Our Experience at Tour 360º at San Cristobal Island, Galapagos

The Tour 360º is one of those experiences you just can’t miss on San Cristobal – it became a favorite part of our Galapagos adventure. This unique tour takes you all the way around San Cristobal Island, making stops at beautiful beaches, secluded bays, and, of course, the iconic Kicker Rock. The name says it all – you get a full-circle view of the island’s stunning coastline.

Compared to the usual day trips on tourist-class boats, this journey felt a bit more rugged and adventurous. The boats, which have fishing licenses, can vary quite a bit in size and stability, so we experienced a few bumpy moments on the open water. But that only added to the thrill, especially as the day kicked off with a bit of fishing right from the start!

While the boats used for the Tour 360º aren’t huge, they’re still comfortable enough for a small group of travelers. However, it’s good to be aware that, during windy or rough weather, the long journey around San Cristobal can be tiring for anyone prone to seasickness. This day-long adventure starts early in the morning and wraps up before dusk, giving plenty of time to explore.

Over the course of about five hours, Tour 360º circles San Cristobal and takes in some of the island’s most iconic sights. Highlights of the tour include snorkeling alongside incredible marine life in the bays of Rosa Blanca and Sardina, as well as a stop at the stunning Kicker Rock. I’ll walk through each stop briefly to give a taste of what makes this tour so unforgettable.

This trip begins at the main pier on San Cristobal Island and includes five stops in the following order:

1. Rosa Blanca (snorkeling)
2. Punta Pitt (photo opportunity)
3. Bahía Sardina (snorkeling)
4. Punta Pucuna & Cerro Brujo (photo opportunity)
5. Kicker Rock (snorkeling)

You can also see how we captured 360 tour in our big video about traveling to the Galapagos Islands:

Rosa Blanca

Rosa Blanca was our first stop, a small but beautiful bay located on the northeast coast of San Cristobal. This spot is famous for its series of little beaches, each one more picturesque than the last. The main beach, set right in the center of the bay, immediately drew us in with its wide stretch of sand bordered by gentle sand dunes. It was a perfect place to take in the natural beauty of San Cristobal’s coastline, offering a peaceful start to our 360º journey.

Rosa Blanca’s unique blend of sand dunes and crystal-clear waters makes it a favorite spot for visitors, and we quickly understood why. Snorkeling here was an unforgettable experience. The pristine bay is home to an array of marine life, and we were lucky enough to spot sharks, rays, and even sea turtles gliding gracefully through the water. It was amazing to see so much wildlife up close, making Rosa Blanca a highlight of the tour for anyone eager to experience the Galapagos’ underwater wonders.

Punta Pitt

Planning trip to Galapagos Islands?

My wife and I spent two weeks on these magnificent islands, visited nearly every possible tour, and explored as much as we could. I shared all the important details in my comprehensive Galapagos Islands Travel Guide, where I cover everything you need to know about planning a trip to the Galapagos.

Galapagos Islands travel might surprise you with extra fees to enter the islands, the complicated logistics between islands, booking tours, and knowing which spots are free to explore and which ones are not. I’ve covered it all in this Galapagos Travel Guide.

Also, if you’re planning a trip to the Galapagos, make sure to use my link for discounted hotel prices via Booking.com. It really helps support my blog!

Punta Pitt offered a unique glimpse into both Galapagos wildlife and local traditions, serving as our lunch stop with a live demonstration of traditional fishing. Although we didn’t disembark, we had a clear view of the rugged, unusual landscape and were able to spot some rare bird species, including the vibrant red-footed boobies.

Sea lions, of course, were plentiful along the coast, as they are throughout the Galapagos. Punta Pitt is a special spot in the islands, known as the only place where you can observe all three booby species together, along with two types of nesting frigatebirds. Each species of booby has its own nesting territory here: the Nazca boobies occupy the cliffs, red-footed boobies make their nests among the bushes near the cliffs, and blue-footed boobies nest a bit further inland. Seeing this unique mix of birdlife, each with its own space, was an incredible sight and a testament to the diversity of the Galapagos.

Bahía Sardina

Bahía Sardina was another fantastic stop on our Tour 360º, offering yet another chance to snorkel in the clear, inviting waters. The two beaches here, with their gentle, white-sand dunes, create a perfect setting for an underwater adventure. We were lucky to swim alongside marine turtles, rays, and even a few playful sea lions, which made the experience even more memorable.

The marine life here was abundant – schools of sardines darted around us, and we even spotted octopi, lobsters, langoustines, and mullet gliding through the water. Each moment in Bahía Sardina was a reminder of the Galapagos’ rich underwater world, and we couldn’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to explore it so closely.

Punta Pucuna & Cerro Brujo

The sandy beach at Punta Pucuna offered a striking contrast to the rugged volcanic landscape surrounding it. The soft, white sand seemed almost surreal against the backdrop of towering lava cones, creating a dramatic and unforgettable scene. It was a reminder of the Galapagos’ unique geology, where tranquil beaches and raw volcanic terrain come together in a stunning display of nature’s contrasts.

From this vantage point, we had breathtaking views of Cerro Brujo and the iconic Kicker Rock. The tour paused here, giving us time to capture the scene with our cameras and soak in the beauty of the landscape. Afterward, we continued our exploration with a 45-minute trek, taking in even more of the island’s diverse scenery. This stop was a perfect blend of stunning photo opportunities and the chance to stretch our legs while experiencing the natural beauty of San Cristobal up close.

Kicker Rock or Leon Dormido

Kicker Rock, or Leon Dormido as the locals call it, was one of the highlights of our tour. Located about 30 minutes from San Cristobal’s main pier, this isolated islet initially appears like a huge, solitary rock jutting from the ocean. In reality, it’s the eroded cone of volcanic tuff, formed from ancient volcanic ash. Rising up to 148 meters (486 feet), the sheer size and rugged form of Kicker Rock are awe-inspiring, making it a must-see for anyone exploring the Galapagos.

Kicker Rock isn’t just a stunning landmark; it’s also a sanctuary for marine birds like the Blue-footed Booby and is often visited by playful sea lions. The surrounding waters are rich with marine life, offering incredible snorkeling opportunities. We spotted various fish species and were even lucky enough to glimpse hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, and graceful rays gliding through the water. The biodiversity around Kicker Rock made it a truly unforgettable experience, showcasing the vibrant and diverse ecosystems of the Galapagos.

Bottom Line

It’s worth noting that Tour 360º covers a lot of ground, giving you a taste of many incredible locations around San Cristobal. However, the time spent at some stops, like Kicker Rock, might feel a bit short, especially if you’re eager to fully explore these iconic spots. If you’re keen to experience the very best of Kicker Rock or Punta Pitt, planning a separate trip to these destinations might be a good idea.

Overall, though, Tour 360º was hands down one of the best excursions I’ve ever experienced. The snorkeling alone was unforgettable – it’s the best I’ve had in my life! The tour offers a unique way to see the Galapagos and is an absolute must for anyone visiting these islands. I highly recommend adding Tour 360º to your Galapagos bucket list; it’s a one-of-a-kind adventure that’s not to be missed.

Planning trip to Ecuador?

My wife and I rented a car for 15 days and traveled from the northern part of Ecuador to the south, visiting amazing cities like Quito, Otavalo, Baños, Cuenca, and Guayaquil. Along the way, we explored iconic places such as Cotopaxi National Park, Quilotoa Lake, and many more breathtaking destinations.

Not many blogs cover traveling in Ecuador in detail, so I spent nearly three weeks creating this comprehensive Ecuador travel guide based on our trip. It’s packed with everything you need to know, and honestly, I consider it the best free travel guide about Ecuador out there.

If you’re planning a trip to Ecuador, don’t forget to use my link for discounted hotel prices through Booking.com. It’s a great way to support my blog while saving money on your accommodations!