las grietas

If you're allergic to bees... bring your epi pen... they are everywhere!It gets crowded and once many people arrive the fish start to hide...You can keep going... you arrive and see the one big pool... swim to the end and there is a shallow pool that doesn't look like much... but cross that and around the corner there is a bitter and better pool with bigger fish.The lava rocks are hot and sharp so shoes are a good idea.Sometimes there is a guy there renting snorkel equipment.The walk there/back can be hot and you will want good footwear. Bring water and sunscreen.

A really beautiful place that you must go and see. Bring a mask and snorkel and take a quick swim to see the fish in the ultra clear water. The way the light reflects off the water is really amazing. The hike there and back is very easy and you can get an ice cream on the way for a break.

This is a great little hidden gem. We went twice, both times in the morning, and we had the place mostly to ourselves. We could walk from our B&B, Jean's Home. The water is so clear, you can see everything. There are fish and rocks to see. It's also a nice walk out to it, through the salt flats.

We went for an afternoon trip, it's a little out of the way, but worth the hike to see the beautiful cliffs and water! If you have a sense of adventure it's a must see!

Large cacti, sulphur and salt lagoons and desert like terrain is what you will see on the hike to the "Crevice" which is actually a huge gorge between two cliffs. They have built a staircase down to facilitate diving into the cold and crystal like water below. Getting back out is a problem since the rocks are very slippery and wet. However, itis definitely worth it for the view and quite refreshing after the long hot walk to the area. The colors were amazing!

This is yet another of the hidden gems found near Puerto Ayora. It's a short boat ride to this hidden gorge. Once there, you'll hike across seemingly untouched volcanic terrain to yet another stunning series of Galapagos landscapes and ocean vistas.

The place is beautiful and good for swimming although the water is very cold. I was there in a very busy season so it was almost impossible to enter the water.

It appeared to be a shallow and safe water area for kids to play and explore with their parents. More convenient than more open areas.

We just wandered here, following other people, not knowing where we were going. So gorgeous. We didn't swim so I can't review the water but it was just wondrous to look at. Made me want to be a child again.

There was little warning from the guides as what to expect. Entry and exit dangerous due to sharp rocks. Best to not enter unless you can swim. Life jackets available, but was not brought down until much later, and no one told us about it, and we had to ask. I can easily see accidents and deaths happening on regular basis, in fact, one tourist tore up his leg badly on the rocks. It is great to swim in the water, as it is crystal clear. Best to enter with water shoes to protect your feet. Two entry way .. the "steps".. on the right side are just rocks... unfortunately clogged with kids and people, so it is hard to exit when they are blocking the way. Or under the dock, which is shallower, but is full of sharp rocks. Many were jumping off the dock, risk hitting the swimmers below, as there is no lifeguard nor supervision. There is no throw ring nor long pole to assist swimmers in distress. I would say, worthwhile visit and worthwhile to take a dip in the crystal clear water... but be cautious, so you don't get cuts... Bring along swim goggles or mask, as there are a few pretty fishes in the deep bottom.

Very cool place to hike to and go for a cool, refreshing swim/snorkel. Crystal clear water nestled between volcanic rock formations. Plus best of all, it's free!

its an amazingly clean and beautiful natural lap pool. the water is cold but the snorkeling & swimming is stunning.

We visited Las Grietas as a part of a tour on sunday and it was very crowded. Maybe a weekday is better, but for us it would not be a special visit purpose.

First off, you don't need a tour or guide for this. We did this one rainy morning, and though we got soaking wet still enjoyed ourselves. Get a water taxi at the puerto (it's the first gate, there should be a sign saying "Las grietas") for $0.60/person to the edge of the bay (2 min. boat ride) and then just follow the signs. You walk past a nice little beach, some beautiful hotels and restaurants, a salt mine, volcanic terrain, and finally arrive at Las grietas after about a 20min. walk. The "entrance" has recently been redone, so now there are nice wooden stairs and a railing. However, you can no longer dive from the top, just a 2m jump off the boardwalk. The gorge is about a 100m long; you can swim and snorkel there, but basically it's just a quick visit, something you should see.

The hike there is wonderful with out of this world views, cool Galapagos cacti, and a wonderful salt flat that on certain days you can see the ladies harvesting salt. And then, beautiful Las Grietas!!! Don't miss this wonder and really really try to bring snorkel gear. We've snorkeled quite a bit and this is a special place to explore underwater.