San Cristobal Island (Galapagos)
Cruise Port schedule, live map, terminals, news
Region
Galapagos Islands
Local Time
2020-04-06 06:30
80°F 26.6°C
Light breeze1.8 m/s
85 °F / 30 °C 78 °F / 26 °C
San Cristobal Island (aka Chatham Island) is the 5th largest of Ecuador's Galapagos Islands. It was one of the first to be colonized and has about 2500 inhabitants, most of them living in the capital of Galapagos, Baquerizo Moreno. Close to the town is the new airport.
San Cristobal has a monument to Darwin, a small museum, and a climbing rock (named "Roca Leon Dormido" / aka "Kicker Rock") with exciting views from the top. Natural highlights include freshwater lake El Junco, sea lion beach at Punta Pitt (landing point) with red-footed boobies and an aptly named Frigatebird Hill. At Cerro Brujo (Wizard Hill) cruisers can find crabs, sea-lions and seabirds (diving Blue Footed Booby, Ground Finch, Lava Heron, Oyster Catchers, Plover, Yellow Warbler).
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is the capital of the Galapagos Province, located on the southwestern coast of the island.
In mid-June 2019, Ecuador and USA signed an agreement to allow US military aircraft to utilize the San Cristóbal Airport for combating drug trafficking. Galapagos Islands are approx 900 km (560 ml). According to Ecuador's constitution (Article 5), the republic is a peaceful territory and “establishment of foreign military bases or foreign facilities for military purposes shall not be allowed”. By the agreement, the USA would be paying for any alterations made to the airfield. The airport is on island's southwestern end and has two asphalt-covered runways (each with length 1900 m / 6234 ft) and both approached over the ocean. Regularly scheduled flights are operated by the airlines Avianca Ecuador and LATAM Ecuador (both linking to Guayaquil and Quito) and also by TAME EP (connecting to Guayaquil, Quito and Baltra Island).
San Cristobal Island cruise terminal
Cruise ships to San Cristobal Island dock (anchor) at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno - port town on the southwestern coast.
The following map of Galapagos Islands cruise itineraries shows the two main routes and all island stops (ports / landing sites) in the archipelago.
San Cristobal Island tours, shore excursions, hotels
City Tours and Shore Excursions
Popular San Cristobal Island shore excursion destinations are:
- La Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado - giant tortoises breeding center
- Wizard Hill (Cerro El Brujo) - white-sand beach on the northern coast
- Punta Pitt (Pitt Point / landing point)
Port San Cristobal Island cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from San Cristobal Island, Galapagos. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.
| Day | Ship | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 April, 2020 Wednesday |  Estrella del Mar | 01:00 | 01:00 |
| 2 April, 2020 Thursday | Estrella del Mar | 01:00 | 01:00 |
| 15 April, 2020 Wednesday | Estrella del Mar | ||
| 16 April, 2020 Thursday | Estrella del Mar | ||
| 29 April, 2020 Wednesday | Estrella del Mar | ||
| 30 April, 2020 Thursday | Estrella del Mar |
- Accidents
Capsized Ship Spills 2,500L Oil in Galapagos
An estimated 2500 litres of MDO fuel (marine diesel oil) have ended up in the waters of Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands after a tanker barge...
December 27, 2019 - Cruise Industry
Silversea to Open Sales for Silver Origin
Starting on July 16, cruisers will be able to reserve suites aboard Silversea’s newbuild (currently under construction) - Silver Origin. ...
July 10, 2019 - Cruise Industry
US Military Planes Allowed to Operate from Galapagos Island Airfield
Ecuador will enable US military aircraft to utilize the Galapagos Island airport. US planes will be operating from San Cristobal airport according to...
June 17, 2019 - show more news