Isla Lobos
Isla Lobos
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
87 reviews
Excellent
67
Very good
14
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Han
46 contributions
Jun 2022
This was the first place I toured while in the Galapagos. This was a great way to start after two days of travel. The hike is easy (though uneven in many spots) and there is a large variety of wildlife. The island isn't very large, so most tours have you hop into the water at the far end of the island and then snorkel back. There was some really cool marine life to see there, and there were some boobies diving for fish near us.
Written November 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donna G
Johnstown, PA62 contributions
Mar 2024 • Friends
We enjoyed our afternoon excursion to Isla lobos in the Galapagos. We had a cruise of shoreline of San Cristobal. We learned about blue footed boogie birds and the frigates. We learned about the red underbeak of the male frigate bird and the mating rituals. We got to snorkel and saw the marine lizard eating sea algae. And the highlight of the snorkeling was when a playful sea lion came up to me, face to face, and looked into my eyes. I felt the contact of this creature. And I watched the older sea lions playing with each other. The cruise folks gave us snacks and drinks. Danny, our guide,was the best.he was very informative. We ended the trip on the shoreline of a pretty beach, after chasing some stingrays along the way, in our dingy to the sand.
Written March 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PSchicke
Livermore, CA339 contributions
Mar 2014 • Family
Isla Lobos is a small island located about one hour away by boat from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the main town of San Cristobal Island, and the capital of the Galapagos archipelago. This island had a trail that was about 1km (0.6mi) long, which took about an hour to complete by foot. The trail consists of a zone of arid vegetation, volcanic rocks, as well as a sandy beach.
There was a small colony of blue-footed boobies on this island as well as a small colony of Frigatebirds. However, the island is most famous for, and was named after, the two species of Sea Lions that inhabit it: The Galapagos Sea Lion and the Fur Seal. Galapagos Sea Lions were much more abundant on the Island and they were the main attraction. On this island one can safely snorkel with large groups of sea lions as well as observe them in their large colonies on the beach and the rocks on shore. When snorkeling, we also saw green sea turtles as well as rays swimming near the bottom.
For anyone visiting San Cristobal Island, a visit to Isla Lobos is highly recommended.
There was a small colony of blue-footed boobies on this island as well as a small colony of Frigatebirds. However, the island is most famous for, and was named after, the two species of Sea Lions that inhabit it: The Galapagos Sea Lion and the Fur Seal. Galapagos Sea Lions were much more abundant on the Island and they were the main attraction. On this island one can safely snorkel with large groups of sea lions as well as observe them in their large colonies on the beach and the rocks on shore. When snorkeling, we also saw green sea turtles as well as rays swimming near the bottom.
For anyone visiting San Cristobal Island, a visit to Isla Lobos is highly recommended.
Written July 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sunnysal
Williamsburg, VA351 contributions
Apr 2016 • Family
We decided on a land-based tour instead of a cruise because I was traveling with two younger kids. Was looking forward to a snorkeling trip to Kicker Rock but was advised by the tour agent in San Cristobal that the snorkeling trip to Isla Lobo would be better for young kids. Boy were they right!
The price was less, boat time shorter, water not as deep and more juvenile sea lions to swim with.
My kids unenthusiastically listened to the guide as we got a tour of the island. We saw so many frigate birds and even got to watch the dance of the blue footed boobie. But finally it was time for snorkeling.
The guide snorkeled with a group of us of maybe 12 passengers along the rocky coast pointing out many smaller fish. Nothing bigger than a foot was seen. Then we went into a cove where so many sea lions were playing. I had packed a Styrofoam fun noodle with us for my daughter and I think the sea lions were curious as to what it was because they were all around her. An encounter that can't be replicated on any type of Sea World type overpriced opportunity.
We were not rushed by our guide but after 45 minutes or so we were a little cold and ready to take a break.
Lunch on board and then a stop at a very pretty beach.
I am sure any of the tour operators would be fine to take this tour with but we didn't see anyone else while snorkeling all day.
The price was less, boat time shorter, water not as deep and more juvenile sea lions to swim with.
My kids unenthusiastically listened to the guide as we got a tour of the island. We saw so many frigate birds and even got to watch the dance of the blue footed boobie. But finally it was time for snorkeling.
The guide snorkeled with a group of us of maybe 12 passengers along the rocky coast pointing out many smaller fish. Nothing bigger than a foot was seen. Then we went into a cove where so many sea lions were playing. I had packed a Styrofoam fun noodle with us for my daughter and I think the sea lions were curious as to what it was because they were all around her. An encounter that can't be replicated on any type of Sea World type overpriced opportunity.
We were not rushed by our guide but after 45 minutes or so we were a little cold and ready to take a break.
Lunch on board and then a stop at a very pretty beach.
I am sure any of the tour operators would be fine to take this tour with but we didn't see anyone else while snorkeling all day.
Written May 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nick and Angel S
Milton Keynes, UK5,518 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
The visit to Isla Lobos was the highlight of our Galapagos adventure! To be so close to the nesting Magnificent Frigate Birds and Blue Footed Boobies was an absolute privilege and one of the best days ever!
Written March 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
it_is_PASSiON
Baden, Switzerland96 contributions
Nice halfday tour to Isla Lobos. Good place to spot Frigatebirds, blue footed Boobies, Iguanas and specially sealions. After a short walk over lava stones we ended a a beach with lots of sealion pups with their mums. Nice so see them so close. After we did sime snorkeling in clear blue fresh water. Wesuit recommended! So much fun and great ecperience to snorkel with the sealions who were as curious as I was. They come quite close to you and play around. Great experience. Best snorkel with sealions so far!
Highly recommended when on Cristobal (actually a must)
Highly recommended when on Cristobal (actually a must)
Written February 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
g1obetrotter
Sydney, Australia95 contributions
Jan 2015 • Solo
This was one of my favourite visits in the Galapagos. I travelled as part of a cruise so I'm not sure whether you can travel here independently. Plenty of wildlife, especially sea lion pups and their mum's, but also plenty of marine iguanas and blue footed boobies.
Written January 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Harry R
Ramat Hasharon, Israel391 contributions
Nov 2019
This boulder strewn small island is home to nesting frigate birds and blue-footed boobies. The birds are tame and allow you to see them up close. You can circumnavigate the small island in an hour.
Written November 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jrc530
California62 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
We came to snorkel with sea lions, but actually saw none in the water. We did, however, see a marine iguana eating algae and swimming underwater. What was unexpected but awesome was how close we were able to get to the birds nesting on the island. Many frigate birds and blue footed boobie parents who built their nest in the middle of the footpath. We had to very carefully walk around the baby to get by. It was amazing!
Written July 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christopher M
Jersey, UK121 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
We found no operator would advance book this weeks/months ahead of arrival in San Cristolbal. Our hotel front desk (Golden Bay Hotel) advised that bookin* could not be done more than a week ahead. When we tried to book within days was told not available, “not enough people”. They need 8 tourists to make up a group, but will not even attempt to start forming a group by taking provisional names of the first 2-4 applicants. Very disapppointing - so beware low season between Thanks Giving and Christmas.
Written December 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you please tell me the name of the tour operator that you used. Thanks.
Written February 1, 2018
BigAl229
Orange County, California
Are there any day trip agencies that go to Kicker Rock and Isla Lobos on the day? Thank you!
Written May 20, 2017
Looking for a snorkeling tour company that will stop at isla Lobos before or after kicker rock. Could someone recommend a company to me?
Written July 20, 2016
We were on a cruise and so it was taken care of.
Written August 5, 2016
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