San Cristóbal - Kicker Rock & Beach Tour
Snorkeling or Diving
San Cristóbal - Kicker Rock & Beach Tour
The Perfect Balance Between Relaxation and Adventure
The Kicker Rock & Beach Tour is one of the most popular experiences on San Cristóbal Island, combining one of the Galápagos' most iconic snorkeling sites with the opportunity to relax on a pristine white-sand beach. Rather than visiting multiple destinations in a single day, this tour is designed to let you fully enjoy each location at a comfortable pace. It is the perfect choice for travelers looking to combine breathtaking marine life with time to unwind in one of the island's most beautiful coastal settings.
Day 1
San Cristóbal Kicker Rock & Beach Tour
Snorkeling at Kicker Rock and Beach Relaxation
The Perfect Balance Between Relaxation and Adventure
The Kicker Rock & Beach Tour is one of the most popular experiences on San Cristóbal Island, combining one of the Galápagos' most iconic snorkeling sites with the opportunity to relax on a pristine white-sand beach. Rather than visiting multiple destinations in a single day, this tour is designed to let you fully enjoy each location at a comfortable pace. It is the perfect choice for travelers looking to combine breathtaking marine life with time to unwind in one of the island's most beautiful coastal settings.
The tour begins in the morning from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, heading first to one of the beaches authorized by the Galápagos National Park before continuing to Kicker Rock (León Dormido) for the day's main snorkeling experience.
Kicker Rock (León Dormido) Snorkeling
The highlight of the day is Kicker Rock, one of the most famous snorkeling sites in the Galápagos Islands. This impressive volcanic formation rises nearly 148 meters (485 feet) above the Pacific Ocean and is divided into two towering cliffs that create a natural channel rich in marine life. Here you'll enjoy a guided snorkeling experience where, depending on the season and ocean conditions, you may encounter hammerhead sharks, white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, rays, large schools of tropical fish, and sea lions. The nutrient-rich waters surrounding Kicker Rock make it one of the best places in the archipelago to experience the incredible underwater biodiversity that has made the Galápagos world-famous. Above the surface, the towering cliffs are home to Blue-footed Boobies, Nazca Boobies, pelicans, and frigatebirds, making this an excellent location for wildlife observation and photography.
Beach Experience - The beach visited (Cerro Brujo, Manglecito, or Puerto Grande) depends on the itinerary authorized by the Galápagos National Park and daily operational conditions.
Cerro Brujo
One of the island's most spectacular beaches, famous for its white coral sand, turquoise waters, and breathtaking volcanic scenery. It's an ideal place to walk along the shoreline, relax, swim, observe seabirds, and admire incredible views of Kicker Rock in the distance.
Manglecito
A peaceful beach surrounded by lush mangroves and vibrant native vegetation creates a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The calm atmosphere invites you to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature, making it an ideal spot for birdwatching as you observe various species in their natural habitat. You can take a refreshing swim in the gentle waves, or simply relax on the soft sand while listening to the soothing sounds of the ocean. This hidden gem offers a perfect retreat to unwind and reconnect with nature, far away from the crowds and the noise of the city.
Puerto Grande - A Sensitive Shark Nursery
Area Puerto Grande is a beautiful coastal area of San Cristóbal that also serves as an important shark breeding and nursery zone. Because of its ecological sensitivity, SharkSky chooses not to include this beach in our regular itinerary or specifically request visits there. For us, protecting the places we explore is part of the experience itself. Avoiding unnecessary tourist pressure in areas used for shark reproduction and development helps reduce disturbance to this fragile marine environment. Other authorized operators may include Puerto Grande in their itineraries, so when we assist with availability on another vessel, the beach visited may occasionally differ from our own route. At SharkSky, conservation is not an added feature — it is part of how we choose where and how we operate.
Is This Tour Right for You?
The Kicker Rock & Beach Tour is ideal for travelers whose priority is spending quality time at León Dormido while also enjoying one of San Cristóbal's beautiful beaches. Compared to the 360° Tour, this excursion involves less navigation, allowing more time to relax, snorkel, and enjoy each destination without feeling rushed. It is an excellent choice for travelers seeking a balanced day that combines marine wildlife, spectacular scenery, and a relaxing beach experience. Wildlife You May Encounter • Hammerhead sharks • White-tip reef sharks • Sea turtles • Rays • Tropical fish • Sea lions • Blue-footed boobies • Nazca boobies • Frigatebirds • Pelicans Wildlife sightings depend on natural conditions and cannot be guaranteed.
Tour Details
Time8:30 or 9:00
Duration6 - 7 hours
Throughout the tour, you may encounter hammerhead sharks, white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, rays, tropical fish, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, frigatebirds, and pelicans. Wildlife sightings depend on natural conditions and cannot be guaranteed.
Our regular departures are operated aboard SharkSky I, subject to availability. If SharkSky I is fully booked or you request a different departure that we cannot accommodate, we will gladly arrange your tour with one of our trusted partner vessels. We work exclusively with operators authorized by the Galápagos National Park and the Port Captaincy, carefully selected for their safety standards, experienced crews, and service quality similar to our own, ensuring you enjoy the same level of confidence and an outstanding Galápagos experience.
Your Galápagos Trip Can Help Santa Cruz Recover 🤍
Help us help Santa Cruz recover. Every booking makes a difference.
Book & Support Santa Cruz.
Between the night of October 30 and the morning of October 31, 2026, Santa Cruz Island experienced exceptionally heavy rainfall and severe flooding.
Homes were flooded, roads and infrastructure were damaged, families had to be evacuated, and many residents were suddenly faced with the loss of essential belongings and the need for temporary shelter.
Santa Cruz is not simply another island where we operate tourism activities. It is part of our home — where friends, colleagues, families, tourism workers and people we work alongside every day live.
For that reason, Galápagos SharkSky Travel & Conservation has decided to contribute through what we do best: tourism.
Every new booking helps
Through December 31, 2026, SharkSky will allocate 10% of the net amount we receive from every new booking to support relief efforts in Santa Cruz.
Our contribution will be directed toward urgent needs such as:
🏠 Temporary accommodation for affected families
🍲 Food and community meal initiatives
🐾 Support for local animal shelters affected by the emergency
There is no additional charge to our travelers for this contribution.
By simply booking your Galápagos experience with SharkSky, you are already helping.
Want to help a little more?
For selected experiences, travelers will also have the option to choose a Santa Cruz Support Rate.
For example:
Standard Rate – $179
You enjoy the same experience, and SharkSky contributes 10% of the net amount received from your booking.
Santa Cruz Support Rate – $195
You enjoy exactly the same experience, but your booking includes an additional $16 contribution to the Santa Cruz relief effort.
SharkSky will still make its own 10% contribution from the net amount received, in addition to your voluntary support.
There is no difference in the tour, service or experience you receive. The Support Rate simply allows travelers who wish to help further to make an additional contribution through their booking.
Prefer to donate directly?
Absolutely.
You do not need to book with SharkSky or contribute through us in order to help.
If you prefer to support local organizations directly, we encourage you to do so through their official channels:
🐾 Fundación Patitas Galapagueñas
Supporting the rescue and care of animals in Santa Cruz.
Phone: +593979172765
🍲 Fundación de Ayuda Social Torraja – Corazones Grandes de Galápagos
Supporting food assistance and meals for people affected by the emergency.
Phone: +593999451421
Web: https://www.instagram.com/fundaciontorraja?psln=N3Q0NmpkeXNlN2gy
Direct support to these organizations is equally valuable. Our purpose is not to centralize the assistance — it is to help as much aid as possible reach Santa Cruz.
Why are we doing this?
We are a small local Galápagos company. There is a limit to how much we can personally contribute, but tourism gives us something equally valuable: the ability to connect people from around the world with the community that makes these islands so special.
Instead of simply asking others to help, we want SharkSky to contribute first.
Every new reservation generates a contribution from us. Travelers who wish to do more can choose the Support Rate, and those who prefer to help independently can donate directly to local organizations already working on the ground.
You travel. We contribute. Together, we help Galápagos recover.
This initiative will remain active through December 31, 2026.
Thank you for choosing to experience Galápagos with a local company — and for helping us take care of the community behind the destination.
Galápagos SharkSky Travel & Conservation
What's Included
What's included
Certified Naturalist Guide
Meals
vegan - vegetarian - snacks - fresh fruits - beverages
Towel
On Board -
Snorkeling equipment & Wetsuit
Pick up from the office