Chinese hat Island is so named because of the appearance, it looks like a hat. Like the rest of the islands, it was formed during a volcanic eruption, but is one of the smallest among others. The island has a sandy beach with white sand. We have not seen such white sand in other places on Galapagos.
Who lives here:
- seals, we saw about 20, very friendly
- Sally Lightfoot crabs, a lot
- lava lizard, a lot
- marine iguanas, saw several
- galapagos penguins, saw one, here they are rare
- galapagos hawks, saw one in the distance
Usually on the beach you can find seals, who are not afraid of tourists and ready to play with them.
Seals on the Chinese Hat island ©Yuriy Buriak
Seals on the Chinese Hat island ©Yuriy Buriak
Seals on the Chinese Hat island ©Yuriy Buriak
Seals on the Chinese Hat island ©Yuriy Buriak
Seals on the Chinese Hat island ©Yuriy Buriak
Seals on the Chinese Hat island ©Yuriy Buriak
400 meters long hiking trail starts from the beach. As you can see, it is necessary to wear sneakers.
Chinese Hat Island ©Yuriy Buriak
Chinese Hat Island ©Yuriy Buriak
There are not too much animals on this island, but for us it was like a real zoo since we visited it first.
Sally Lightfoot crab on the Chinese Hat Island ©Yuriy Buriak
Sally Lightfoot crabs on the Chinese Hat Island ©Yuriy Buriak
Marine iguana on the Chinese Hat island ©Yuriy Buriak
If you are lucky then may be find a penguin
Penguin on the Chinese Hat island ©Yuriy Buriak
Here is the bones of a seal. Most likely he was wounded by a shark near the shore.
Skeleton of seal on the Chinese Hat Island ©Yuriy Buriak
Met several small lava tunnels, 20 meters long.
Lava tunnel on the Chinese Hat island ©Yuriy Buriak
Here is the surface of the island that is not covered by lava or sand.
Chinese Hat Island ©Yuriy Buriak
Between the Chinese Hat and Santiago island there is a small strait, with width of about 200 meters. It is very convenient for snorkeling as water quite calm and transparent.
Chinese Hat Island ©Yuriy Buriak
Snorkeling around the Chinese Hat island ©Yuriy Buriak
Snorkeling around the Chinese Hat island ©Yuriy Buriak
Snorkeling around the Chinese Hat island ©Yuriy Buriak
A beautiful sunrise near the Chinese Hat island.
Sunrise near the Chinese Hat island ©Yuriy Buriak
Sunrise near the Chinese Hat island ©Yuriy Buriak
Getting there: it's the official site of the National Park, so visit is possible only on the certain cruising boats with no more then 16 tourists, or on a private yacht by appointment. There are no daily tours to the island.
