Los Túneles
Los Túneles (Cabo Rosa)
A shallow lagoon enclosed by lava arches and tunnels. Snorkelers can see sea turtles, sea horses and whitetip reef sharks up close, and blue-footed boobies nest on the shore.
The Tunnels area lies about 30 km west of Puerto Villamil, at Cabo Rosa. Submarine lava flows cooled into many arches, tunnels and small lava islets dotted with cacti, enclosing calm, clear shallow water. A half-day trip first goes ashore on a lava island to watch blue-footed boobies courting and nesting, then goes into the water to snorkel. Green sea turtles often rest in groups, whitetip reef sharks sleep in the caves, and you may also see sea horses, eagle rays and sea lions. It can only be done as a boat tour with a licensed travel agency. The tour takes about 5–6 hours and costs roughly US$120–150, including equipment and lunch. The boat ride takes about 45 minutes. Swells can be large when entering and leaving the reef area, so anyone prone to seasickness should take medication beforehand. Daily spots are limited, so book early in peak season.
Opening hours
Boat trips depart morning or afternoon
Nearby sights
- Wall of Tears
- Arnaldo Tupiza Tortoise Breeding Center
- Las Tintoreras
- Poza de los Flamencos
- Puerto Villamil Beach
- Concha de Perla
- Sierra Negra & Volcán Chico
- Cuatro Hermanos Islets