- Last Updated: March 29, 2024
San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos is one of the three main islands where you can scuba-dive, therefore I’ve listed the 7 best dive sites in San Cristobal you can’t miss. From hammerhead sharks to manta rays most of the dives will give you so many incredible experiences that I guarantee you you won’t forget.
Apart from scuba diving this island has adventures for all tastes, here you can see all the most famous endemic animals of the Galapagos, explore the island on land and on water, learn about its history and people and also its coffee-making tradition, and if you’ve enough time it’s also possible to explore some of the other islands nearby.
I’ve personally done the Kicker Rock dive and I’ve written a detailed article about it, which I will link together.
BEST DIVE SITES IN SAN CRISTOBAL
GENERAL INFO
San Cristobal, like all the other islands, is part of the Galapagos National Park, and therefore it has a number of things you should know:
- Most of the activities have to be done on a tour with a Naturalist guide.
- All the agencies have the same prices (although you can barter if you book more than one tour).
- Most beaches have opening and closing times (turtle nesting reasons).
- You should book your tour at least one day in advance (or you might risk not having a place on the best ones).
- Bring Seasickness Medication for the tours on the water.
- Always use strong sunscreen (Sun in the Equator line burns more).
- Have mosquito repellant with you, especially at sunset. There are horseflies in the Galapagos.
- You can’t fly a drone here unless you have a special permit from the National Park.
- You can’t rent a motorcycle or a car, everything has to be done by taxi, bus, boat, bicycle, or on foot.
- You can’t and shouldn’t touch the animals on the island.
1. KICKER ROCK
Kicker Rock is the most famous of the dive sites in San Cristobal and in the Galapagos for divers from all around the world.
Here, if you’re lucky and you’ve good visibility you can find dozens of hammerhead sharks, eagle and manta rays, Galapagos sharks, turtles, everything literally.
If you’re not a diver, you can go for a cheaper price on the same boat as your friends and snorkel here.
The snorkeling group on my tour actually saw more things than we did. So it’s a spectacular tour in both ways.
View the full blog post here: DIVING IN KICKER ROCK
2. CARAWA SHIPWRECK AND TIJERETAS BAY
Discover the wonders of Carawa SS Wreck, an Australian transport ship that found its resting place in 1920, stretching approximately 100 meters in length.
Before delving into the intriguing depths of the wreck, divers begin their journey with a check dive at Tijeretas Bay, a natural lagoon boasting crystal-clear waters and inhabited by playful sea lions and graceful green sea turtles.
View the full blog post here: DIVING IN CARAWA WRECK AND TIJERETAS BAY
3. WHALE ROCK
Another possible diving tour you can do on San Cristobal is to Whale Rock whose name comes from its similarity to a whale coming to the surface.
It’s a little less exciting than Kicker Rock but you can still find pompano fish, jacks, stonefish, sea turtles, anemones, rays, and sometimes sharks.
Check the Whale Rock dives on Planet Ocean Galapagos’s website.
4. PUNTA PITT
If you’ve done the 360 Tour then you probably recognize this place. It’s where you do the birdwatching on that tour.
It is the northeasternmost point of San Cristobal and the turning point from the wild to the calm sea (protected by the island). It is therefore packed with marine life and birds.
On this tour, you have two dives or you can snorkel if you aren’t a certified diver.
In the end, you go to Cerro Pitt hill for some birdwatching and inland exploring or just stay at the beach relaxing.
Check the Punta Pitt dive/snorkel trip on Wreck Bay’s website.
5. NIGHT DIVE IN SAN CRISTOBAL
A night dive in the Galapagos. This would also be on my top 3 list of dive sites in San Cristobal if I had known of its existence.
Imagine all the life you see during the day in the water here in the Galapagos, multiplied by 100.
During the night the animals are much more active than during the day so you have the most chance of encountering special and rare animals on night dives.
You will also see their true and vibrant colors due to your flashlight.
It’s amazing to dive at night. If you like diving this is definitely a thing you should do in San Cristobal.
Check the Night Dives on Planet Ocean Galapagos website.
6. ESPAÑOLA ISLAND
Española Island is home to many endemic species in the Galapagos. They only exist on this island. This is not one of the dive sites in San Cristobal but in Española island, however, you must depart from San Cristobal to come here.
It’s a day tour and it’s the only big island (not counting Santa Cruz island) you can visit on a day trip from San Cristobal.
Here you can find a special marine iguana with green and red coloration, a waved albatross colony (it’s their only breeding site in the world), the Española mockingbird, the Española lava lizard, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, and many other unique species.
There is also a part of the tour where you snorkel or dive in Gardner Islet and find many underwater wonders.
Check the Española dive on Wreck Bay’s website.
7. CAVE DIVE IN BARRANCO CAVE
And to conclude this list a cave diving tour. For all diving aficionados, it’s another type of dive you can do in San Cristobal.
According to their website, you will see nudibranchs, many different types of fish, sea stars, and lobsters and you will dive from 23 meters to 34 meters deep (specific certification required probably).
In any case, do contact them if you’d like to try it as I think you can do it as a specialty course.
Check the Cave and Wall Barranco dive on Planet Ocean Galapagos website.
BEST DIVE SITES IN SAN CRISTOBAL
WHERE TO STAY
San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos has a range of accommodation options to choose from, and we’ve narrowed down the top three choices for you.
If you’re seeking a luxurious and modern lodging experience, Hotel Indigo in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is the perfect option for you. For a private and romantic getaway, Villa Bonita Guest House offers a charming villa with a private pool and all modern amenities. And for budget-conscious travelers, Cactus Hostal is a great choice with its colorful rooms, socializing areas, and convenient services.
To learn more about these options and other accommodation choices, check out the full article:
The Most Complete Guide & Map of Ecuador
+300 Unique Places: Galapagos - Amazon - Andes - Coast
Unlock exclusive access to hidden gems and local insights with my guide! Your purchase fuels my dedication to providing free travel content and supports my passion for sharing the best of Ecuador. Plus, enjoy lifetime updates and personalized assistance. Let’s explore together!
ALL THE ARTICLES ABOUT THE GALAPAGOS
San Cristobal Island – The easternmost island of the Galapagos, the “Isla Bonita”
Santa Cruz Island – The island with the best tourism infrastructure.
Isabela Island – The most adventurous and less explored island of the main three.
