Snorkel at Kicker Rock

The highlight tour on Cristobal, and possibly the Galapagos, is Kicker Rock (aka Leon Dormido aka The Sleeping Lio). This rock formation rises out of the ocean a 45min boat ride from the main town. It features two giant splits in the rock that have created channels you can snorkel through. There are two types of Kicker Rock tours, an “around this island” tour, that circles San Cristobal with a stop at Kicker, and one that visits a beach near Cerro Brujo before heading out to Kicker. I’d recommend the latter. You’ll have time to explore and snorkel on a beautiful beach, have lunch, and then head out to the main event. 

Snorkeling at Kicker Rock is both exhilarating and incredible. It’s in the middle of the ocean, so big swells and currents are possible. You’ll get to snorkel first through a small channel in the rock no more than 10 ft wide (where we were joined by 2 playful sea lions). Following that, you’ll swim through the main large channel, looking for hammerhead sharks, white and black tipped reef sharks, Galapagos sharks, sea turtles, myriads of fish, multiple types of rays and more sea lions. It was hands down one of the coolest things I’ve done EVER.