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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$6,632
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 · 2108 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

See these departures  →

Select a departure that actually reaches it

78 of the 2108 upcoming departures put you where the Galápagos Bullhead Shark is, at the time it is there.

78
  • 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.
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
08/10/2026US$6,632

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

Buccaneer Cove, day 6

Stragglers1 spotAsk about this date
14/10/2026US$6,720

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

Buccaneer Cove, day 5

Stragglers3 spotsAsk about this date
22/10/2026US$6,632

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

Buccaneer Cove, day 6

Stragglers7 spotsAsk about this date
19/11/2026US$6,632

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

Buccaneer Cove, day 6

Stragglers6 spotsAsk about this date
03/12/2026US$6,632

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

Buccaneer Cove, day 6

Stragglers14 spotsAsk about this date
06/01/2027US$8,550

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

Buccaneer Cove, day 5

Stragglers6 spotsAsk about this date
20/01/2027US$8,100

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

Buccaneer Cove, day 5

Stragglers8 spotsAsk about this date
03/02/2027US$8,100

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

Buccaneer Cove, day 5

Stragglers12 spotsAsk about this date
17/02/2027US$8,550

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

Buccaneer Cove, day 5

Stragglers8 spotsAsk about this date
03/03/2027US$8,370

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

Buccaneer Cove, day 5

Stragglers10 spotsAsk about this date
11/03/2027US$8,690

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

Buccaneer Cove, day 6

Stragglers3 spotsAsk about this date
17/03/2027US$8,370

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

Buccaneer Cove, day 5

Stragglers9 spotsAsk about this date
31/03/2027US$8,370

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

Buccaneer Cove, day 5

Stragglers12 spotsAsk about this date
14/04/2027US$8,370

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

Buccaneer Cove, day 5

Stragglers12 spotsAsk about this date
28/04/2027US$8,820

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

Buccaneer Cove, day 5

Stragglers8 spotsAsk about this date
12/05/2027US$8,370

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

Buccaneer Cove, day 5

Stragglers10 spotsAsk about this date
20/05/2027US$8,690

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

Buccaneer Cove, day 6

Stragglers1 spotAsk about this date
26/05/2027US$8,820

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

Buccaneer Cove, day 5

Stragglers12 spotsAsk about this date
03/06/2027US$8,690

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

Buccaneer Cove, day 6

Stragglers16 spotsAsk about this date
09/06/2027US$8,820

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

Buccaneer Cove, day 5

Stragglers12 spotsAsk about this date
23/06/2027US$8,820

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

Buccaneer Cove, day 5

Stragglers12 spotsAsk about this date
07/07/2027US$8,820

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

Buccaneer Cove, day 5

Stragglers10 spotsAsk about this date
15/07/2027US$8,690

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

Buccaneer Cove, day 6

Stragglers16 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

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María Fernanda Ortiz
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from US$6,632
78 departures