Safari to Isla de San Cristobal

an unusually mountainous and fertile island

Isla de San Cristóbal is the fifth largest island in Galapagos and is home to the second largest town, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, as well as the archipelago’s second international airport.

Area : 558 sq km / 215 sq mi
Location : 70 km southwest of Seymour Airport

The island is the product of four fused volcanoes. It’s certainly one of the oldest in the group, dating back around four million years, which means that its flora and fauna have had time to become rich and diversified.

The central mountains rise up to 730m (2400’), which is sufficient to create a micro-climate of clouds and significant rainfall, meaning that the upper slopes are both verdant and fertile.

Although the very significant human activity (both around the main town and the farming districts of the highlands) has definitely been highly damaging to the natural ecosystems, this is a large island and there remains some areas of significant interest, especially on the more remote northeastern side.

Around the populated areas there are some additional locations of interest, notably various education centres and conservation projects that can be visited.

The island was named after the patron saint of seafarers, Saint Christopher. It was previously known as Chatham Island, after William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham.

Set in the southwest of the island and 5 km inland from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the small rural village of San Cristóbal is actually the oldest permanent settlement in Galapagos. It was here that Charles Darwin first went ashore in 1835. There is a statue of him on the waterfront in the port area.

The presence of a significant freshwater lake high in the mountains, known as Laguna El Junco, was a critical factor in the establishment of a penal colony on the island in 1880. During the 1950s the penal colony was turned into a military base for the Ecuador armed forces.

Many of the 6000 people who live on the island remain focused on agriculture, centred on crops such as sugar, coffee and cassava, as well as livestock. Fishing also remains a significant source of income.

If you specifically want to include Isla de San Cristóbal in your trip, then do let us know and we will make sure that you get to the best and most appropriate vessel.

features in more southeasterly boat itineraries