A good day trip. You have a choice in how you want to do it: walk both ways (about an hour each way) or take a boat either from Puerto Ayora or back (~25 mins). There are no amenities so be sure to use the baños while you register at the park entrance. Take snacks and lots of water ..... Beach towels etc. If you do wish to use the boat then the ticket "booth" is the small kiosk right infront of the big supermarket, the "Proinsular" in Puerto Ayora. Price is $10/adult each way. If you plan to walk out, spend the day and then take the boat back to PA, be sure to buy your ticket before you leave because during high season there may not be enough room on the boat for you. This "boat" is not the yellow water taxis that you see everywhere. This is a private commercial company. It's a single boat that fits back and forth. For example it heads out at 11:00, then back at noon, then out at 1:00pm then back at 2:00pm and so forth. About a half dozen kayaks are available for rent at Playa Manya. The view along the non-swimable Playa Brava is quite spectacular. The second beach is pleasantly secluded and good for safe family swimming although the water visibility isn't the greatest. Lots and lots of marine iguanas.

Tortuga Bay can be accessed via ferry or hike. The hike is more interesting, but requires a 3+ mile walk up hills and over a long stone path through desert flora and over a beach exposed to the sun. I made the mistake of not bringing enough water as there is none in the Park. The beach has an area where marine iguanas nest, and birds of all kind run, swim and fly on, in and over the beach. The bay is sheltered with calm water. You can rent a kayak for $10 and in <1 hour paddle through the mangroves. I saw sharks, iguanas swimming and perched on shore and sea turtles popping up to breathe. Even close to shore there were baby sharks swimming in a foot of water. It’s a good place to swim as the water is calm and a comfortable temperature.

Been to Aruba twice. Oahu, Kuaui, Maui, Jamaica, Barbados (not Turks & Caicos though) and this may be the best beach I’ve ever been on. Kayaked in the bay, went snorkelling and had a giant tortoise swim directly underneath me. Lots of black iguanas on the beach. The only thing that ruins this place (as always) is people. Only visited Santa Cruz, Floreana and Isabela but this might easily of been the most beautiful place. Incredible place.

Tortuga bay is a must see if you are on Santa Cruz. It opens at 6am and closes at 5pm so keep that in mind because if you’re walking it takes around 45 mins to an hour to get there. You have to walk down the whole walking path and then once you’re on the beach you go right and walk to the end and through the trees to get to the bay. The water taxi is about 30 mins and costs $10 each way. I enjoyed the walk so if you’re able, give yourself enough time and do that. One of the coolest things you’ll see is in the shallow water of the bay, baby hammerhead sharks!!! The water is pretty murky, we brought our snorkels but didn’t even use them cause it’s really hard to see anything. Just walk along the shallow water and you should be able to see some baby hammerheads swimming really close to shore. It was definitely a highlight of our trip!!

Top five of beaches I’ve ever seen. Including Grace Bay, Hawaii, etc. Pristine white sand. Seemingly unending. Absolutely stunning. There is a completely paved walk; wear good shoes. And a hat! The swimming beach is a bit futher on. This is the one thing I would see on Santa Cruz.

I had limited time on Santa Cruz, so I only made it to Playa Brava—and it is spectacular! If you're walking, be prepared and have plenty of water with you. It's a narrow, paved path bordered by thick vegetation and can become quite stuffy, especially mid-day.