Guayaquil, Gulf of

a gulf of the Pacific Ocean on the western coast of South America (Ecuador). The gulf cuts 115 km into the mainland and is approximately 160 km wide at its mouth. It reaches depths of up to 200 m. Its tides are semidiurnal and have a tidal range of 4.4 m. The port of Guayaquil, open to seagoing vessels, lies along the lower reaches of the Guayas River, which flows into the gulf.