San Cristóbal Kayaking Tour – Tijeretas & Darwin Bay Snorkeling with Birdwatching.
fromSan Cristóbal Kayaking Tour – Tijeretas & Darwin Bay Snorkeling with Birdwatching.
Our San Cristóbal kayaking tour is a unique way to explore the coastline of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno from the water, paddling from Playa Mann past Punta Carola all the way to Darwin Bay. Along the way you’ll spot resting colonies of blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, pelicans, and lava gulls, often escorted by playful sea lions. The tour also includes a short hike up to the Barranco de Tijeretas viewpoint, with sweeping views over Darwin Bay, followed by snorkeling in its crystal-clear, protected waters. An optional extension to the secluded Playa Baquerizo is available for those who want to keep exploring.
Looking for more options in the area? Check out our excursions in San Cristóbal, and for official park regulations visit the Galápagos National Park Directorate.
San Cristóbal Kayaking Tour Itinerary
09:00 – 09:15 | Pick-up & check-in at Playa Mann
Meet your naturalist guide at Playa Mann. Safety briefing, kayak fitting, and life vests.
09:15 – 09:45 | Kayaking to Punta Carola – Birdwatching
Paddle along the rocky coastline toward Punta Carola, one of the best birdwatching spots on San Cristóbal. Look out for blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, pelicans, and lava gulls resting on the cliffs, with sea lions often swimming alongside the kayaks.
09:45 – 10:15 | Kayaking to Darwin Bay
Continue paddling around the point toward Darwin Bay, passing dramatic volcanic coastline and more seabird colonies along the way.
10:15 – 10:35 | Hike to Barranco de Tijeretas Viewpoint
A short, easy trail leads up to the Cerro Tijeretas lookout, offering one of the most photographed panoramic views in San Cristóbal, overlooking the turquoise waters of Darwin Bay.
10:35 – 11:20 | Darwin Bay – Snorkeling
Snorkel in the calm, protected waters of Darwin Bay, home to sea turtles, sea lions, reef fish, and occasional reef sharks and rays.
11:20 – 11:50 | Kayaking back to Playa Mann
12:00 | Tour ends
Optional | Playa Baquerizo Extension
For those who want to keep exploring, an optional add-on continues along the ridge trail past Tijeretas to the secluded Playa Baquerizo, a quiet, hike-in-only beach with excellent snorkeling. This extension adds approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to the tour.
What’s Included in the San Cristóbal Kayaking Tour
- Bilingual certified naturalist guide
- Kayak, paddle, and life vest
- Snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, fins)
- Bottled water and snacks
- Galápagos National Park entrance coordination
Not Included in the San Cristóbal Kayaking Tour
- Galápagos National Park entrance fee ($200 USD, paid on arrival)
- Transit Control Card (INGALA, $20 USD)
Tips - Wetsuit rental (recommended, water can be cool)
- Hotel–beach transfer (depending on operator)
Playa Baquerizo extension (available as an optional add-on)
Requirements
- Basic swimming ability for snorkeling
- Good general physical condition for paddling (approx. 1 hour of kayaking each way)
- Comfortable water shoes or sandals recommended
- No previous kayaking experience required
Recommendations
Ready to paddle among sea lions and snorkel in one of San Cristóbal’s most scenic bays? Book your San Cristóbal kayaking tour today for an active, up-close encounter with Galápagos wildlife.
- Bring biodegradable sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses with a strap
- Wear quick-dry clothing – you will get splashed
- Waterproof bag or case for phones and cameras is strongly recommended
- Book in advance: spots are limited due to Galápagos National Park regulation
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Vacation Style Holiday TypeGuided Tours
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Activity Level Challenging
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Group Size Medium Group
The Tour lasts approximately 4 hours, in which you will be able to observe sea birds. You will snorkel in a magnificent place, where Charles Darwin made his first landing on board the Beagle.
The activity will begin on one of the beaches of San Cristobal known for its large colony of Galapagos Sea Lions. Here we will give indications of the route to follow, in addition to the weather conditions, since it is very important to be able to identify these factors.
Leaving from Playa Mann (this is the best place to read the wind and current) towards the other coast of the island, we will find an old pier known as Muelle La Pedrial, where you can see a colony of Blue-footed Boobies, and don’t forget the sea lions that will pose for us as we pass.
At the end of the activity, you will enter the reefs of Punta Carola towards the other side of the coast, here we will make our second stop.
Our last stop will be at Bahia Darwin, where the kayak activity will take place. At the end of this fun experience we will make a safe landing to start the snorkeling activity, which will last approximately 45 minutes, depending on the weather conditions. Here you will come face to face with a marine sanctuary where you will swim with turtle fish and sea lions over the coral reef.
- Certified guide
- Towels
- An experience of Ecuadorian cuisine
