San Cristóbal's beaches are some of the most accessible in the Galápagos — two are a short walk from the town centre — and they come with the usual cast of uninvited guests: sea lions belly-flopping into the surf, pelicans patrolling the shallows, and the occasional marine iguana draped over a rock. The further beaches on the island's south and north coasts require a taxi or boat ride but reward the effort with more solitude.
Swimming is generally calm from December to May. During the June-to-November dry season the Humboldt Current pushes in from the south and the sea gets choppier, though visibility for snorkelling often improves.