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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 · 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

676 of the 2108 upcoming departures put you where the Spotted Eagle Ray is, at the time it is there.

676
  • 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$4,080

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

28/09/2026US$5,415

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

28/09/2026US$14,095

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route BCA

29/09/2026US$10,345

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route BC

29/09/2026US$14,095

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route BCA

30/09/2026US$7,140

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

02/10/2026US$10,345

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route CA

02/10/2026US$14,095

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route CAB

03/10/2026US$3,570

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

03/10/2026US$14,095

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route CAB

05/10/2026US$5,295

Archipel I  ·  8-Day Western Islands: Urbina Bay's Coral Uplift

05/10/2026US$7,475

Archipel I  ·  Archipel I: Route AB4

05/10/2026US$10,300

Archipel I  ·  Archipel I: Route AB

06/10/2026US$10,345

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route AB

06/10/2026US$14,095

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route ABC

08/10/2026US$6,632

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

08/10/2026US$5,295

Archipel I  ·  Archipel I: Route A5B4

08/10/2026US$2,966

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

08/10/2026US$8,345

Archipel I  ·  Archipel I: Route A5B

09/10/2026US$14,095

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route ABC

12/10/2026US$5,415

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

12/10/2026US$14,095

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route BCA

13/10/2026US$10,345

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route BC

13/10/2026US$14,095

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route BCA

14/10/2026US$6,720

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

16/10/2026US$10,345

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route CA

20/10/2026US$4,952

ELITE  ·  5-Day Northern & Western: Darwin Bay's Flooded Caldera

22/10/2026US$6,632

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

22/10/2026US$2,966

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

24/10/2026US$6,390

Galaxy Sirius  ·  6-Day Western Islands: Albemarle Point's WWII Ruins

26/10/2026US$5,700

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

27/10/2026US$10,345

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route BC

27/10/2026US$14,095

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route BCA

30/10/2026US$10,345

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route CA

31/10/2026US$14,095

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route CAB

07/11/2026US$7,100

Galaxy Sirius  ·  6-Day Western Islands: Albemarle Point's WWII Ruins

08/11/2026US$4,135

Bonita  ·  7-Day Western Islands: Dragon Hill's Flamingos

09/11/2026US$5,700

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

19/11/2026US$6,632

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

20/11/2026US$14,095

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route ABC

21/11/2026US$5,100

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

23/11/2026US$5,700

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

23/11/2026US$14,095

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route BCA

24/11/2026US$10,345

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route BC

24/11/2026US$14,095

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route BCA

28/11/2026US$14,095

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route CAB

03/12/2026US$6,632

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

04/12/2026US$14,095

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route ABC

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$2,966
676 departures