Chinese Hat Island Galapagos
Ecuador
Frequently Asked Questions
Because its volcanic cone is so regular and so finely drawn that passing navigators saw a Chinese hat resting on the water. The name stuck, and it describes the silhouette better than any photograph.
Against the southeast coast of Santiago Island, in the Galápagos archipelago, Ecuador. It is a tiny islet separated from Santiago by a shallow turquoise channel.
Yes, but access is limited to a small number of expedition ships authorised by the national park. Landing is by panga, the archipelago's inflatable boat, on a cove of strikingly white sand.
The welcome is immediate: sea lions sprawled on the beach, red Sally Lightfoot crabs clinging to the black rock, and marine iguanas sitting motionless, indifferent to visitors as local custom has it.
About five hundred metres. It winds through lava fields and volcanic scree where frozen flows keep their folds and collapsed tubes. You walk slowly, partly for footing on the uneven rock and partly to let your eyes take in the bareness.
Possibly, with no guarantee. The sheltered channel is one of the archipelago's better spots for the Galápagos penguin, the only member of its family living in equatorial waters. Some groups see several fishing a few metres away, others leave empty-handed.
It is often the highlight of the visit. The water is calm, sheltered by Santiago, and the clear bottom draws rays, colourful fish and harmless whitetip reef sharks. Curious sea lions sometimes come to spin around the swimmers.
Yes, cooler than the latitude suggests, thanks to the currents. A light wetsuit, often provided on board, makes the swim considerably more pleasant.
Almost none. A few pioneer plants push through the rock, improbable patches of green on black. It is a mineral landscape with no tree and no shade: a hat and water are essential.
Stay on the marked trail, keep your distance from the animals, take nothing and leave nothing. A naturalist guide is mandatory and access is restricted. These rules do not hinder the visit: they protect its quality for those who come next.
