Playa de la Estacion

A GNP certified guide is not required to visit this site.

Playa de la Estacion is a small sandy beach about 3/4 of a mile east of Puerto Ayora. To get there, follow the path to the Charles Darwin Research Station, and continue on for another 100 yards after the entrance. There you will find a small sign, and a sandy path leading down to the beach through the bushes. The beach has nice soft sand, but is very rocky along the shoreline and in the water.

There is a little natural shade, from a few trees and mangrove bushes, but it can get crowded with locals at weekends, so these spots are quickly taken. So come prepared with hats and sunscreen. Good water shoes are also advised. It is very easy to trip in the water and shred your feet without protective footwear.

The water in front and to the left of the beach is sheltered by a line of lava rocks forming a point, and this provides a shallow, calm area for snorkeling where you may see turtles, sea iguanas and baby sea lions as well as a variety of small fish. Again be careful to not get scratched on the rocks, especially at low tide, rash guards are a good idea, both for sun and scratch protection.

At the end of the rocky point, is a decent reef break which work best with a big southern swell from November to May. But there are much safer surfing option at other locations.

From this beach you have excellent views of Academy Bay and Finch Bay, and if you’re interested in bird watching you’ll likely see a variety of finches in the mangroves surrounding the beach.