The surrounding area of the island is considered one of the best places for snorkeling.
San Cristóbal Island in the Galápagos archipelago impresses even experienced tourists with its wild nature and is increasingly appearing among the alternatives to popular tropical destinations, writes wieczniewolni.pl.
The author of the piece, Patrick Zelinsky, together with his companion Milena, visited the island during a six‑month trip through Latin America and shared their impressions.
According to them, San Cristóbal is not a resort with luxurious hotels where you spend a week on a sun lounger with a cocktail in hand. It’s an island that captivates at first sight with its pristine wildness.
Walk
The journey usually begins in the island’s capital, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, from where most excursions depart. Already here, it becomes clear who’s in charge: sea lions are relaxing on the promenade, crabs scurry across the rocks, and frigatebirds and seagulls are circling overhead. Locals and tourists calmly drink coffee right next to the wild animals.
The hike to Cerro Tijeritas
One of the most beautiful places on the island is the Cerro Tijeritas viewpoint, which offers a view of the turquoise ocean. The trail leads through lava fields and cacti, and the cries of frigatebirds are almost always audible in the air, especially during the mating season.
From the observation deck, you can go down to the Muelle Tijeritas Bay, where tourists swim right alongside sea lions. Sea iguanas are also often found there.
Beaches without crowds
The beaches of Punta Carola and Playa Mann are a story of their own. The clear water and soft sand here are just a complement to the main attraction: the turtles swimming near the shore, the small iguanas, and the sea lions that settle right on the sand. It is these “local residents” who turn an ordinary beach holiday into something much more – and it is for their sake that people come back here again.
Giant Turtle Sanctuary
On the island, it’s worth visiting Galapagüera de Cerro Colorado – a reserve that focuses on the conservation and breeding of giant tortoises. As you stroll along the trails, you can observe tortoises of the species Chelonoidis chathamensis – both young ones and adults of impressive size.
Snorkeling
The area around San Cristóbal is considered one of the best snorkeling spots in the entire archipelago: here you can swim alongside sea turtles, schools of coral fish, and even curious sea lions.
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