Visitor site · Santiago Island
Chinese Hat (Sombrero Chino), Galápagos: a cone-shaped islet off Santiago with young lava, sea lions and snorkeling with penguins in a calm channel.
About the site
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.
Live dates & prices
32 yachts include Chinese Hat in their routes, with 1,704 upcoming departures from US$2,165 per person. These are the next ones.
| Departure | Yacht | Route | Price per person | Mindo gift | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | |||||
| 8 – 12 Nov5 days / 4 nights |
 Galapagos Sea StarLuxury motor yacht · 16 guests
|
5B · Genovesa, Bartolomé & SantiagoBaltra | US$3,845 |
+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included | See departure2 places left |
| 8 – 15 Nov8 days / 7 nights |
 Grand Queen BeatrizFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests
|
B · Bartolomé, Santiago, North Seymour & RábidaSan Cristóbal → Baltra | US$4,973 | + Mindo PlusActivity tickets included | See departure1 place left |
| 11 – 15 Nov5 days / 4 nights |
Grand Queen BeatrizFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests
|
B · Santiago, North Seymour & RábidaBaltra | US$2,842 | Complimentary nightsAll meals & transfers | See departure1 place left |
| 11 – 18 Nov8 days / 7 nights |
Grand Queen BeatrizFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests
|
D · Isabela, Floreana, Santiago & North SeymourBaltra | US$7,675 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure1 place left |
| 12 – 17 Nov6 days / 5 nights |
 Galaxy SiriusLuxury catamaran · 16 guests
|
C · Genovesa, Bartolomé & North SeymourBaltra → San Cristóbal | US$5,680 |
★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departureAvailable |
| 12 – 15 Nov4 days / 3 nights |
 HermesLuxury catamaran · 20 guests
|
D · Genovesa & SantiagoBaltra | US$7,095 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure1 place left |
| 12 – 19 Nov8 days / 7 nights |
HermesLuxury catamaran · 20 guests
|
D+A · Genovesa, Fernandina, Isabela & North SeymourBaltra | US$14,495 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure1 place left |
| 15 – 22 Nov8 days / 7 nights |
 Origin, Theory & EvolveLuxury motor yacht · 20 guests
|
A · Española, Floreana, Bartolomé & North SeymourSan Cristóbal | US$10,950 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departureAvailable |
| 18 Nov – 2 Dec15 days / 14 nights |
 Cachalote ExplorerFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests
|
Genovesa, Española, Fernandina & IsabelaBaltra | US$9,450 | ★ All-InclusiveWith private guide | See departure2 places left |
| 19 – 23 Nov5 days / 4 nights |
 AlyaLuxury catamaran · 16 guests
|
A · Genovesa, Bartolomé & SantiagoBaltra | US$4,140 |
+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included | See departureAvailable |
| 19 – 23 Nov5 days / 4 nights |
 MonserratFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests
|
B · Santiago, North Seymour & Santa FeBaltra → San Cristóbal | US$3,226 |
Complimentary nightsAll meals & transfers | See departureAvailable |
| 19 – 26 Nov8 days / 7 nights |
MonserratFirst Class motor yacht · 16 guests
|
B+C · Española, Floreana, Santiago & North SeymourBaltra | US$4,841 |
+ Mindo PlusActivity tickets included | See departure2 places left |
Luxury catamaran · 16 guests
Endemic
Santiago Island
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