San Cristóbal Island.

The capital island

San Cristóbal is home to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the provincial capital, and one of the two main airports, so many cruises begin or end here. The town waterfront has sea lions sleeping on benches and beaches, a lively introduction to the islands.

Offshore, Kicker Rock (León Dormido) is a split tuff cone where snorkelers look for turtles, rays and sometimes sharks. Cerro Brujo’s white beach, Punta Pitt’s booby colonies and the Interpretation Center, which tells the human and natural history of the islands, round out the visits. It is a natural start for eastern routes.