Kicker Rock ~ San Cristobal

We did the 360 tour in San Cristobal. The cost was $160pp with a 10% charge for using a credit card. Some places charged 15% and others didn't charge at all so it was a bit strange trying to figure out the pricing system on island.

I have decided to give Kicker Rock it's very own blog page because it was THAT amazing!! You absolutely must do kicker rock while in the Galapagos. Some tours do a 360 (all the way around the island with additional stops) while others just go to Kicker rock and a beach with more time for snorkeling. We opted for the 8 hour tour to circle the full island (details in next blog post).

We ended up selecting a pretty random company because the companies that were recommended to us either weren't open or didn't have ability to use a credit card (machine was broken). When traveling to the Galapagos you must be prepared to sort of go with the flow. The company we used is found right on the main drive (photo below). In the morning of the activity we met there at 7:00 am only to be driven to another company on a back road to get fitted for wet suits. From there we walked down to a water taxi that took us to the boat "Golden Reel".

This was the random company we went with. Located right on the main strip along the water.

The Golden Reel (our boat for the day).

There is absolutely no comparison between the guide we had on Golden Reel and James, our level 3 naturalist on the Natural Paradise yacht. The guide on the boat wasn't all that interested in safety (two elderly ladies got mixed up with another group at kicker rock). The entire day was a GREAT day, but it just goes to show that you get what you pay for when it comes to naturalists.

The guide did take under water photos that he tried to share with the group. Unfortunately most of us couldn’t get his pictures. I happened to run into one of the couples who were with us on the 360 tour and she was able to forward me the video so it did work out.

Eagle Ray (that's me in the upper corner)

Black Tip Sharks

Amazing Eagle Rays!!

Hammerhead Sharks at Kicker Rock

More Eagle Rays

Kicker Rock, you snorkel through the break in the rock. It's a deep water snorkel with a pretty decent current so be prepared. Our guide did not offer life preservers and although I am a very strong swimmer I asked for one. I never take the ocean currents for granted and this was truly a deep water snorkel far from shore.

All smiles after!

Darwins Window (another rock formation just a little bit away from Kicker Rock)

Hammerheads at Kicker Rock

The boat was no frills, but we made it work

All smiles for me too!

Kicker Rock was an Adrenaline Rush!!!