Day tour to San Cristobal Island with private Land Tour and snorkeling
Overview
Available languages
10 hours
Mobile ticket
This tour allows you to get to know the captial of the Galapagos: San Cristobal Island and its beautiful sites in only one day; you will not only get to see tons of sea lions and many sea lions babies, but also many marine birds, marine iguanas, sea turtles, tropical fish, sharks and even more sea lions. Moreover, you will get to see beautiful landscapes with crystal clear turquoise water and the iconic Kicker Rock.
This tour is the perfect combination of land and water, as during the snorkel activity you will get to know the abundant wildlife underwater, while three sites (Punta Carola, Tijeretas and La Loberia) allow you to get to the the most beautiful sites, species and landscapes San Cristobal has to offer on land too.
The tour includes a very good lunch menu too and you will be provided with high quality snorkel equipment and wetsuits.
Please note that the only way to get to San Cristobal is by PUBLIC SPEEDBOAT - of course they are safe but on rough sea it can get choppy!
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What To Expect
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno
At Puerto Ayora's pier before your Speedboat you could observe a variety of birds fishing, small sharks or sea lions resting on the public seats. After the speedboat ride, you will disembark at the pier of San Cristobal Island, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. It is the capital of the archipelago of Galápagos, and it is the place with the most abundante population of sea lions in all of Galapagos - they are literally everywhere; on the streets, on the banks, on the beaches, everywhere. This is the reason why San Cristobal is the perfect island to see recently born baby sea lions on one of the beaches you will visit during this tour.
Playa Punta Carola
Your private land tour will start with a nice walk of about 25 minutes through endemic and native vegetation, leading you to a stunningly beautiful coral beach where you will be able to observe many recently born sea lions babies, on the beach and playing in the water as well as sally lightfoot crabs, lava herons and pelicans. The order of the different visitor sites can also be the other way around, we always check the tide and organize the tour accordingly, so that you will get the best possible conditions for the snorkeling. This is the perfect place to take the perfect picture of a baby sea lions and if you like, you can already do the first snorkel activity from this beautiful beach.
What‘s Included
Fee charged for the use of the pier in Puerto Ayora
Soda/Pop
Lunch
Use of Snorkelling equipment
Wetsuits (long or short, as preferred)
Guía privado during the entire stay on San Cristobal Island
Fuel surcharge
Lunch menu in one of the local restaurants
Boat ride to San Cristobal round trip on a comfortable and fast speedboat
Transport with a private driver
Mesh bag to store your snorkel equipment and the wetsuit
Propinas (optional)
Water taxis to and from the speedboat ($2 in total)
Alcoholic Beverages
Options
Day tour to San Cristobal
Reviews
22 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The tour was fantastic,...
Mara M,,Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour was fantastic, spectacular, exceptional. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable. We are recommending this tour deeply
Truly a once in a lifetime experience!
9colleenn,,Jul 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This excursion was the highlight of our Island trip. Guiding Galapagos did a wonderful job of taking care of us, from beginning to end. Helping to ensure us a good placement on the boat to handle a two hour boat ride (we are land-locked people with little experience on the open ocean). Our Island guide, David, is passionate and so very knowledgable. He truly helped enhance our awareness of the protective measures and conservation in place. Our snorkelling experience was truly epic. Sea lions played all around us, too bad we can't upload videos because it was truly a once in a lifetime experience.
Well worth it!
Jason M,,Jun 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Omar was excellent in preparing us and taking care of us. David was an awesome, knowledgeable, and friendly guide. Could not ask for a better experience or staff.
Day trip to San Cristobal
Mark R,,Jun 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an amazing experience with David, our tour and snorkeling guide in San Cristobal. He was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and made us feel completely safe and comfortable in the water. Swimming with the sea lions and sea turtles was truly unforgettable, and David made sure we didn’t miss any of the highlights—including spotting the beautiful blue-footed boobies up close. He shared so much interesting information about the wildlife and the area, making the tour both fun and educational. We also want to thank the team in the office at Puerto Ayora for arranging our pick-up and drop-off at the pier so smoothly. Everyone was so helpful, organized, and welcoming from start to finish. The entire experience exceeded our expectations, and we highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the Galápagos!
Cristobal
X3088ZLjordanm,,Jun 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00First timers here in Galápagos and Omar and Felipe were a great help organizing the tour for us and explaining everything to thing to us. He made sure to meet our needs I would recommended this tour group for future needs.
It was the best...
Lizmarie C,,Jun 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was the best birthday I've ever had. We saw so many species of animals, we swam with some of them! I loved the beautiful detail the agency made for my birthday. And thanks to the two guides, who gave us quite a bit of information about San Cristobal Island.
Great experience! Felt...
Martin E,,Apr 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience! Felt very private, professional and safe, can recommend to anyone who wants to go snorkling on the Galapagos islands. David, the guide, was incredibly knowledgeable and nice. Of the three day trips we took while on the Galapagos islands, this was our absolute favorite. We got to swim with sea lions, eagle ray (though this was apparently pretty rare), sea turtles and large numbers of fish!
Excellent 🤩
Carolina O,,Apr 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Beautiful walk. We went with my partner, and everything came out barbaric. The guides David and Philip took care of everything so that we do not miss any place or animal. Super responsible and attentive. Recognizing 10/10 Thank you so much!
Good place to snorkeling - San Cristobal with David
Hongjian,,Feb 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00The organizer is responsive. The tour guide, David is very good and use his floating device while snorkeling. With him, we swam with sea lions, sting rays, turtles and tropical fish. We started from Santa Cruz. Be aware the speedboat ride back and forth took about 4 hours. So not too much time left to enjoy the other activities. After snorkeling, there is no option to take shower.
Unreal tour!
lee3334444,,Jan 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour had amazing snorkelling. We swam beside sea turtles, sea lions and marine iguanas! David the tour guide made sure that the tour was really well organised start to finish. He also knew all the great snorkelling spots as he has lived on the island his whole life. Lunch was great! If you enjoy being in the water then this tour is a must do!
From US$269.00
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Operated by Guiding Galapagos Expeditions