San Cristobal Island
San Cristobal or Chatham was the first island that Charles Darwin visited, and the island has a colorful human history that goes back almost two centuries. Early in the morning we arrived to Punta Pitt, an impressive tuff cone at the northeastern end of this large island. Here we landed at a beautiful, very soft, golden beach where many sea lions were expecting us. Behind the beach there is a trail that goes all the way up to the plateau, colored by red patches of sesuvium edmonstonei and nolana galapaguensis. Views of the volcanic landscape and the bay are fantastic, and we could see where all three species of boobies, including the red-footed boobies, nest on the cliffs.
After that vigorous hike we all had the chance to swim on the beach, accompanied as always by the noise of curious sea lions.
During lunch, we sailed towards a scenic offshore islet, located near the western coast of San Cristobal Island, called Leon Dormido, or Kicker Rock, which is the remainder of a volcanic tuff cone that has split in two. Here we enjoyed some spectacular snorkeling among Galápagos sharks, scalloped hammerhead sharks, and schools of large spotted eagle rays.
After our last deep-water snorkeling adventure, the best of the entire week, and once everybody was back aboard, we enjoyed the sunset with some drinks on deck while circumnavigating this unique formation. Later on our guests had the chance to prove their knowledge with our Galápagos’ Geo Bee contest, and after that we are sure they will remember what they have learned here.
In the evening our captain offered our traditional Farewell Cocktail and after dinner, some guests went ashore for a walk in the lovely town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, home not only to some 5,000 human inhabitants but also home to a large sea lion colony.
Galápagos is unique and incomparable to any region of our planet. After a week with us, our guests know why we need to protect it forever and why any support plays a key role in its conservation.
