Galápagos Sea Lion
Zalophus wollebaeki
- Where
- on most islands
- When
- Year round, more between Aug and Nov
JFMAMJJASOND
On 86 of 97 routes · 2108 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$5,576
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
26/09/2026US$7,992
ELITE · 8-Day Western Islands: El Junco's Bathing Frigatebirds
Rábida Beach, day 6
28/09/2026US$14,095
Solaris · Solaris: Route BCA
Rábida Beach, day 14
29/09/2026US$10,345
Treasure · Treasure: Route BC
Rábida Beach, day 10
29/09/2026US$14,095
Treasure · Treasure: Route BCA
Rábida Beach, day 10
01/10/2026US$6,035
Galaxy Sirius · 6-Day Western & Northern: Rabida's Red Sand Beach
Rábida Beach, day 2
01/10/2026US$18,000
Tribute · Tribute: Route CAB
Rábida Beach, day 14
02/10/2026US$10,345
Solaris · Solaris: Route CA
Rábida Beach, day 10
02/10/2026US$14,095
Solaris · Solaris: Route CAB
Rábida Beach, day 10
03/10/2026US$5,576
Treasure · 7-Day Western Islands: Dragon Hill Land Iguanas
Rábida Beach, day 6
03/10/2026US$10,045
Treasure · Treasure: Route CA
Rábida Beach, day 6
03/10/2026US$14,095
Treasure · Treasure: Route CAB
Rábida Beach, day 6
04/10/2026US$7,992
ENDEMIC · 8-Day Western Islands: Tagus Cove's Sailor Graffiti
Rábida Beach, day 7
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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
Solaris · Solaris: Route CAB
02/10/2026 · 14 nights · from US$14,095
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.
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from US$5,576
821 departures