What is kicker rock made of?
volcanic ash
Known as a tuff cone, Kicker Rock is composed of compacted volcanic ash, not rock. It towers up almost 500ft / 150m from the ocean floor, splitting into two above surface structures. Home to many birds, you’ll often spot Nazca boobies, blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds and tropicbirds.
How was kicker rock formed?
Kicker Rock is a remnant of a pyroclastic, or palagonite, cone, i.e., the site of a volcanic eruption that became explosive when lava and seawater mixed. Tens of thousands of years of wind and waves have carved this once conical island into the structure we see today.
Where is the kicker rock?
San Cristóbal
Kicker Rock (León Dormido – « the sleeping lion », in English) is a jagged rock that towers above San Cristóbal Island’s northern coast. It is one of the most symbolic landscapes of the Galápagos archipelago.
How many people live in San Cristobal Galapagos?
Human activity San Cristobal is the most fertile island of the archipelago and is the second most populated after Santa Cruz, with approximately 6000 people. The capital of the Archipelago, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, lies at the south-western tip of the island.
Why is it called Kicker Rock?
One of the best spots for snorkeling, Kicker Rock or Leon Dormido is an amazing rock formation near San Cristobal Island. The erosion has given the rock its characteristic shape, which some see as a shoe, hence the name Kicker Rock.
How deep is the water at Kicker Rock?
Kicker Rock is one of the most popular diving spots in the Galapagos with depths of 30 to 130 feet. The difficulty level of snorkeling or scuba diving is moderate to strenuous due to open water snorkeling from a boat through a deep natural channel between the rocks.
What animals live in San Cristobal?
This island is home to frigate birds, Galapagos sea lions, giant tortoises, giant sea turtles, blue footed booby birds and red footed booby birds, tropicbirds, marine iguanas, dolphins and swallow-tailed gulls. In the waters nearby are sharks, rays, and lobsters.
Did you know facts about Galapagos?
20 Fun Facts about the Galapagos Islands
- 97 % of the Galapagos is a national park.
- Galapagos has active volcanos.
- The number of islands is up for debate.
- Three varieties of colorful boobies (seabirds)
- Penguins in the Northern Hemisphere?!?
- Marine iguanas are excellent swimmers.
- Any time is a great time to visit.
How do you get to Kicker Rock Galapagos?
There are two ways to arrive to Kicker Rock in the Galapagos. First, on a sailing cruise that includes León dormido on its itinerary. Second, take a tour from San Cristobal Island. The 360 tours also includes a stop at this destination.
Where is San Cristobal Galapagos?
San Cristóbal Island, Spanish Isla San Cristóbal, also called Chatham Island, one of the easternmost of the Galapagos Islands in the eastern Pacific Ocean. San Cristóbal Island lies approximately 600 miles (965 km) west of mainland Ecuador.
What are three interesting facts about the Galapagos Islands?
What is Kicker Rock known for?
One of the most sought after sites in Galapagos, Kicker Rock, also known as León Dormido, is the remains of a volcanic cone, eroded by the sea across hundredths of years. It is the eroded cone of an extinct volcano in the shape of a sleeping lion which earned it the name, Leon Dormido.
What makes Kicker Rock such a great snorkeling site?
You can only wonder what a great snorkeling site such ecosystem makes. Kicker Rock is mostly known for the white-tipped reef sharks that inhabit the area and swim across the small channel in between the two large remaining rocks of an old degraded lava cone. Sea turtles and rays are commonly seen in the channel.
Can you see Sharks at Kicker Rock?
Kicker Rock is known to be an excellent place to see Galapagos sharks. However, sometimes hammerhead sharks are spotted there too. These excitements aside, on your Kicker Rock snorkeling trip you might also see different types of rays, sea turtles and marine iguanas.
What can I expect to see at Kicker Rock?
Above the surface of the water you can expect to see few different types of sea birds. Species that are commonly found here are the blue footed booby, the masked booby and frigate birds. On the shore of Kicker Rock you may also see sea lions lazing around in the sunshine. Under the water, the marine life is even more exciting.