish lagoons attract a variety of birdlife, including flamingos, pintail ducks, and herons. Sally Lightfoot crabs scuttle across the rocks, and marine iguanas can be seen basking nearby. The gentle waves and shallow waters also make it a good location for snorkeling, though visibility can be affected by the sandy bottom. Still, visitors may spot rays, small reef fish, and occasionally sea turtles gliding through the water.

Las Bachas is often one of the first stops on Galápagos cruises or day tours from Puerto Ayora, offering a peaceful introduction to the islands’ natural beauty. There are no facilities on the beach, so visitors are advised to bring water, sunscreen, and any gear they might need. The area’s tranquility, combined with its rich biodiversity and subtle historical touches, makes Las Bachas Beach a memorable destination for anyone exploring Santa Cruz Island. Whether you're birdwatching by the lagoon or soaking in the sun on the sand, it’s a place where nature and history quietly converge.

Birds fishing near the rocks

Brown Pelican
The Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), specifically the Galápagos subspecies P. o. urinator, is a familiar sight along the coastal waters of Santa Cruz Island.

With its massive wingspan—reaching up to 2.3 meters—and distinctive pouched bill, this seabird is an expert fisher, often seen plunge-diving from the air to snatch fish near the surface. On Santa Cruz, it frequents areas like Black Turtle Cove, Tortuga Bay, and Las Bachas Beach, gliding low over the water or resting on rocky outcrops and mangrove roots. Its plumage is mostly brown, with adults sporting a pale yellow head and white neck during breeding season.
Brown Pelicans nest in small colonies, often in low bushes, mangroves, or directly on the ground. On Santa Cruz, they breed year-round, laying up to two eggs per clutch, which are incubated by both parents. The chicks are altricial—born helpless and dependent—and are fed regurgitated fish until they fledge. Despite their ungainly appearance on land, these birds are graceful in flight and highly social, often flying in coordinated lines or gliding on thermals. Their presence is especially noticeable around fishing boats and docks, where they opportunistically gather to scavenge scraps.
As an endemic subspecies, the Galápagos Brown Pelican plays a vital role in the coastal ecosystem of Santa Cruz. It helps regulate fish populations and serves as an indicator of marine health. Though generally stable in number, pelicans are vulnerable to oil spills, overfishing, and habitat degradation. Conservation efforts in the Galápagos aim to protect nesting sites and maintain the integrity of marine food sources. Watching a Brown Pelican dive with precision or soar effortlessly above the waves is a reminder of the island’s rich natural heritage and the delicate balance that sustains it.

Las Bachas Beach view from the sea

Sally Lightfoot crabs
The Sally Lightfoot crab (Grapsus grapsus) is one of the most vibrant and agile creatures found along the rocky shores of Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos.

With their brilliant red, orange, and blue coloration, adult crabs stand out dramatically against the black volcanic rocks, while juveniles are darker and better camouflaged. These crabs are incredibly nimble, capable of running in multiple directions and leaping between rocks with ease—traits that have earned them their lively name, rumored to be inspired by a Caribbean dancer’s quick-footed grace.
On Santa Cruz, Sally Lightfoot crabs are commonly seen scuttling across tide pools and coastal outcrops, where they play a vital ecological role as scavengers. Their diet is impressively diverse: they feed on algae, dead fish, bird droppings, sea lion placenta, and even ticks and parasites from marine iguanas. This generalist feeding behavior helps keep the shoreline clean and supports nutrient recycling in the intertidal zone. They are also prey for native predators like lava herons and octopuses, as well as introduced species such as rats and cats, which pose a threat to their populations.
These crabs reproduce by releasing larvae into the ocean, where they undergo several molts before returning to shore as juveniles. Females carry their eggs on their undersides until hatching, and the young crabs often travel in groups before becoming solitary adults. On Santa Cruz, their presence adds a splash of color and movement to the coastal landscape, captivating visitors and researchers alike. Whether darting between rocks or basking in the sun, Sally Lightfoot crabs embody the resilience and adaptability that define life in the Galápagos.

Marine Iguana
The Marine Iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) is one of the most iconic and unique species in the Galápagos Islands, and Santa Cruz Island is home to its own subspecies, A. c. hassi.

These iguanas are the only lizards in the world that forage in the sea, feeding almost exclusively on marine algae. On Santa Cruz, they are commonly seen basking on black lava rocks along the coast, especially in areas like Tortuga Bay and Punta Estrada. Their dark coloration helps them absorb heat quickly after cold dives into the ocean, and their flattened tails and strong claws make them excellent swimmers in the island’s turbulent waters.
During the mating season, which typically occurs between January and March, males on Santa Cruz turn a striking red and black—a vivid display used to attract females and assert dominance over rivals. Larger males dive deeper and farther offshore to graze on submerged algae, while smaller individuals feed in the intertidal zone during low tide. Despite their rugged appearance, marine iguanas are vulnerable to environmental stressors. El Niño events can drastically reduce algae availability, leading to starvation, and introduced predators like rats and feral cats pose serious threats to eggs and juveniles.
Conservation efforts on Santa Cruz have focused on habitat protection and controlling invasive species to support the marine iguana population. The subspecies A. c. hassi is currently listed as Endangered due to its limited range and susceptibility to climate fluctuations and human impact. Visitors to the island can observe these remarkable reptiles in their natural habitat, often sneezing out salt—a quirky behavior that helps regulate their internal salt levels. The Marine Iguana is not just a symbol of Galápagos biodiversity but a living example of evolutionary adaptation to one of the planet’s most challenging environments.

Turtle nest with turtle tracks in the sand
On Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos, one of the most magical sights visitors can encounter is the evidence of sea turtle nesting—delicate tracks etched into the sand leading to and from shallow nests.

These tracks, often seen at beaches like Las Bachas, mark the nocturnal journey of female Galápagos green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) as they crawl ashore to lay their eggs. The nesting season typically spans from January to May, when females dig deep pits in the warm sand, deposit their clutch of eggs, and then carefully cover them before returning to the sea. The tracks left behind are a silent testament to this ancient ritual, winding across the beach like nature’s calligraphy.
Each nest may contain up to 100 eggs, which incubate for about two months beneath the sand. The temperature of the nest plays a crucial role in determining the sex of the hatchlings—warmer sand tends to produce females, while cooler sand favors males. Once hatched, the tiny turtles instinctively crawl toward the ocean, guided by the moonlight reflecting off the waves. Their tracks, often barely visible in the morning light, trace a fragile path from nest to sea. Sadly, only about one in a thousand hatchlings will survive to adulthood, facing threats from predators, environmental changes, and human activity.
Conservation efforts on Santa Cruz are vital to protecting these nesting sites. Organizations like the Galápagos National Park Directorate and Galápagos Conservancy conduct nightly monitoring during nesting season, recording data and safeguarding nests from disturbance. In 2022 alone, over 400 nests were documented at Las Bachas Beach, highlighting the importance of this location as a key breeding ground for green sea turtles. Seeing the tracks and nests firsthand offers a humbling glimpse into the life cycle of these ancient mariners and underscores the need to preserve their habitat for generations to come.