Isla Lobos

A small island packed with sea lions and blue-footed boobies, a short boat ride from town.

Isla Lobos is one of the closest excursion sites to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno — most tours reach it in under 30 minutes. It combines a short walking trail through the nesting colony with snorkelling in the bay, where the sea lions follow you into the water. The combination makes it a good first stop if you are new to the Galápagos and want a gentle introduction to the wildlife before tackling the longer day trips.

The island is small enough to walk around in an hour, but the snorkelling can easily occupy another hour. The water is generally calmer here than at Kicker Rock or Punta Pitt, making it suitable for less confident swimmers. A licensed guide is required, as with all National Park sites.

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A story
Isla Lobos translates simply as Sea Lion Island, which tells you most of what you need to know. The colony here is one of the most relaxed in the Galápagos — the animals are entirely habituated to visitors and will swim directly at you in the shallows, barrel-rolling and blowing bubbles in what can only be described as showing off. Blue-footed boobies also nest on the rocky sections of the island, performing their improbable high-stepping courtship dance a few metres from the visitor trail.

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