Santa Cristobal Island
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ACTIVITIES
BIRDWATCHING
Bird-watching tours can be arranged at Chalo Tours (situated on Av. Espanola) at a cost of $10. This cost basically pays for the naturalist guide. The best place to do this is at Las Negritas and I found the experience very enjoyable. First, you must take a taxi to La Loberia then walk across the beach to the black volcanic rocks.
On the way, you will pass sleeping sea-lions. Presently (mid October) there are a lot of new born cubs and it’s endearing to see them feeding with their mothers. It’s important to wear good footwear as the trip involves climbing over some large and sometimes unstable rocks.
It’s also not advisable for people who have very low fitness or have problems with their legs. In saying that, the walk is reasonably easy for those with normal fitness levels.
Once you reach the rocks, it takes roughly fifteen minutes to walk to the spot and on the way you pass huge Marine iguanas and small lava lizards darting about. At the top of the cliffs, you can sit and observe the birds. It’s a peaceful place to sit with views of the turquoise ocean and only the sound of crashing waves.
From here we could see marine turtles poking up their heads above the white foam. Perched on the dark cliff sides, we saw Blue Footed Boobies and Swallow Tail Gulls. Frigate birds flew overhead and at one point came down and swooped past us closely, as if showing off their beautiful form. We were really lucky to see the all-over white Tropic Bird flying nearby. Moving down the rocks, we managed to get a closer look at the Swallow Tail Gull.
This was the red-ringed eye variety (there is also a blue-ringed eye). It was amazing to sit and watch this creature, so at one with it’s surroundings and seeming so fragile. Although we didn’t see them, here you can also spot Masked Boobies, Yellow Warblers, Darwin Finches and very occasionally, Hawks.
The guide Vicotor, was very informative and could answer in detail all of the questions I asked him. I noticed at one point that some Iguanas had a streak of green on their backs whilst others had red. When I asked why, it was interesting to find out that their backs turn red when it’s coming into mating season.
I also found out that when they spit they are getting rid of the salt from the seawater, which they extract in their mouths and not, as I thought, hissing and getting ready to attack me! They are in fact very placid creatures. Make sure you wear a high factor suntan cream, a hat, possibly a thin raincoat depending on how the weather seems and wear good strong footwear. A very enjoyable trip and definitely recommended to bird enthusiasts.
KAYAKING
Travel the San Cristobal Islands with sea kayak paddle in hand. Like other travelers, you'll marveled with their oceanic geologic origins, rich sea life and diverse wildlife. Every sea kayaker seeks that pristine marine environment, with calm inviting waters and intricate coast lines.
The sea kayak is a low-impact, non-technical self propelled craft that has been used for centuries by the ancient Inuit culture in the Arctic Ocean. Imagine yourself in the Galapagos Islands, gliding into a solitary bay and finding a beach inhabited solely by sea lions, marine turtles or large, mysterious marine iguanas. Or imagine kayaking in the warm misty ocean and out of the clear a marine turtle comes up for air right next to you. Explore lava channels, coves, turquoise waters, white sand beaches, up-close from your kayak.
Galapagos Cruises: handpicked yachts and cruises in the Galapagos Islands, last minute deals and group discounts on Galapagos cruises.