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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$2,966
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.

3 of 3 species shown
almost alwaysoftensometimesnot in this month

Galápagos Fur Seal

Arctocephalus galapagoensis

Where
7 sites on 5 islands, mostly Central
When
Year round
JFMAMJJASOND

On 82 of 97 routes · 1992 departures in season

See these departures  →

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  →

Galápagos Bullhead Shark

Heterodontus quoyi

Buccaneer Cove
Where
1 site, Buccaneer Cove
When
Year round
JFMAMJJASOND

On 2 of 97 routes · 78 departures in season

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Select a departure that actually reaches it

24/09/2026US$6,632

MONIQUE  ·  8-Day Western Islands: Elizabeth Bay's Penguins

Buccaneer Cove, day 6

Stragglers16 spotsAsk about this date
24/09/2026US$2,966

Archipel I  ·  5-Day Western Islands: Puerto Egas' Fur Seal Colony

Puerto Egas, day 4

Likely2 spotsAsk about this date
26/09/2026US$4,080

EcoGalaxy  ·  6-Day Western Islands: Dragon Hill's Restoration

Puerto Egas, day 5

Likely5 spotsAsk about this date
28/09/2026US$5,415

Alya  ·  6-Day Western Islands: Punta Vicente Roca's Mantas

Puerto Egas, day 5

Likely3 spotsAsk about this date
28/09/2026US$14,095

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route BCA

Puerto Egas, day 13

Likely4 spotsAsk about this date
29/09/2026US$10,345

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route BC

Puerto Egas, day 10

Likely2 spotsAsk about this date
29/09/2026US$14,095

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route BCA

Puerto Egas, day 10

Likely2 spotsAsk about this date
30/09/2026US$7,140

Galaxy Stella  ·  8-Day Western Islands: Mangle Point's Rare Access

Buccaneer Cove, day 5

Stragglers4 spotsAsk about this date
02/10/2026US$10,345

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route CA

Puerto Egas, day 9

Likely4 spotsAsk about this date
02/10/2026US$14,095

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route CAB

Puerto Egas, day 9

Likely4 spotsAsk about this date
03/10/2026US$3,570

Galaxy Orion  ·  8-Day Western Islands: Isabela's Tortoise Hatchery

Puerto Egas, day 6

03/10/2026US$5,576

Treasure  ·  7-Day Western Islands: Dragon Hill Land Iguanas

Puerto Egas, day 6

Likely2 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
Solaris · Solaris: Route CA
02/10/2026 · 10 nights · from US$10,345
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María Fernanda Ortiz
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from US$2,966
801 departures