The crevice
Turquoise water.
Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Diego Delso — CC BY-SA 4.0
A deep, narrow crack in the volcanic rock near Puerto Ayora, whose Spanish name means «the crevices», walled by brown and orange lava cliffs rising tens of metres and filled with clear turquoise water, a mix of seeping rainwater and seawater. Visitors swim and snorkel between its walls, watching fish beneath a calm surface with no waves, the light playing on the rock. The water is refreshing and fairly cool. Getting there is part of the fun: a short water-taxi ride from the Puerto Ayora pier across the bay, then a trail past a beach and salt lagoons where birds sometimes feed, and among giant tree-like cacti, to a wooden stairway down to the water. Go in the morning before the crowds, mind the slippery rocks and follow the park rangers' rules.
Turquoise water.
Across the bay.
Along the trail.
West of Academy Bay, about 3 km from Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz
By a short water taxi from the Puerto Ayora pier to the far shore, then about a 20 to 30 minute walk on a marked trail.
