Kicker Rock (León Dormido): The Volcanic Icon of San Cristóbal
How an eroded tuff cone became the most famous snorkeling site of the 360 tour in San Cristóbal, Galápagos.
- Height
- ~148 m
- Type
- Tuff cone / cono de toba
- Channel depth
- up to ~20 m+
A sleeping lion made of volcanic ash
Kicker Rock — León Dormido in Spanish — rises about 148 metres from the sea off the west coast of San Cristóbal. It is the remnant of a tuff cone: a volcano formed when magma met seawater and exploded into fine ash that compacted into rock. Thousands of years of waves eroded most of the cone, leaving two vertical walls split by a narrow channel. Seen from one side, its shape resembles a sleeping lion; from another, a boot — hence its English name.
Why it is a world-class snorkeling site
The channel between the two rocks drops into deep, nutrient-rich water. Currents bring plankton and schools of fish, which attract Galápagos sharks, white-tip reef sharks, eagle rays, green sea turtles and, especially in the cool season, hammerhead sharks. The walls are covered in corals, sponges and sea stars, while blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds nest above.
Visit it on the Tour 360°
Kicker Rock is the highlight of our full-day Tour 360° around San Cristóbal, combined with Cerro Brujo, Punta Pitt and open-sea snorkeling.