Permitted Uses:   Interpretive Group Tour with a Naturalist Guide     Photography and filming    Guided walks    Associated Activities authorized by the GNPS in the itineraries of Authorized Vessels

The visitor site Las Bachas is located in northern part of Santa Cruz Island, it consists of two beaches that have a combined length of about 1 km long.  The name Las Bachas originates from the Second World War, when the American army left two barges discarded on the beach, the first settlers could not pronounce the name correctly in English, which resulted in Las Bachas Beach. The predominant vegetation is of the coastal zone. It represents one of the main nesting sites of sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) on Isla Santa Cruz. It is a good place to see flamingos, as well as migratory and aquatic birds.

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Special Indications

• The Galapagos Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas agassisi), nest in the sand dunes. Be careful not to step on turtle nests.

• The pond behind the first beach usually has some flamingos, Common Stilts, White-Cheeked Pintail ducks and is an excellent place to observe migratory birds. The lagoon must be approached in silence, these birds are nervous and can become disturbed. 

• The visitor site includes the landing beach and the beach continues to the remains of a floating dock abandoned by American soldiers in World War II.