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 the only island 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
San Cristobal Visitor Sites
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)
Difficulty: Easy / moderate
Kicker Rock / León Dormido
This striking rock formation is an interesting view and a great place for kayaking or diving. These two rocks are 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 for kayaking and scuba diving. Marine life spotted in this area includes turtles, sharks, octopi and reef fish.
Highlights: Great snorkeling: sharks, tropical fish, turtles, manta rays (occ.), hammerhead sharks, spectacular rock formations; sea birds: blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies & frigatebirds.
Possible Activities: Snorkeling & dinghy ride
Type of Landing: No landing
Difficulty: Easy
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: Easy
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
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
Difficulty: Easy
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
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
Difficulty: Easy
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
Difficulty: Easy
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
Difficulty: Easy
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: Beach walk, dinghy ride & snorkeling
Type of Landing: Wet landing
Difficulty: Easy walk along the beach