Chinese Hat

About the site

Chinese Hat

Chinese Hat, or Sombrero Chino, is a small volcanic islet off the southeast coast of Santiago, named for its perfect cone shape. The yachts anchor in the narrow, sheltered channel that separates it from Santiago, one of the most beautiful anchorages in the Galápagos.

A wet landing on a small white beach leads to a short trail along the coast, across young lava with lava tubes, spatter cones and pillow-like lava formations. Sea lions rest on the beach, marine iguanas and Sally Lightfoot crabs cover the black rocks, and American oystercatchers feed at the water's edge. The view of Santiago's lava fields across the channel is striking.

The channel is an excellent snorkeling site, calm and protected by Santiago, with sea lions, sea turtles, white-tipped reef sharks and schools of reef fish. Galápagos penguins are often seen on the rocks or fishing in the channel, and with luck they swim beside you.

The trail is short, but the lava is sharp and uneven in places and there is no shade. Some itineraries offer kayaking in the calm water of the channel.

Highlights

• Birdwatching
• White Sandy Beach