San Cristóbal
San Cristóbal Island is one of the oldest islands in Galapagos and it can be found in the easternmost part of the archipelago. It was named after Saint Christopher, the Catholic patron saint of sailors. It also has an English name, Chatham Island, in honour of William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, prime minister of Great Britain in the 18th century, who visited the island. Its origin is volcanic, and it is actually made of a few extinct merged volcanoes and, at 215 square miles, it is one of the large islands of the archipelago.
The island has a rich history, having one of the oldest permanent settlements in the archipelago because, compared to other islands, fresh water was available on the island. It is also the first island visited by Charles Darwin in 1835. Later on, from a penal colony, San Cristóbal became a military base.
San Cristóbal Island is inhabited by almost 6 000 people, and it is the second island in terms of population, after Santa Cruz Island. Due to the fact that it has an airport, San Cristobal Airport, it is the point of departure for many Galapagos tours or a regular stop for many island cruises. The island is home to the small town Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, capital of the Galapagos islands. You can visit the Interpretation Center here, open since 1998, where you can see exhibitions on the formation of the Galapagos islands, on the history of their colonization and on the conservation movements aiming to protect the islands' wildlife and their natural habitats. Behind the Interpretation Center there is a trail you can follow and reach the top of Frigate Bird Hill, that offers an amazing vista over Shipwreck Bay and Kicker Rock.
El Junco Lagoon, a fresh-water crater lake, can be found 19 km from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and, according to scientists, the lake has existed since the end of the ice age. On your trek to El Junco, you can spot common gallinules, frigate birds and white-cheeked pintails.
Witch Hill or Cerro Brujo is an eroded hill on the northern side of San Cristóbal Island, featuring one of the most stunning white sand beaches in Galapagos. Its beauty and the diversity of wildlife here make it a perfect stop on your trip. The waters are clear, perfect for swimming and snorkeling, where you can spot sea turtles and rays.
Kicker Rock or León Dormido (Sleeping Lion) is a stunning rock formation, a famous landmark near San Cristóbal Island, off its western shore. Rising 140m above the ocean, the rock is actually the remains of an eroded volcanic cone. There is no landing site, so you can visit it from you Galapagos islands cruise, as it is a great site for snorkeling and diving. Besides the stunning location, the site is a real marine paradise, where you can encounter reef fish, sharks, turtles and octopuses.
La Galapaguera or Jacinto Gordillo Tortoise Breeding Center is a popular visitor site 1-hour distance from the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, in the northeastern part of San Cristóbal Island. Here you can see tortoises roaming in semi-natural habitats in all stages of growth, from hatchlings until they are 120 days old, when they are taken back to their natural environment.
San Cristóbal Island features some amazing beaches as well: La Loberia Beach and Puerto Chino Beach, white sand beaches with turquoise water, perfect for snorkeling and swimming with sea lions and sea turtles.
The island has a rich history, having one of the oldest permanent settlements in the archipelago because, compared to other islands, fresh water was available on the island. It is also the first island visited by Charles Darwin in 1835. Later on, from a penal colony, San Cristóbal became a military base.
San Cristóbal Island is inhabited by almost 6 000 people, and it is the second island in terms of population, after Santa Cruz Island. Due to the fact that it has an airport, San Cristobal Airport, it is the point of departure for many Galapagos tours or a regular stop for many island cruises. The island is home to the small town Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, capital of the Galapagos islands. You can visit the Interpretation Center here, open since 1998, where you can see exhibitions on the formation of the Galapagos islands, on the history of their colonization and on the conservation movements aiming to protect the islands' wildlife and their natural habitats. Behind the Interpretation Center there is a trail you can follow and reach the top of Frigate Bird Hill, that offers an amazing vista over Shipwreck Bay and Kicker Rock.
El Junco Lagoon, a fresh-water crater lake, can be found 19 km from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and, according to scientists, the lake has existed since the end of the ice age. On your trek to El Junco, you can spot common gallinules, frigate birds and white-cheeked pintails.
Witch Hill or Cerro Brujo is an eroded hill on the northern side of San Cristóbal Island, featuring one of the most stunning white sand beaches in Galapagos. Its beauty and the diversity of wildlife here make it a perfect stop on your trip. The waters are clear, perfect for swimming and snorkeling, where you can spot sea turtles and rays.
Kicker Rock or León Dormido (Sleeping Lion) is a stunning rock formation, a famous landmark near San Cristóbal Island, off its western shore. Rising 140m above the ocean, the rock is actually the remains of an eroded volcanic cone. There is no landing site, so you can visit it from you Galapagos islands cruise, as it is a great site for snorkeling and diving. Besides the stunning location, the site is a real marine paradise, where you can encounter reef fish, sharks, turtles and octopuses.
La Galapaguera or Jacinto Gordillo Tortoise Breeding Center is a popular visitor site 1-hour distance from the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, in the northeastern part of San Cristóbal Island. Here you can see tortoises roaming in semi-natural habitats in all stages of growth, from hatchlings until they are 120 days old, when they are taken back to their natural environment.
San Cristóbal Island features some amazing beaches as well: La Loberia Beach and Puerto Chino Beach, white sand beaches with turquoise water, perfect for snorkeling and swimming with sea lions and sea turtles.
San Cristóbal Fast Facts:
- San Cristóbal Island has the oldest permanent settlement in Galapagos.
- San Cristóbal Island is the first island visited by Charles Darwin in 1835.
- El Junco Lagoon is a fresh water crater lake that exists since the end of the ice ages.
Animals:
American Oystercatcher, Belted Kingfisher, Blue-Footed Booby, Brown Pelican, Darwin’s Finches, Galapagos Dove, Galapagos Frigatebirds, Galapagos Fur Seal, Galapagos Giant Tortoise, Galapagos Green Turtle, Galapagos Land Iguana, Galapagos Lava Gull, Galapagos Lava Heron, Galapagos Lava Lizard, Galapagos Marine Iguana, Galapagos Mockingbird, Galapagos Petrel, Galapagos Rail, Galapagos Red Bat, Galapagos Sea Lion, Galapagos Sharks, Galapagos Shearwater, Galapagos Sting Rays, Great Blue Heron, Nazca Booby, Red-Footed Booby, Red-lipped Batfish, Vermilion Flycatcher, White-cheeked Pintail, Yellow-crowned Night Heron
San Cristóbal Visitor Sites:
El Junco Lagoon is a lake formed in a volcanic crater in the highlands of San Cristóbal Island, 700m above sea level. Its name comes from the local flowering plants known as sedges (El Junco in Spanish) and it is t... More Information
The Interpretation Center Gianny Arismendi is located in San Cristóbal Island, and its purpose is to offer a thorough history of Galapagos and giving an insight into the unique wildlife and habitats of the islands.... More Information
A famous landmark near San Cristobal Island, Kicker Rock is a stunning rock formation. Being the remains of a vertical tuff cone, it rises almost 500 ft above the water. It draws its name from its shape caused by er... More Information
Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado is located to the south-east of San Cristobal Island, near Cerro Colorado, hence its name, one of the few spots where you can observe an endemic plant of the island, Calandrinia galapag... More Information
Lobos Islet is located 6 miles north of San Cristobal Island and it was named after the sea lions you can encounter everywhere on the island. It's a good site for snorkeling and diving, and you'll most likely be pla... More Information
Pitt Point, locally known as Punta Pitt, is located on the eastern coast of San Cristobal Island. The site is a volcanic tuff formation, famous for being a nesting spot for many species of seabirds. It is one of the... More Information
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, located on the southwestern side of San Cristobal Island, is the capital town of Galapagos Province and it is the oldest settlement on the islands. Founded in the mid 1800s, it was named in ... More Information
Located 24 km from the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Puerto Chino is a gorgeous white-sand beach that can be reached by following an easy trail for a 15-minute walk. On the path, you can observe Finches, mockingb... More Information
Tijeretas Hill is located on San Cristobal Island and it looks out over Shipwreck Bay and Kicker Rock, offering magnificent views. It is also known as Frigatebird Hill and there are two species of frigates that have... More Information
Witch Hill, locally known as Cerro Brujo, is located on the north side of San Cristobal Island. It is an eroded volcanic tuff cone with a stunning white coral sand beach at the base. Witch Hill offers magnificent vi... More Information
Witch Hill, locally known as Cerro Brujo, is located on the north side of San Cristobal Island. It is an eroded volcanic tuff cone with a stunning white coral sand beach at the base. Witch Hill offers magnificent vi... More Information
The Interpretation Center Gianny Arismendi is located in San Cristóbal Island, and its purpose is to offer a thorough history of Galapagos and giving an insight into the unique wildlife and habitats of the islands.... More Information
Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado is located to the south-east of San Cristobal Island, near Cerro Colorado, hence its name, one of the few spots where you can observe an endemic plant of the island, Calandrinia galapag... More Information
Breeding Center David Rodriguez is located on the south-eastern side of San Cristobal Island. With a total area of 1415 m2, the purpose of this center is to increase the population of giant tortoises, more specifica... More Information
San Cristóbal Island in Galapagos is served by San Cristóbal Airport, one of the two airports in the archipelago, located on the southwestern part of the island, in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Just 5 minu... More Information
Book your cruise with us to save more than
$1,000+ in Mindo All Inclusive Programs
by Las Terrazas de Dana Boutique Lodge & Spa
Bird Photography Tour: Ecuador Andean Choco & East Slope
Scheduled Group Departure 2023
Max group: 6 photographers!
Price: $3,600 USD
per person sharing double room
* Single supplement: $720
Dates:
2023
Tour details:
Length: 12 Days
Start / End city: Quito
Pace: Easy
Physical difficulty: Easy
Focus: Bird photography
Max group size: 6 photographers