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The Galápagos Cruise  ·  Wildlife

Galápagos Reptiles: 6 Species and Where to See Them

6
species recorded
5
found only here
12
islands
US$1,800
per guest, double occupancy

Six species are recorded across the 12 islands our ships call at: the giant tortoise, two land iguanas, the marine iguana, the Pacific green sea turtle and the endemic rice rat. Between them they are most of what people picture before they arrive.

Reptiles are the easiest wildlife here to plan around, because almost none of it is seasonal. The giant tortoises are in the Santa Cruz highlands all year and easiest to reach from January to May, when the pastures are wet. Marine iguanas hold the shoreline on every island, and on Española they turn red and green in the mating season. Green sea turtles nest between December and June. Santa Fé has a land iguana that lives nowhere else, and South Plaza the only known hybrids of land and marine iguana. The map below shows which island holds what.

3 of 3 species shown
almost alwaysoftensometimesnot in this month

Galápagos Land Iguana

Conolophus subcristatus

Where
7 sites on 6 islands, mostly South
When
Year round
JFMAMJJASOND

On 83 of 97 routes · 2010 departures in season

See these departures  →

Galápagos Giant Tortoise

Chelonoidis spp.

Where
10 sites on 5 islands, mostly Central
When
Year round, more between Jun and Dec
JFMAMJJASOND

On 85 of 97 routes · 2063 departures in season

See these departures  →

Pacific Green Sea Turtle

Chelonia mydas agassizii

Where
on most islands
When
Year round, more between Jan and Jun
JFMAMJJASOND

On 85 of 97 routes · 1995 departures in season

See these departures  →

Select a departure that actually reaches it

27/09/2026US$3,060

Galaxy Stella  ·  4-Day Southern Islands: Isla Lobos' Fur Seals

Post Office Bay, day 3

Stragglers2 spotsAsk about this date
28/09/2026US$8,300

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route BC

Post Office Bay, day 7

Stragglers11 spotsAsk about this date
28/09/2026US$14,095

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route BCA

Post Office Bay, day 7

Stragglers4 spotsAsk about this date
29/09/2026US$3,735

Treasure  ·  5-Day Southern Islands: Los Gemelos' Daylight Owl

Post Office Bay, day 3

Stragglers4 spotsAsk about this date
29/09/2026US$10,345

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route BC

Post Office Bay, day 3

Stragglers2 spotsAsk about this date
29/09/2026US$14,095

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route BCA

Post Office Bay, day 3

Stragglers2 spotsAsk about this date
01/10/2026US$3,352

MONIQUE  ·  4-Day Southern Islands: Santa Cruz's Wild Tortoises

Post Office Bay, day 2

Stragglers14 spotsAsk about this date
01/10/2026US$13,490

Tribute  ·  Tribute: Route CA

Post Office Bay, day 9

Stragglers14 spotsAsk about this date
01/10/2026US$18,000

Tribute  ·  Tribute: Route CAB

Post Office Bay, day 9

Stragglers14 spotsAsk about this date
02/10/2026US$3,320

Solaris  ·  5-Day Southern Islands: Devil's Crown Hammerhead Sharks

Post Office Bay, day 3

Stragglers13 spotsAsk about this date
02/10/2026US$10,345

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route CA

Post Office Bay, day 3

Stragglers4 spotsAsk about this date
02/10/2026US$14,095

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route CAB

Post Office Bay, day 3

Stragglers4 spotsAsk about this date
03/10/2026US$3,992

ELITE  ·  4-Day Southern Islands: Espanola's Albatross Colony

Post Office Bay, day 3

Stragglers5 spotsAsk about this date
03/10/2026US$14,095

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route CAB

Post Office Bay, day 13

Stragglers2 spotsAsk about this date
05/10/2026US$10,300

Archipel I  ·  Archipel I: Route AB

Post Office Bay, day 12

Stragglers1 spotAsk about this date
06/10/2026US$5,130

Galaxy Sirius  ·  5-Day Southern Islands: Isla Lobos' Sea Lion Colony

Post Office Bay, day 3

Stragglers4 spotsAsk about this date
06/10/2026US$14,095

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route ABC

Post Office Bay, day 13

Stragglers4 spotsAsk about this date
07/10/2026US$4,956

Tribute  ·  5-Day Southern Islands: Espanola's Albatross Colony

Post Office Bay, day 3

Stragglers14 spotsAsk about this date
07/10/2026US$11,150

Tribute  ·  Tribute: Route AB

Post Office Bay, day 3

Stragglers14 spotsAsk about this date
07/10/2026US$18,000

Tribute  ·  Tribute: Route ABC

Post Office Bay, day 3

Stragglers14 spotsAsk about this date
08/10/2026US$8,345

Archipel I  ·  Archipel I: Route A5B

Post Office Bay, day 9

Stragglers1 spotAsk about this date
09/10/2026US$8,300

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route AB

Post Office Bay, day 7

Stragglers2 spotsAsk about this date
09/10/2026US$14,095

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route ABC

Post Office Bay, day 7

Stragglers2 spotsAsk about this date
11/10/2026US$1,800

Galaxy Stella  ·  4-Day Southern Islands: Isla Lobos' Fur Seals

Post Office Bay, day 3

Stragglers4 spotsAsk about this date

What's included

All meals on board

Two certified national park naturalist guides

All excursions and landings listed in the itinerary

Snorkelling gear and wetsuit

Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards on board

Coffee, tea and water at any time

Your selection
ELITE · 4-Day Southern Islands: Espanola's Albatross Colony
03/10/2026 · 3 nights · from US$3,992
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María Fernanda Ortiz
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