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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$2,036
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.

1 of 1 species shown
almost alwaysoftensometimesnot in this month

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  →

Select a departure that actually reaches it

24/09/2026US$6,632

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

Chinese Hat, day 2

Stragglers16 spotsAsk about this date
24/09/2026US$4,140

Alya  ·  5-Day Northern & Western: Bartolome's Endemic Plant

Chinese Hat, day 4

Stragglers4 spotsAsk about this date
28/09/2026US$14,095

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route BCA

Chinese Hat, day 14

Stragglers4 spotsAsk about this date
30/09/2026US$7,140

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

Chinese Hat, day 7

Stragglers4 spotsAsk about this date
01/10/2026US$6,035

Galaxy Sirius  ·  6-Day Western & Northern: Rabida's Red Sand Beach

Chinese Hat, day 2

Stragglers7 spotsAsk about this date
01/10/2026US$18,000

Tribute  ·  Tribute: Route CAB

Chinese Hat, day 14

Stragglers14 spotsAsk about this date
02/10/2026US$10,345

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route CA

Chinese Hat, day 10

Stragglers4 spotsAsk about this date
02/10/2026US$14,095

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route CAB

Chinese Hat, day 10

Stragglers4 spotsAsk about this date
05/10/2026US$5,295

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

Chinese Hat, day 3

Stragglers1 spotAsk about this date
05/10/2026US$2,036

Archipel I  ·  4-Day Southern & Northern: Chinese Hat's Shark Channel

Chinese Hat, day 3

Stragglers5 spotsAsk about this date
05/10/2026US$7,475

Archipel I  ·  Archipel I: Route AB4

Chinese Hat, day 3

Stragglers1 spotAsk about this date
05/10/2026US$10,300

Archipel I  ·  Archipel I: Route AB

Chinese Hat, day 3

Stragglers1 spotAsk about this date
06/10/2026US$5,266

Solaris  ·  7-Day Western Islands: Las Tintoreras' Reef Sharks

Chinese Hat, day 6

Stragglers4 spotsAsk about this date
06/10/2026US$10,345

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route AB

Chinese Hat, day 6

Stragglers4 spotsAsk about this date
06/10/2026US$14,095

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route ABC

Chinese Hat, day 6

Stragglers4 spotsAsk about this date
07/10/2026US$11,150

Tribute  ·  Tribute: Route AB

Chinese Hat, day 8

Stragglers14 spotsAsk about this date
07/10/2026US$18,000

Tribute  ·  Tribute: Route ABC

Chinese Hat, day 8

Stragglers14 spotsAsk about this date
08/10/2026US$6,632

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

Chinese Hat, day 2

Stragglers1 spotAsk about this date
12/10/2026US$14,095

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route BCA

Chinese Hat, day 14

Stragglers5 spotsAsk about this date
14/10/2026US$6,720

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

Chinese Hat, day 7

Stragglers3 spotsAsk about this date
15/10/2026US$5,992

ENDEMIC  ·  Western Galápagos Islands

Chinese Hat, day 3

Stragglers8 spotsAsk about this date
15/10/2026US$6,390

Galaxy Sirius  ·  6-Day Western & Northern: Rabida's Red Sand Beach

Chinese Hat, day 2

Stragglers8 spotsAsk about this date
15/10/2026US$4,335

EcoGalaxy  ·  6-Day Western & Northern: Bartolome's Pinnacle Rock

Chinese Hat, day 2

Stragglers5 spotsAsk about this date
16/10/2026US$10,345

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route CA

Chinese Hat, day 10

Stragglers5 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
ENDEMIC · Western Galápagos Islands
15/10/2026 · 5 nights · from US$5,992
Change
María Fernanda Ortiz
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from US$2,036
813 departures