The best hotspots to see in the Galapagos Islands
We invite you to the Galapagos Islands, a paradise on earth created by volcanic activity.
A world-renowned ecotourism destination, the Galapagos Islands are known to many travelers as the origin of species for Charles Darwin, theorist of evolution, and a dream destination for its diverse flora and fauna. These isolated islands are a treasure trove of natural wonders, home to many rare species of flora and fauna, including Galapagos tortoises, penguins, marine iguanas, and fur seals. They are also a mecca for diving.
Isla Santa Cruz
Bay Tour in Santa Cruz – Galapagos Islands
Charles Darwin Research
The Charles Darwin Research Station (founded in 1964) is a place where researchers from different countries study the conservation of plants and animals in order to preserve the marine ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands. It is especially famous for its captive breeding of tortoises. It’s a great place to learn about the ecology and history of the Galapagos.
Fishing piers
Even if you don’t intend to buy fish, fishing piers are always full of animals and it’s fun to just sit and watch.
You’ll see sea lions feeding on fish scraps, pelicans trying to steal your fish without you noticing, and iguanas sneaking by.The marine iguana is the only marine lizard in the world that lives in the equatorial Galapagos Islands. It can cut up to 1 meter long and weighs an average of 10 kilograms. It’s the most “I’m in the Galapagos” of any tourist attraction.
Kiosk Street ‘kiosko de renato’
In the evening, the kiosks set up outdoor tables and served all kinds of fish dishes!
You can bargain on the spot, or just grab a table where there are lots of people!
El Chato Turtle Farm
Home to some of the largest land tortoises in the world, you can also see caves that were created by passing lava.
Even before you arrive at the farm, you’ll see tons of turtles along the way.
El chato is a must-do in Santa Cruz, as you’ll never get tired of seeing the Galapagos’ mascot, the giant tortoise.
Snorkeling in Las Grietas
This is the best place to dive and swim in the Galapagos.
After about 20 minutes of walking past the strange pink salt pans, you’ll finally reach the entrance to Las Grietas.
Las Grietas is deep and cold. Grietas means cracks, cliffs, and rocks in Spanish, and the lake is said to have formed between the cliffs due to volcanic activity. The water is a mixture of fresh and salt water, so it tastes slightly less salty than salt water. The more light that comes into the canyon, the clearer the water.
Snorkeling for Life:
Isabella Island
Day Tour to Isabela Island with Tintorera Islet, Snorkeling Wetlands & Flamingos
Snorkel the Pearl Shell
Isabela Island in the Galapagos Islands, is home to some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. Listening to the waves crashing on the soft, powdery sand beach and watching the perfectly round, red sun set over the mountains. I couldn’t think of anything else. You feel like you’re the only person in the world.
Pearl Shell is not a regular beach but rather a hidden beach where you walk through a wooden deck in the middle of a mangrove forest to the ocean.
The underwater scenery is also different and more mysterious than a typical beach!
As you walk along the wooden deck, you’ll see lots of sleeping sea lions, and if you’re lucky, you can swim with them.
San Cristóbal Island
Day tour to San Cristobal Island with private Land Tour and snorkeling
Trekking on San Cristóbal Island
Cerro Brujo and Puerto Chino are two of San Cristóbal’s most spectacular sights. Follow the trekking trails through volcanic canyons to spot some of the Galapagos’ rare flora and fauna.
360-degree tours
One of the most popular tours on San Cristobal Island is the 360 Tour, which takes you around the island in a 360-degree circle and snorkels four snorkeling hotspots: Kikorak, Cerro brujo, Pungtapit, and Rosa blanca.
Playa Mann
It’s about a 10-minute walk from town, so it’s easy to get to, and no matter when you visit, you have a 100% chance of seeing sea lions.
The beach is always lively, with half people and half sea lions, and it has more shade than other beaches, so it’s a great place to lay out a beach towel and relax.
It’s also a great sunset spot, so it gets crowded in the late afternoon. Don’t miss the unique experience of watching the sunset with the sea lions.
Carola beach
Carola beach is located halfway between Playa Bay and the Zarzuelas, so it’s worth bundling them together.
Like Playa Bay, there are always sea lions, but it’s a bit more secluded with fewer tourists.
It’s also a surfer’s playground on days with big waves.
Tijeretas Tijeretas
Tijeretas is the most famous point on San Cristobal Island for ‘swimming with the sea lions’!
On a clear day, the water is so clear that you can see down to the bottom, even though it’s quite deep.
Unlike Playa Bay and Carola Beach, it’s not a beach but a full snorkeling spot, so the visibility is clear.
Other beaches worth checking out include Playa Loberia and Playa de los Marinos, where you can see blue-footed boobies.
“No Tocar Los Lobos Marinos” = Don’t touch the sea lions
