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Española island -Gardner bay Visitor Sites: Sea lion in Espanola island
Visitor Sites

Gardner Bay

Gardner Bay - Española Island

Located on Española Island, Gardner Bay consists of an extensive beach of whitish coralline sand with several colonies of Galapagos sea lions.

Here, we can also observe the endemic mockingbird of Española, usually in small groups defending their territories.

Snorkeling is recommended, especially around the small semi submerged tuff cone located in front of the beach. Where we could see reef white-tipped sharks, rays, sea lions and a variety of colorful reef fish.

It’s basically a day of sun and beach, along snorkeling and kayaking activities.

At certain rocky points of the shoreline, we can also see marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies plunging in the water, Sally light-foot crabs, and small coastal birds and wandering tattlers (vagabundos) and turnstones (vuelvepiedras).

Gardner Bay - Galapagos Española Island

  • Disembarking: Wet.
  • Type of Terrain: Sandy.
  • Difficulty: Low.
  • Activities: 1-hour hike / 1 hour 45 min beach snorkeling / 30 min kayaking / 30 min glass-bottom boat.
  • Highlights: Excellent for swimming and snorkeling along a wonderful and relaxing white sandy beach with colonies of sea lions, Hood mockingbirds, lava lizards, Galapagos hawks, and sea turtles. In front of the beach, there is a small islet, which is a good place for snorkeling among sea turtles, marine iguanas, rays, and colored fish. Travelers will also spot lava lizards and the colorful Sally light-footed Crabs or zayapas. Snorkelers often see many of the Galapagos marine species such as king angel fish, Creole fish, damsel fish, parrot fish, white-tipped reef shark, and many more.

Wildlife by visitor site

Marine iguana icon
MARINE IGUANA
Sea Lion icon
SEA LION
Darwin finch icon
DARWIN FINCH

Gallery

Gardner Bay - Española Island in the Galapagos Islands white sand beach with sea lion and tourist experience
Gardner Bay - Española Island in Galapagos Island: Sea lion swimming in the Española Islands
Gardner Bay - Española Island in the Galapagos Islands: Sea lion colony at the beach in the Española Island
Gardner Bay - Española in the Galapagos view of the white sand beach with tourists living experience
Gardner Bay - Española in the Galapagos view of the white sand beach with tourists living experience
Gardner Bay - Española in the Galapagos view of the white sand beach with tourist play with child
Gardner Bay - Española in the Galapagos view of the white sand beach with tourist girl living experience

Suggested items

Cap
CAP
Camera icon
CAMERA
Shorts icon
SHORTS
Sunscreen icon
SUNSCREEN
Windbreaker icon
WINDBREAKER
repellent icon
INSECT REPELLENT
Glasses icon
GLASSES
Wetsuit icon
WETSUIT
Snorkeling icon
SNORKELING

Location map

Location map