In this article we will let you know the things you can do in the Chinese Hat Island of Galapagos, for sure you are curious about the unique name of this island, because it takes it from a miniature volcanic cone very similar in shape to a Sombrero Chino.
Something unique about this island without a doubt is its spectacular white coral sand beach, as it constitutes one of the most beautiful landscapes of the Galapagos archipelago, this island will offer you one of the best experiences of white coral sand beach. to diving and snorkeling.
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What can be found on Sombrero Chino Island?
With rich wildlife to see, Chinese Hat Island has tolerant saltwater coastal vegetation, such as Palo Santo. This place is ideal for observing lava lizards, marine iguanas, sea lions, coastal birds and the occasional penguin (they are found sporadically), these are part of the fauna of this island.
This island has lava formations and restrictions that limit the number of visitors that can be on it, as it is a special area within the Galapagos National Park.
What you should know about Sombrero Chino
- The views from Sombrero Chino de Galapagos are impressive without a doubt, this wonderful panorama extends to the Santiago Islands and Bartolomé.
- It is a fairly small island, so it has only one landing site, but the list of possible activities is diverse.
- It has a white sand and coral beach where sea lions spend the day resting.
- You should be very attentive on your way as you may encounter marine iguanas and brightly colored Sally Lightfoot crabs.
- The only way to visit Sombrero Chino is on a cruise ship doing the northern itinerary circuit, we recommend you to check carefully if the island is included because it is not always the case, here you can find some of the cruises that include a visit to Sombrero Chino.
Type Motor and Sail Catamaran
Renewed 2014
Length 23 mt. / 75 ft.
With 11.40 mt. / 37 ft.
Capacity 16 passengers
Crew 6 tripulantes + Guía naturalista bilingüe
speed 9 knots
Departures Domingo, miércoles y jueves
Activities Snorkel, Natación, Senderismo, Caminar
Type Three-masted Brigantine
Renewed 2014
Length 216 ft ( 66 m )
With 25.9 ft. ( 8 m )
Capacity 16 passengers
Crew 9 crew members + 1 multilingual naturalist guide
speed 8 knots
Departures Saturday
Activities Hikes, snorkeling, boat rides, swimming and kayaking
Type Motor Yacht
Length 110 ft (33.5 m)
With 23 ft. ( 7 m )
Capacity 16 passengers
Crew Captain, multilingual naturalist guide, cook, 2 engineers, bartender and 4 deckhands
speed 12 knots
Departures Wednesday, Friday
Main activities to do in Sombrero Chino
Snorkel
Sombrero Chino Island is well known for the unique snorkeling experience it can provide, the waters are protected by the proximity of the Santiago Island, which provides calm waters for both swimmers and divers, the waters in this area are relatively cold, which turns out to be a perfect feeding place for the Galapagos marine species. The coral reef is home to countless colorful species and reef sharks, so the best decision you can make is to take an underwater camera with you.
If you wonder what is wonderful about snorkeling on this island, we inform you that the highlight is diving with Galapagos penguins, although as we told you before, this can be very unpredictable, if you are lucky, you will achieve the goal.
Whitetip sharks are a fairly common sighting, but don't be surprised to know that you can encounter SHARKS, they are actually shy creatures and not at all aggressive towards humans.
Kayaking:
If the cruise you chose includes kayaking in its itinerary, then this is a spectacular place to paddle gently and have the opportunity to explore the area. The advantage of kayaking on this island is that its seas are often clear, so you can observe what is in the water below you.
Hiking
On land there is a short walk to appreciate the wonderful views of this beautiful, crossing the lava field, you can look for the pioneer lava cacti that normally grow in the cracks, an interesting fact is that these resistant shrubs They can grow in the absence of soil, they are one of the first species of flora to colonize sterile lava habitats. You must be very careful, along the way you can also find Galapagos lava lizards, the trail is actually quite short, only half a kilometer, which rewards the walkers with a panoramic view at the end.
FAQ
No, remember that the Galapagos Islands implement measures entry control to protect its fragile ecosystem and unique wildlife, to visit many of the islands you need to do so via a cruise ship which has a license to enter at specific times.
Without a doubt, the incredible panoramic views it offers and the unique experience of swimming alongside a very diverse marine fauna that is difficult to find in other corners of the world.
Sombrero Chino Island is actually an uninhabited island, so you can only visit it through cruises that include it in their itinerary.
The best time to visit the Galapagos Islands in general is during the dry season, which runs from June to November, although its warm climate makes it suitable to enjoy it in any month of the year.
