Concha de Perla
Concha de Perla, Puerto Villamil: Address, Phone Number, Concha de Perla Reviews: 4.5/5
Concha de Perla
Concha de Perla
4.5
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The area
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Restaurants
29 within 3 miles
Isleno Restaurant & Bar
7
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • International • Mediterranean • South American
Restaurante La Casa de Marita
48
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • International • South American
Coco Surf
292
0.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Latin • Cafe • Seafood
Shawarma Hot
132
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Pub • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Maestro De Casa
63
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • South American • Ecuadorean
El Cafetal Galápagos
316
0.7 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Fusion • Healthy
Uku-Pama Lounge
14
0.6 miFusion • Wine Bar • South American • Ecuadorean
Royal Rock
27
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • Seafood • International
BM Lobster Endemic
51
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Ecuadorean
Gracias Madre Galápagos
37
0.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Mexican
Attractions
5 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
950 reviews
Excellent
515
Very good
297
Average
116
Poor
15
Terrible
7
Escape-overseas
Stevenage, UK1,755 contributions
Don't underestimate some of the things that are available for free. A visit to Concha de Perla, adjacent to the main harbour. provides the opportunity to swim with playful sea lions, marine Iguana, and numerous colourful fish, and then if you are lucky, sea turtles, stringray, both Marbel and spotted and white tipped reef sharks. The more times you visit the more likely you are to experience the full range of sea life that we recorded during our trip. For us it took three visits, but wow, and all for free. You can book snorkeling tours and travel around the coast, at significant cost and see a lot less - well maybe.
The depth of the water of course varies with the tide, and we swam both at high and low tide. In the end what you see is just luck. The huge Marbel Ray, sitting on the bottom, was seen at low tide, but at high tide we saw the reef shark, turtle and swam just above three spotted rays, all swimming in close formation. As for Iguana and sea lions, well they are just everywhere whilst the sun is up. It's free - you've got nothing to lose but time.
The depth of the water of course varies with the tide, and we swam both at high and low tide. In the end what you see is just luck. The huge Marbel Ray, sitting on the bottom, was seen at low tide, but at high tide we saw the reef shark, turtle and swam just above three spotted rays, all swimming in close formation. As for Iguana and sea lions, well they are just everywhere whilst the sun is up. It's free - you've got nothing to lose but time.
Written January 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Robert G
35 contributions
All of the water-based Galapagos wildlife can be found at the Concha de Perla. In only one hour of snorkeling, I swam with a blacktip reef shark, iguanas, several sea turtles, penguins, and sea lions. The last two are the coolest, as they will swim right up to you and around you.
It's free. Getting to the bay is easy, as it is less than a 10 minute bike ride from downtown Puerto Villamil, and bike rentals are only a few dollars an hour.
If you are in Puerto Villamil, even for a day, you must snorkel in Concha de Perla.
It's free. Getting to the bay is easy, as it is less than a 10 minute bike ride from downtown Puerto Villamil, and bike rentals are only a few dollars an hour.
If you are in Puerto Villamil, even for a day, you must snorkel in Concha de Perla.
Written April 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Cavydad
Camarillo, CA2,202 contributions
Couples
Iguanas guard the pathway! Each time I visited I had to pass some of the largest iguanas I have ever encountered to enter the patch. Simply say hello and don’t step on their tails. They are harmless. Beautiful walk, watch for flamingos and other wild birds.
Written January 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Richard S
Saint-Lazare, Canada35 contributions
This place is easily accessible but under delivered. It was pretty crowded as the way in and out of the water is via a deck with stairs. People tend to sit on the stairs and block entrance to the water. There also seemed to be a few people waiting around for people to leave their belongings unattended. Visibility in the water was not great. There are many more interesting places to see on the island
Written March 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Christy
Athens, Georgia, United States30 contributions
Perfect lagoon for snorkeling. Lots of locals come here. We say a spotted ray and a chocolate chip starfish there in the crystal clear water. But go during low tide. The current is very strong during high tide and can wash you into the mangroves.
Written May 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jorit N
West Melton, New Zealand111 contributions
Family
This is an amazing (free) place to visit in easy walking distance from Puerto Vilamil. Strongly recommend to head there at least once a day as we experienced something different every time. Also check low vs high tide, I think a couple of ours after low tide was most interesting. We saw turtles, sharks, penguins and plenty of fish pretty much every time we went. One time the penguins swam around me and nearly picked my goggles, absolutely amazing.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Melania F
Arlington, VA80 contributions
Couples
The location is excellent, right next to the pier. We did this three times, 2 mornings, once afternoon. Morning was better with low tide. We swam with playful sea lions, saw big rays each time, saw one turtle each time. Even if you don't do anything else, this is worth it every time!
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DewOnTheRoad
Sacramento, CA345 contributions
Make sure you rent a bike to do this path. Walking is definitely not recommended. The path is mostly in the sun and is super hot! There are many stopping points along the way. We saw several tortoises while bike riding on the path. There is no need to see the wall of tears in my opinion. One can turn around at the tower. Do go up to the tower for a great view.
Written May 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
roughneck784
Bozeman, MT41 contributions
Protected by reef and very safe to snorkel. Saw marine iguanas, turtle, some type of ray, lots of colorful fish, and a penguin swam by. The sea lions can be seen swimming around also. Free and don't need a guide. Visibility wasn't the best I've ever seen but good enough.
Written June 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TheGadfly
New Jersey28 contributions
Family
Great place to go for free. Don't wear fins, but instead wear hard sole swim shoes. You'll want to navigate through some very shallow rocky areas
Written April 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alexandra Maurice
Hamilton, Canada
Have the rules changed regarding accessing Concha de Perla solo? The most recent review states you can only access it with a guide. Is this correct?
FOLA_11
New Liskeard, Canada56 contributions
No need for a guide unless this has been added to the National Park. It is an easy walk from town.
If you do need a guide for other services( bike, surf or hikes) , go see Emilie at Galapagos Bike and Surf. She will look after you.
Katrin S
4 contributions
Hi! Danke für die tollen Tipps! Könnt ihr mir sagen, wie ich für concha de perla zu neoprenanzügen komme und wieviel die ungefähr kosten? wir sind nämlich 5 wochen mit dem rucksack durch kolumbien und ecuador unterwegs, viel zu fuß, und da ist die frage, ob es sinnvoll ist, den eigenen dicken neo mitzuschleppen - aus gewichtgründen. würd mich über alle tipps zu galapagos freuen. Danke :-)
EliannaCaycho
Lima, Peru60 contributions
Hola!, viajo el 5 de diciembre del 2015 a Puerto Ayora.
Veo que muchas personas dicen que esta playa esta cerrada, y algunos que la cerraron definitivamente, y ya no entiendo nada.
Alguien me podrÃa decir si de verdad la cerraron para siempre o solo fue un periodo y ya la abrieron?
Y más o menos cuando tiempo me toma ir del muelle principal a Concha Perla?, la podré visitar después del tour a los tuneles?, me quedara tiempo? o tendria que quedarme a dormir en Isabela?
Avanoc
Buenos Aires, Argentina129 contributions
Hola! Yo fui en marzo y pude ir. Concha de Perla no es una playa en verdad, es un muelle por el que se baja al mar (aunque mas parece una laguna). Esta bueno para ir a hacer snorkel, dp de la excursion de los tuneles te sobra tiempo para estar ahi, si es que el barco te espera. Yo fui y a los 15 min ya me volvÃ, pero estaba parando en Isabela, x lo que no tenia apuro si me queria quedar mas tiempo. Se llega caminando, es la unica forma, son unos 5 minutos desde el muelle principal x un sendero q sale desde ahi mismo. De todos modos, te recomiendo una y mil veces que te quedes unos dias en Isabela, es 100 veces mas lindo q Ayora! Al menos a mi me gusto mucho mas. Pude estar mas en contacto con la naturaleza en esa isla q en Ayora donde es mas ciudad.
Frequently Asked Questions about Concha de Perla
- We recommend booking Concha de Perla tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 2 Concha de Perla tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Concha de Perla:
- (0.14 mi) Chez Manany Galapagos Ecolodge
- (0.14 mi) Chez Manany Galapagos Ecolodge Apartment Garden Access
- (0.31 mi) The Wooden House Lodge
- (0.19 mi) Tres Palmas Eco Lodge
- (0.51 mi) Isamar Hotel
- Restaurants near Concha de Perla:
- (0.77 mi) Coco Surf
- (0.31 mi) Isleno Restaurant & Bar
- (0.97 mi) Booby Trap
- (0.62 mi) Shawarma Hot
- (0.63 mi) Maestro De Casa