Galapatours Logo without whitespace

Urbina Bay

Urbina Bay

Visit the arid zone, and a recent land uplift

Information about Urbina Bay

Biodiversity

Panorama

Beaches

Snorkeling

Accesibility

Urbina Bay is one of the youngest features in the Galápagos. It was mainly formed in 1954, when a sudden uplift of the land raised the seabed by over 5 metres, and pushed the coastline over 1 km further away. This has resulted in the astonishing site of heads of coral stranded far from the water. Exposed to the air and elements, the coral heads are rapidly deteriorating and are one of the sights of the Galápagos that won't be around for much longer.

Once ashore, a long hiking trail will take you away from the beach and into the island's arid zone. In this habitat, you are likely to see wild Galápagos Giant Tortoises and Galápagos Land Iguanas. As the trail circles back towards the shore line you'll come across colonies of the unique Galápagos Flightless Cormorant.

This is a pleasant area for snorkeling, and as you enter and leave the water you might do so watched by some Galápagos Penguins, who have a colony nearby.  This is also one of the best sites to see Galápagos Marine Iguanas feeding underwater.

Interesting facts about Urbina Bay

Stranded coral, from the uplift in 1954

Giant tortoises and land iguanas

Snorkeling in the Bay with Galápagos Marine Iguanas

Pictures of Urbina Bay

Urbina Bay
Isabela Urbina bay -  samba galapagos cruise - gal0052

Possible Activities in Urbina Bay

hiking

Hiking

snorkeling

Snorkeling

Highlights Close to Urbina Bay

Our trips to Urbina Bay


2024 Galapatours, a Ventura TRAVEL GmbH brand

All rights reserved

go picture

Your contact

Micaela

Book a video consultation

15min face to face consultation

go picture