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 →The Galápagos Cruise · Wildlife
Galápagos Underwater: 22 Species and Where to See Them
22
species recorded
3
found only here
14
islands
US$3,320
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.
Where they are
Tap an island to filter the species below. The number is how many species are recorded there.
1 of 1 species shown
almost alwaysoftensometimesnot in this month
Select a departure that actually reaches it
24/09/2026US$6,632
MONIQUE · 8-Day Western Islands: Elizabeth Bay's Penguins
Mosquera Islet, day 7
24/09/2026US$4,140
Alya · 5-Day Northern & Western: Bartolome's Endemic Plant
Mosquera Islet, day 4
28/09/2026US$3,320
Solaris · 5-Day Northern Islands: South Plaza's Hybrid Iguana
Mosquera Islet, day 2
28/09/2026US$14,095
Solaris · Solaris: Route BCA
Mosquera Islet, day 2
01/10/2026US$13,490
Tribute · Tribute: Route CA
Mosquera Islet, day 8
01/10/2026US$18,000
Tribute · Tribute: Route CAB
Mosquera Islet, day 8
02/10/2026US$14,095
Solaris · Solaris: Route CAB
Mosquera Islet, day 12
03/10/2026US$3,992
ELITE · 4-Day Southern Islands: Espanola's Albatross Colony
Mosquera Islet, day 4
04/10/2026US$7,992
ENDEMIC · 8-Day Western Islands: Tagus Cove's Sailor Graffiti
Mosquera Islet, day 8
06/10/2026US$14,095
Solaris · Solaris: Route ABC
Mosquera Islet, day 8
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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
Tribute · Tribute: Route CA
01/10/2026 · 10 nights · from US$13,490
María Fernanda Ortiz
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María Fernanda Ortiz
We answer personally, and we answer ourselves. A Galápagos trip is once in a lifetime, and you want the right advice before you book.
+ 1 786 509 6338We answer first thing on the next working day
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from US$3,320
482 departures