San Cristobal Island, Galapagos

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

This relaxed town overlooking a harbour is the capital of the Galápagos Islands. You can visit the Natural History Museum as well as the Cathedral with its painted murals depicting Galapagos themes. The Natural History Museum is full of birds, iguanas, sea lions and dolphins as well as whalebones, tortoise shells, corals and crabs. The only living species in the museum is a tortoise called Pepe, who lives in an enclosure behind the main building.

Kicker Rock / León Dormido

This striking rock formation is located a couple hours off the western shore of San Cristobal. Jutting out of the water, these rocks stand vertically at hundreds of feet above the ocean divided by a small channel. Although there are no landing areas, this site is often visited by dinghy ride. Marine life spotted in this area includes turtles, sharks, octopi and reef fish.

Lobos Island

The name of this island means "Sea Lion Island". This appropriately named island is ripe with noisy, frolicking, jolly sea lions who will welcome you to their home with open, well, fins. This island also offers great snorkeling opportunities as well as the chance to see blue-footed and Nazca boobies.

Pitt Point / Pitt Islet

Pitt Point (Punta Pitt) is situated on the north-eastern tip of the island of San Cristobal. Arrival to this site is typically by a wet landing. A steep trail takes up a cliff and through a ravine leads visitors to an area with an abundance of birds. Here, frigatebirds, storm petrels, and the Nazca, Blue-footed and Red-footed Boobies can be spotted. This site is also great for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Witch Hill/Cerro Brujo

Located on the northern coast of San Cristobal Island, this eroded hill and its surroundings present one of the most beautiful beaches in the Galapagos. The white powdery sand and the abundance of animals in this area make it especially idyllic. Animals around Witch Hill and its beach include sea turtles, rays, and various types of Booby birds. The clear water provides an excellent opportunity for enjoying swimming and snorkeling.

Interpretation Center

The Interpretation Center on San Cristobal Island is a point of information about the Galapagos Islands. Located in San Cristobal's largest town, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the center was opened in 1998 as a phase of the project "Interpretation and Environment Education Project." The Center, in accordance with the goals of the project, provides information about the origins of the archipelago, both geographical and cultural.

Visitors enjoy the expositions on natural history, human history, and conservation. The Natural History Room explains the volcanic formation of the islands, climate, and how various species came to the islands. The Human History section of the Center describes the discovery of the island by humans, the colonization of the island and the history of human settlements. The conservation of the islands represents the movement to protect the wildlife and natural environment through various means of population and tourist control. The Interpretation Center also has an outdoor stadium, audio-visual equipment, and meeting rooms.

La Galapaguera/Jacinto Gordillo Tortoise Breeding Center

This is a new visitor site in the northeast part of San Cristobal Island and can now be reached in roughly one hour by road from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. In the Breeding Center, you will be able to admire the hatchling tortoises from their birth until the are 120 days old when the grown tortoises are taken to their natural habitat.

Ochoa Beach

Ochoa Beach is located north of San Cristobal Island, approximately 30 minutes by boat from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. The visiting area is restricted to the beach; it has an area of 160 meters. In the area there is a considerable colony of Galapagos Sea Lions. One of the outstanding floras in this site is Piscidia or matazarno (Piscidia carthagenensis), this species is highly valued for its toughness and long life. Ghosts and hermit crabs are common species in this site visit.

Tijeretas Hill

This hill provides visitors with an impressive view of the bay from one side and the town from the other. The area is also great for observing both the magnificent and great frigatebirds and a diverse array of flora. The site also offers safe snorkeling and swimming.

El Junco Lagoon

The Junco lagoon, located about 700m above sea level, is one of the few permanent freshwater bodies in Galapagos. Frigate birds are often seen here washing the salt from their feathers as well as white-cheeked pintails and common gallinules. Its name comes from a type of plant that is common in this area called "junco".

Puerto Chino Beach

Located (15.2 miles / 24.5 km) away from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and a few miles from the Breeding Center Cerro Colorado, this walk takes approximately 30 to the beach.

Punta Carola Beach

Located on the trails behind the visitor's center, Punta Carola is only a few minutes' walk from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. It's a small, sandy beach, home to sea lions and shore birds. In Punta Carola you can see exotic flora and fauna. There is ideal for surf. Even, so if you're looking for a place to put down a towel and relax for a while, this is a better bet.