Sombrero Chino Island is one of the most exceptional as well as the smallest of the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. The island has a volcanic cone, which represents its name – the Chinese hat. It is best known for a number of sea lions which are easily found on the island beach.
How to reach Sombrero Chino Island
Sombrero Chino is one of the islands in the Galapagos which is not very easy to reach, unlike other islands which are better connected to Baltra Airport. Hence to reach Sombrero Chino Island you have to do the following:
At first, you have to reach Santiago Island by a ferry boat which is easily available from Santa Cruz or Baltra as there is no air connectivity to Santiago Island.
After reaching Santiago Island you can take a small yacht to reach the Sombrero chino island as it is the island which is located in the south-eastern tip of Santiago Island.
Where to stay
Since the Sombrero Chino is a very tiny island and there is nothing more than beach and wildlife in the island, it is not inhabited. So the best places to stay in the Gala[agos would be Santa Cruz Island and Puerto Villamil at Isla Isabela. You can plan a day-long trip to Sombrero Chino Island and can come back to your stay at these islands. Some of the places to stay at a budgeted rate are:
- La Laguna Galapagos Hotel
- Casa Natura Galapagos Lodge
- The Galapagos Pearl Hotel
- San Vicente Galapagos Hotel
- Hotel Albemarle
- La Casa de Marita Boutique Hotel
- Red Mangrove Eco Luxury Hotel
- Cormorant Beach House
These hotels are all listed and come with features like:
- A perfect environment with a great ambience
- Comfortable stay with all the necessary facilities
- Professional and skilled staff with excellent service
- Also helps in your travel itinerary
- Wonderful food and service
- Offers free Wi-Fi
- Magnificent view of the beach
Things to do
The things to do during your travel to the island are:
- Wildlife watching
- Swimming
- Scuba Diving
- Snorkelling
- Surfing
Must see animals of the Galapagos Islands in Sombrero Chino
- Giant Tortoise Penguins
- Marine iguanas
- Sea lion colonies
- Massive stingrays
- Sharks
- Tropical fish
Island travel guide/ tips
To witness this exceptional island you are advised to carry the following:
- Waterproof camera or dry sack for gadgets
- Binoculars
- Bathing suit
- Towels
- Sun cap, sunscreen, shades
- Medicines for seasickness
So if you are planning to visit the Galapagos Islands then don’t forget to explore this small, yet pretty island in the Ecuador region.
Read more: Other Islands of Galapagos
