Isla Lobos Snorkeling: Sea Lions & Blue-Footed Boobies

Swim alongside sea lions in the Galápagos without arranging your own boat

Snorkel at Isla Lobos, a half-day tour from San Cristóbal that combines a guided 850-meter hike across volcanic terrain with a snorkeling session in the island's natural pool and coastal channel. You'll observe blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds on land, then enter the water to swim with sea lions, marine iguanas, manta rays, sea turtles and tropical fish. The tour includes a speedboat ride from San Cristóbal, lunch at Ochoa Beach, snorkeling equipment, and a bilingual naturalist guide who speaks English, Italian, French or German. Children from age 3 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Isla Lobos hike, snorkeling, and beach

• Boat ride from San Cristóbal
• Guided hike on Isla Lobos
• Snorkel with sea lions and turtles
• Relax at Ochoa Beach

The experience

The half-day starts with a speedboat ride from San Cristóbal along the volcanic coastline, passing Tijeretas Bay and Cerro Tijeretas where your guide points out wildlife resting on the shoreline before you arrive at Isla Lobos. Once on the island, you hike 850 meters across striking volcanic rock and sandy vegetation on a marked trail, where you'll watch for blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds nesting or performing mating dances depending on the season. The hike is the physical core of the morning, moderate effort on uneven terrain, and it sets up what comes next.

After the hike, you transition directly into the crystal-clear waters of the island's natural pool and coastal channel for the snorkeling session. This is where the marine life appears: sea lions move through the water with you, marine iguanas graze on the seafloor, manta rays glide past, sea turtles drift through, and schools of colorful tropical fish fill the shallows. The snorkeling gear is provided, and your guide stays in the water with the group. No experience is required (the water is calm and the visibility is high), but you do need to be comfortable in the ocean and able to swim.

The tour concludes at Ochoa Beach, a white-sand cove where you have time to swim, walk the shoreline or rest in the sun before heading back to port. Lunch is served here. The whole excursion runs about five to six hours from departure to return, with morning and afternoon departures available. Private transportation is included, and your guide is a bilingual naturalist who can answer questions about the birds, the marine life and the volcanic geology of the islands.

What’s included

• The tour includes private transportation from San Cristóbal.
• a bilingual naturalist guide.
• snorkeling equipment.
• and lunch at Ochoa Beach.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Galapagos and Beyond LLC

Is this one for you?The hike is moderate in effort and the snorkeling happens in calm, clear water, so this tour suits anyone with basic swimming ability and a moderate fitness level who wants to see both the volcanic landscape and the marine life in one morning. Morning and afternoon departures let you fit it around the rest of your San Cristóbal itinerary.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What wildlife will I actually see when I snorkel at Isla Lobos?

Sea lions, marine iguanas, manta rays, sea turtles and tropical fish inhabit the natural pool and coastal channel where you snorkel. The sea lions are the most active and playful. On the hike beforehand, you'll see blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds nesting or displaying, though which birds are active depends on the season.

How difficult is the hike on Isla Lobos?

The hike covers 850 meters across volcanic rock and sandy terrain on a marked trail. It's moderate in difficulty and requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The terrain is uneven and arid, so wear sturdy shoes and bring water. Your guide sets the pace and stops to point out wildlife.

Do I need snorkeling experience to join this tour?

No experience is required. The snorkeling happens in a natural pool and coastal channel with calm, clear water and high visibility. All equipment is provided. Your guide stays with the group in the water. You do need to be comfortable swimming and entering the ocean.

What's included in the price, and what should I bring?

The tour includes the speedboat from San Cristóbal, the guided hike and snorkeling session, snorkeling equipment, lunch at Ochoa Beach, and a bilingual naturalist guide. Bring sunscreen, a hat, water, a towel and a change of clothes. Wear reef-safe sunscreen and sturdy shoes for the volcanic terrain.