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$2,120
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.
3 of 3 species shown
almost alwaysoftensometimesnot in this month
Giant Manta Ray
Mobula birostris
- Where
- 5 sites on 5 islands, mostly Central
- When
- Jun to Nov
JFMAMJJASOND
On 50 of 97 routes · 691 departures in season
See these departures →White-tipped Reef Shark
Triaenodon obesus
- Where
- on most islands
- When
- Year round
JFMAMJJASOND
On 40 of 97 routes · 855 departures in season
See these departures →Select a departure that actually reaches it
1002 of the 2108 upcoming departures put you where the Galápagos Sea Lion is, at the time it is there.
1002
- 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.
25/09/2026US$3,320
Treasure · 5-Day Northern & Western: Punta Pitt's Triple Boobies
Bartolomé Summit, day 2
26/09/2026US$7,992
ELITE · 8-Day Western Islands: El Junco's Bathing Frigatebirds
Bartolomé Summit, day 6
26/09/2026US$2,120
Galaxy Orion · 5-Day Western & Southern: San Cristobal's Highlands
Bartolomé Summit, day 2
28/09/2026US$8,300
Solaris · Solaris: Route BC
Bartolomé Summit, day 8
28/09/2026US$14,095
Solaris · Solaris: Route BCA
Bartolomé Summit, day 8
29/09/2026US$14,095
Treasure · Treasure: Route BCA
Bartolomé Summit, day 12
30/09/2026US$7,140
Galaxy Stella · 8-Day Western Islands: Mangle Point's Rare Access
Bartolomé Summit, day 6
01/10/2026US$6,035
Galaxy Sirius · 6-Day Western & Northern: Rabida's Red Sand Beach
Bartolomé Summit, day 4
01/10/2026US$13,490
Tribute · Tribute: Route CA
Bartolomé Summit, day 5
01/10/2026US$18,000
Tribute · Tribute: Route CAB
Bartolomé Summit, day 5
02/10/2026US$3,320
Solaris · 5-Day Southern Islands: Devil's Crown Hammerhead Sharks
Bartolomé Summit, day 4
02/10/2026US$10,345
Solaris · Solaris: Route CA
Bartolomé Summit, day 4
Show more departures of shown
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
Galaxy Stella · 8-Day Western Islands: Mangle Point's Rare Access
30/09/2026 · 7 nights · from US$7,140
María Fernanda Ortiz
We reply within one business day
Prefer to talk? + 1 786 509 6338
We answer first thing on the next working day
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
Talk to us
Tell us who is traveling and we will check this departure for availability.
from US$2,120
1002 departures