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San Cristobal Island, Galapagos

Is home to a small town, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, and the Junco Lagoon, located 700 meters above sea level. El Junco has been the object of a study in which the sediments on the bottom of the lake were analyzed to uncover information about the vegetation and climate of the archipelago thousands of years ago.

San Cristobal Fast Facts

  • San Cristobal is one of the few islands where three different species of booby birds and the great frigatebird can be seen nesting in the same area.
  • Animals: blue-footed, Nazca, and red-footed boobies, frigatebirds
  • Area: 1.9 sq. mi
  • Highest Point: 1204 ft
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San Cristobal Visitor sites:

Puerto Baquerizo Moreno

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.

  • Highlights: Natural History Museum
  • Possible Activities: Tortoise in Museum
  • Type of Landing: Dry Landing
  • Difficulty: Easy

*Activities will be operated according to each boat itinerary.

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Kicker Rock

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.

  • Highlights: Spectacular rock formations; sea birds: blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies & frigatebirds.
  • Possible Activities: Dinghy ride
  • Type of Landing: No landing
  • Difficulty: Easy

*Activities will be operated according to each boat itinerary.

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Lobos Island

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.

  • Highlights: Snorkeling with sea lions, frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies
  • Possible Activities: Short hike (less than 0.6 mi/1 km), dinghy ride and/or snorkelling.
  • Type of Landing: Dry landing
  • Difficulty: Easy/moderate

*Activities will be operated according to each boat itinerary.

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Pitt Point

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.

  • Highlights: Wonderful landscape, sea lion colony, three possible species of boobies.
  • Possible Activities: Dinghy ride, snorkeling, kayaking & hike (1.55 mi/2.5 km)
  • Type of Landing: Wet landing
  • Difficulty: Moderate/difficult

*Activities will be operated according to each boat itinerary.

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Witch Hill

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.

  • Highlights: Beautiful rock formations, sea lions, shore birds, finches and mockingbirds; snorkeling: nice tropical fish, anemones, sponge coral
  • Possible Activities: Hike, dinghy ride, snorkeling & kayaking
  • Type of Landing: Wet landing
  • Difficulty: Easy walk along the beach

*Activities will be operated according to each boat itinerary.

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Interpretation Center

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.

  • Highlights: Galapagos History and nature information
  • Possible Activities: Short walk
  • Type of Landing: Dry Landing
  • Difficulty: Easy

*Activities will be operated according to each boat itinerary.

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La Galapaguera

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.

  • Highlights: Giant tortoises in captivity.
  • Possible Activities: Short hike (0,6 mi / 1Km)
  • Type of Landing: Dry Landing
  • Difficulty: Easy / moderate

*Activities will be operated according to each boat itinerary.

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Ochoa Beach

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.

  • Highlights: Sea Lions, Piscidia or matazarno
  • Possible Activities: Snorkeling, Scuba diving
  • Type of Landing: Dry landing
  • Difficulty: Difficult

*Activities will be operated according to each boat itinerary.

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Tijeretas Hill

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.

  • Highlights: Frigate birds, cacti, red mangroves
  • Possible Activities: Snorkeling, swimming
  • Type of Landing: Dry landing
  • Difficulty: Easy

*Activities will be operated according to each boat itinerary.

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El Junco Lagoon

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".

  • Highlights: One of the few permanent freshwater lakes, frigates, white-cheeked pintails
  • Possible Activities: Bird watching
  • Type of Landing: Dry landing
  • Difficulty: Easy

*Activities will be operated according to each boat itinerary.

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Puerto Chino Beach

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.

  • Highlights: Hiking, swimming, snorkeling
  • Possible Activities: White sandy beach, marine birds, snorkeling
  • Type of Landing: Dry landing
  • Difficulty: Moderate / difficult

*Activities will be operated according to each boat itinerary.

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Punta Carola 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.

  • Highlights: Sea lions, shore birds
  • Possible Activities: Surfing, Snorkeling
  • Type of Landing: Dry landing
  • Difficulty: Easy

*Activities will be operated according to each boat itinerary.

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San Cristobal Pictures

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Galapagos Wildlife in San Cristobal Island

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    Kicker Rock Tortoise Breeding Center Loberia Lobos Island Pitt Point Tijeretas Hill Witch Hill El Junco Puerto Chino Carola Point Galapaguera Natural
Land Birds Cactus Finch - -   - -   - -   -  
Land Birds Dark-billed Cuckoo - - - - - - - - - - -
Land Birds Galapagos Dove - - - - - - - - - - -
Land Birds Galapagos Flycatcher - - - - - - -   - -  
Land Birds Galapagos Hawk - - - - - - - - - - -
Land Birds Galapagos Mockingbird - - - - - - - - - - -
Land Birds Hood Mockingbird - - - - - - - - - - -
Land Birds Large Ground Finch - - - - - - - - - - -
Land Birds Large Tree Finch - - - - - - - - - - -
Land Birds Mangrove Finch - - - - - - - - - - -
Land Birds Medium Ground Finch - -   - -   - -   -  
Land Birds Medium Tree Finch - - - - - - - - - - -
Land Birds San Cristobal Mockingbird -   - - - - - - - -  
Land Birds Sharp-beaked Ground Finch - - - - - - - - - - -
Land Birds Short-eared Owl - - - - - - - - - - -
Land Birds Small Ground Finch -     - -   - -   - -
Land Birds Small Tree Finch -   - - - - -   - -  
Land Birds Tyrant Flycatcher - - - - - - - - - - -
Land Birds Vegetarian Finch - -   - - - - - - -  
Land Birds Warbler Finch - - - - - - - - - - -
Land Birds Woodpecker Finch - - - - -   -     -  
Land Birds Yellow Warbler -     - -   -   - - -
Sea Birds American Oystercatcher - - - - - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Black-necked Stilt - - - - - -   - - - -
Sea Birds Blue-footed Booby - - -         - - - -
Sea Birds Brown Noddy - - - - - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Brown Pelican - - -   -   - - - - -
Sea Birds Cattle Egret - - - - - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Flamingos - - - - - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Flightless Cormorant - - - - - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Galapagos Penguin - - - - - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Galapagos Petrel - - - -   - -   - - -
Sea Birds Galapagos Rail - - - - - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Greater Flamingo - - - - - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Great Blue Heron - - - - - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Great Frigatebird - -           - - - -
Sea Birds Herons - - - - - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Lava Gull - - - -   - - - - - -
Sea Birds Magnificent Frigatebird - - - -   - -   - - -
Sea Birds Moorhen - - - - - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Nazca Booby - - - -   - - - - - -
Sea Birds Paint-billed Crake - - - - - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Pied-billed Grebe - - - - - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Red-footed Booby - - - -   - - - - - -
Sea Birds Red-billed Tropicbird - - - -   - - - - - -
Sea Birds Ruddy Turnstone - - - - - -   - - - -
Sea Birds Sanderling - - - - - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Semi-palmated Plover - - - - - -   - - - -
Sea Birds Striated Heron - - - - - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Swallow Tailed Gull - - - - - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Waved Albatross - - - - - - - - - - -
Sea Birds Whimbrel - - - - - -   - - - -
Sea Birds White-cheeked Pintail - - - - - - -   - - -
Reptiles Galapagos Green Turtle   -     - - - - - - -
Reptiles Galapagos Snake-biserialis - - - - - - - - - - -
Reptiles Galapagos Tortoise -   - - - - - - - -  
Reptiles Lava Lizard - - - - -   - -   -  
Reptiles Land Iguana - - - - - - - - - - -
Reptiles Marine Iguana - -   -   -   - -   -
Mammals Dolphins - - - - - - - - - - -
Mammals Galapagos Fur Seal - - - - - - - - - - -
Mammals Galapagos Sea lion - -           - -   -
Fish/Marine Galapagos Shark   - - - - - - - - - -
Fish/Marine Hammerhead Shark   - - - - - - - - - -
Fish/Marine Ray   - - - - - - - - - -
Fish/Marine Sally Lightfoot Crab - - - - - - - - - - -
Fish/Marine Tropical fish   - - - - - - - - - -
Fish/Marine Whale Shark - - - - - - - - - - -
Fish/Marine Whitetip Reef Shark - - - - - - - - - - -
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