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Last updated on March 28, 2024
Punta Vicente Roca (Vicente Roca Point) is one of the most beautiful snorkeling spots in the Galápagos islands. Nestled on the northwestern coast of Isabela island, it is featured in the itinerary of most cruises organized around the archipelago. Punta Vicente Roca has everything snorkelers can dream about: dozens of sea turtles, large schools of fish, different species of sharks and rays, and occasional visits of Manta rays and Mola mola.
Punta Vicente Roca is only accessible by boat. Located north of Isabela Island, 125 miles away from the closest inhabited areas, the only way to visit the site is to go on a multi-day naturalist cruise.
Punta Vicente Roca is a popular stop for cruise ships visiting the western coast of Isabela but check that it is included in your itinerary.
Water entrance is from the boat.
Punta Vicente Roca features several snorkeling areas. The most visited is the shallow and sheltered bay (snorkeling area 1 on the map) edged by a rocky shore (itinerary 3). By following the drop-off southwards (itinerary 4), you’ll reach Punta Vicente Roca’s cave (snorkeling area 2). You can then continue to follow the shore (itinerary 5) until you reach the rocky point.
Punta Vincente Roca is known for its Galápagos green turtles, which can be spotted in the whole area. They are, however, particularly abundant in the sandy bay (area 1, ↕1-6 ft/0,5-2 m). Turtles gather here in such large numbers that sometimes 5 or 6 turtles can be spotted at the same time, floating on the surface of the sea or resting on the sand.
Other interesting features are the rocky walls found between the bay and the cave (itinerary 4) and south of the cave (itinerary 5). These are covered with cup corals, sponges, and anemones. By snorkeling along the rocks, you will see a diversity of fish, including triggerfish, hogfish, hawkfish, and wrasses.
However, the most stunning snorkeling area at Punta Vicente Roca is the cave and its surroundings (area 2 on the map). This deeper area (maximum depth ↕26 ft/8 m) is where you may spot big animals.
Common sightings around the cave include Whitespotted eagle rays, Whitetip sharks, Green sea turtles, and Stingrays. If you are lucky, you may also encounter Manta rays or Mola Mola, which visit the nearby cleaning station.
Underwater visibility at this location is very random, like in many parts of the west coast of Isabela Island. Your snorkeling might be canceled due to poor visibility (due to overly green/opaque water).
Vicente Roca Point is an entirely natural site, which can only be visited by embarking on a multi-day and full-board naturalist cruise.
These spots are accessible to anyone with basic snorkeling skills, and feeling comfortable in the water and with his snorkeling gear. You will enter the water from the shore (beach, pontoon, ladder, rocks) or from a boat. The water height in the sea entrance area is reasonable, but you will not necessarily be within your depth. Moderate currents can occur in the area, even when the sea conditions are good. The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas of the spot does not exceed 200 meters. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
