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The Galápagos Cruise  ·  Wildlife

Galápagos Underwater: 22 Species and Where to See Them

22
species recorded
3
found only here
14
islands
US$8,345
per guest, double occupancy

Twenty-two species are recorded in the water around the 14 islands our ships reach. Most of what you will actually swim with turns up on ordinary snorkeling stops rather than on dedicated dives: sea lions, fur seals, white-tipped reef sharks and rays. Bottlenose dolphins often ride the bow between islands.

The water changes with the season more than the animals do. December to May the sea is warm, the surface is calm and the visibility is at its clearest, which is the better half of the year for snorkeling. From June the cold Cromwell current pushes up the west coast, the water is colder and richer, and the larger animals feed closer in. Sea lion pups arrive between August and November and are the most curious thing you will meet in the water. Kicker Rock is the hammerhead site and it is never promised. Devil's Crown closes when the swell is wrong. The map below shows which island holds what.

2 of 2 species shown
almost alwaysoftensometimesnot in this month

Galápagos Sea Lion

Zalophus wollebaeki

Where
on most islands
When
Year round, more between Aug and Nov
JFMAMJJASOND

On 86 of 97 routes · 2107 departures in season

See these departures  →

Spotted Eagle Ray

Aetobatus laticeps

Where
5 sites on 5 islands, mostly South
When
Year round
JFMAMJJASOND

On 77 of 97 routes · 1852 departures in season

See these departures  →

Select a departure that actually reaches it

339 of the 2107 upcoming departures put you where the Giant Manta Ray is, at the time it is there.

339
  • You see it. The ship is at the site while the species is recorded there.
  • Right island, wrong month. The route calls there outside the months on record.
  • Never gets there. The route does not call at any of its sites.
28/09/2026US$14,095

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route BCA

29/09/2026US$10,345

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route BC

29/09/2026US$14,095

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route BCA

01/10/2026US$13,490

Tribute  ·  Tribute: Route CA

01/10/2026US$18,000

Tribute  ·  Tribute: Route CAB

02/10/2026US$10,345

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route CA

02/10/2026US$14,095

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route CAB

03/10/2026US$14,095

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route CAB

05/10/2026US$10,300

Archipel I  ·  Archipel I: Route AB

06/10/2026US$14,095

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route ABC

07/10/2026US$18,000

Tribute  ·  Tribute: Route ABC

08/10/2026US$8,345

Archipel I  ·  Archipel I: Route A5B

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

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María Fernanda Ortiz
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from US$8,345
339 departures