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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$2,900
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.

5 of 5 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 Shark

Carcharhinus galapagensis

Where
4 sites on 4 islands, mostly Central
When
Year round
JFMAMJJASOND

On 12 of 97 routes · 217 departures in season

See these departures  →

Giant Manta Ray

Mobula birostris

Where
5 sites on 5 islands, mostly Central
When
Jun to Nov
JFMAMJJASOND

On 50 of 97 routes · 704 departures in season

See these departures  →

Scalloped Hammerhead

Sphyrna lewini

Where
5 sites on 5 islands, mostly South
When
Year round, more between Jun and Nov
JFMAMJJASOND

On 12 of 97 routes · 217 departures in season

See these departures  →

Select a departure that actually reaches it

217 of the 2107 upcoming departures put you where the Scalloped Hammerhead is, at the time it is there.

217
  • 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.
26/09/2026US$7,992

ELITE  ·  8-Day Western Islands: El Junco's Bathing Frigatebirds

Kicker Rock (León Dormido), day 7

Possible6 spotsAsk about this date
04/10/2026US$4,152

MONIQUE  ·  5-Day Southern & Western: Kicker Rock's Swim Channel

Kicker Rock (León Dormido), day 1

Possible6 spotsAsk about this date
07/10/2026US$3,840

Galaxy Stella  ·  5-Day Northern Islands: Kicker Rock's Shark Channel

Kicker Rock (León Dormido), day 5

Possible4 spotsAsk about this date
10/10/2026US$7,992

ELITE  ·  8-Day Western Islands: El Junco's Bathing Frigatebirds

Kicker Rock (León Dormido), day 7

Possible6 spotsAsk about this date
18/10/2026US$4,152

MONIQUE  ·  5-Day Southern & Western: Kicker Rock's Swim Channel

Kicker Rock (León Dormido), day 1

Possible7 spotsAsk about this date
24/10/2026US$7,992

ELITE  ·  8-Day Western Islands: El Junco's Bathing Frigatebirds

Kicker Rock (León Dormido), day 7

Possible3 spotsAsk about this date
01/11/2026US$4,152

MONIQUE  ·  5-Day Southern & Western: Kicker Rock's Swim Channel

Kicker Rock (León Dormido), day 1

Possible10 spotsAsk about this date
04/11/2026US$4,080

Galaxy Stella  ·  5-Day Northern Islands: Kicker Rock's Shark Channel

Kicker Rock (León Dormido), day 5

Possible5 spotsAsk about this date
08/11/2026US$4,952

ENDEMIC  ·  5-Day Southern Islands: Lonesome George's Legacy

Kicker Rock (León Dormido), day 2

Possible6 spotsAsk about this date
14/11/2026US$2,900

Bonita  ·  5-Day Southern Islands: Isla Lobos' Coastal Trail

Kicker Rock (León Dormido), day 4

Possible3 spotsAsk about this date
15/11/2026US$4,152

MONIQUE  ·  5-Day Southern & Western: Kicker Rock's Swim Channel

Kicker Rock (León Dormido), day 1

Possible1 spotAsk about this date
18/11/2026US$4,320

Galaxy Stella  ·  5-Day Northern Islands: Kicker Rock's Shark Channel

Kicker Rock (León Dormido), day 5

Possible4 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$2,900
217 departures