Punta Pitt & Kicker Rock

All three Boobies in one Spot & One of Galápagos’ Best Snorkel Site

Punta Pitt & Kicker Rock Tour

Embark on an extraordinary journey to Punta Pitt and Kicker Rock on San Cristobal Island, where the wild heart of the Galapagos Islands comes alive. Dive into the turquoise waters of Kicker Rock (León Dormido) for an unforgettable snorkeling experience alongside hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, rays, and playful Galapagos sea lions.

Then walk along golden-green volcanic sands and witness a rare natural gathering of blue-footed, red-footed, and Nazca boobies in a breathtaking coastal display. Hike through rugged, otherworldly landscapes carved by ancient lava flows, uncovering the geological secrets of this remote island. This tour offers the ultimate combination of land and sea adventure—an intimate encounter with the unique wildlife and volcanic beauty of the Galapagos.

Best time to Go:

All Year Around

Focus:

Nesting of all three Boobies & Marine Life

Availability:

2026: Thursday or Saturday 6:50 ---- 2027: Monday or Saturday 6:50

Duration:

10 Hours

Small Groups:

Only 16 guests

Experience Level:

Longer Hiking on uneven Terrain

Punta Pitt & Kicker Rock Day Tour Itinerary: What to Expect

Snorkeling at Kicker Rock:

The Best Snorkeling Site in San Cristobal

Your day begins early in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. At 6:50 am, you leave the port and head out into the open ocean. After about an hour of navigation, Kicker Rock comes into view — two enormous volcanic walls rising dramatically from the sea.

As you approach the rock, the scale of the formation becomes even more impressive. There is something special about entering the water here: above you, the dark volcanic cliffs tower out of the ocean, while below the surface, the underwater world continues around you. Once you’re in the water, you move along the rock formation with your guide, looking for movement beneath the surface and keeping an eye on the deeper water around you. Kicker Rock is home to Hammerhead, black-tip and white-tip reef sharks, sea lions, sea turtles, rays, and bait balls of fish, making every swim through the channel an opportunity for a close encounter with the marine life that lives here. Above the water, blue-footed and Nazca boobies and frigatebirds can often be seen around the towering cliffs.

From Kicker Rock to Remote Punta Pitt

After your time in the water, climb back aboard and enjoy a well-deserved snack while the boat continues east towards Punta Pitt. The next 1.5 hours take you further away from the more visited areas of San Cristóbal and along its remote eastern coastline.

Keep your eyes on the horizon as you cross the open ocean. Dolphin sightings are quite frequent on this stretch of the journey, and seabirds can often be spotted flying alongside the boat or resting on the water.

As the boat gets closer to Punta Pitt, the coastline becomes increasingly wild and isolated. There are just volcanic cliffs, dry vegetation and the open Pacific. After the excitement of snorkeling at Kicker Rock, this quieter stretch of the journey gives you time to take in the landscape and get ready for the second part of your adventure.

Once you arrive at Punta Pitt, we’ll prepare lunch before setting off on the hike. With the remote coastline around you and the boat anchored offshore, it is the perfect place to slow down, enjoy a freshly prepared meal and recharge before exploring the area on foot.

Tour to Punta Pitt: View of the bright-blue ocean from the volcanic landscape of Punta Pitt

Hike Through Punta Pitt’s Wildlife Haven

After lunch, it’s time to explore Punta Pitt on foot. The landing itself is part of the adventure: you’ll make a wet landing by dinghy onto the olivine beach, where you put your hiking boots back on before starting the trail. Keep an eye along the beach — it is not unusual to find large sea lions resting here before you head uphill.

The trail begins directly from the beach and climbs towards the top of Punta Pitt. The first 10 to 15 minutes are the most demanding part of the hike. The path was naturally shaped by rainwater draining down from the higher ground, making this section somewhat uneven and narrow in places. The ascent is not particularly long, but a reasonable level of fitness is recommended. If you have knee problems, we recommend bringing hiking poles for additional support.

Once you reach the higher part of the trail, the experience changes completely. Blue-footed and Nazca boobies begin appearing along the route, and your guide can point out the fascinating differences in where the three Galápagos booby species choose to nest. Blue-footed boobies prefer hard ground, Nazca boobies tend to nest around cliffs, while red-footed boobies make their nests in trees/shrubs.

The 1.5-hour hike continues through a landscape that changes remarkably as you move across the peninsula. You begin on the pale olivine beach, then climb through a dry, rocky section before reaching areas further inland where shrubs such as Nolana and red carpet weed cover the ground. This is where you can find all three booby species in the same area, making Punta Pitt particularly special for bird enthusiasts and photographers.

As you walk, the seemingly endless blue Pacific stretches out around you. From time to time, you may spot frigatebirds soaring overhead, and if you’re lucky, you might see a male displaying his striking red throat pouch in the vegetation around the cliffs. There is time to stop, observe and photograph rather than simply following a trail from one viewpoint to the next.

Eventually, the trail brings you back down towards the sandy beach where you started. From here, you’ll board the dinghy once again, return to the boat and finally navigate back to port, completing a loop through one of the most remote and wildlife-rich corners of San Cristóbal.

Why Choose Punta Pitt & Kicker Rock?

This is a tour for travelers who want to go beyond the usual Galápagos highlights and combine two very different wildlife experiences into one day.

What makes this tour special:

  • Two unique experiences in one day — combine the underwater world of Kicker Rock with the remote landscapes and birdlife of Punta Pitt.
  • Off the beaten path — travel beyond the more accessible areas of San Cristóbal and explore its wild eastern coast.
  • Close wildlife encounters — spend time observing wildlife both in the water and on land, rather than simply viewing it from a distance.
  • Made for photographers — dramatic volcanic formations, seabirds, marine life and remote coastal landscapes give you very different subjects throughout the day.
  • A real adventure — a full day combining snorkeling, hiking and a long open-ocean navigation, rather than a simple sightseeing excursion.

Who this tour is perfect for:

  • Wildlife enthusiasts — for travelers who want to spend the day actively looking for animals and observing their behaviour.
  • Photographers — especially those looking for a mix of marine life, birds, landscapes and more unusual perspectives.
  • Hikers & active travelers — for those who enjoy getting out of the boat and exploring a destination on foot.
  • Confident snorkelers — for travelers who want to combine a meaningful snorkeling experience with a land-based wildlife adventure.
  • Off-the-beaten-path travelers — for anyone more interested in discovering something remote and distinctive than following the most typical Galápagos itinerary.

Inclusions

What can I discover on the tour to Punta Pitt?

Packing List

Sun Protection & Glasses

Bring a wide-brimmed hat (recommendable with a string), sunglasses & reef-safe sun screen

Swim Wear/Rashguard

We highly recommend a Rashguard against the high radiation.

Camera/Go Pro

Capture your adventures and take home the best souvenir possible

Rain Jacket (Optional)

A rain jacket during the rainy season and for early morning Garúa is recommended.

Good Walking Shoes

Choose stable walking or hiking shoes. The path is uneven.

Refillable Water Bottle

Bring a refillable Water Bottle to stay hydrate.

Reserve your Spot to Punta Pitt & Kicker Rock

Please contact us before booking.

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