Galápagos Sea Lion
Zalophus wollebaeki
- Where
- on most islands
- When
- Year round, more between Aug and Nov
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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$2,036
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.
Where they are
Tap an island to filter the species below. The number is how many species are recorded there.
1 of 1 species shown
almost alwaysoftensometimesnot in this month
Select a departure that actually reaches it
28/09/2026US$14,095
Solaris · Solaris: Route BCA
Chinese Hat, day 14
30/09/2026US$7,140
Galaxy Stella · 8-Day Western Islands: Mangle Point's Rare Access
Chinese Hat, day 7
01/10/2026US$6,035
Galaxy Sirius · 6-Day Western & Northern: Rabida's Red Sand Beach
Chinese Hat, day 2
01/10/2026US$18,000
Tribute · Tribute: Route CAB
Chinese Hat, day 14
02/10/2026US$10,345
Solaris · Solaris: Route CA
Chinese Hat, day 10
02/10/2026US$14,095
Solaris · Solaris: Route CAB
Chinese Hat, day 10
05/10/2026US$5,295
Archipel I · 8-Day Western Islands: Urbina Bay's Coral Uplift
Chinese Hat, day 3
05/10/2026US$2,036
Archipel I · 4-Day Southern & Northern: Chinese Hat's Shark Channel
Chinese Hat, day 3
05/10/2026US$7,475
Archipel I · Archipel I: Route AB4
Chinese Hat, day 3
05/10/2026US$10,300
Archipel I · Archipel I: Route AB
Chinese Hat, day 3
06/10/2026US$5,266
Solaris · 7-Day Western Islands: Las Tintoreras' Reef Sharks
Chinese Hat, day 6
06/10/2026US$10,345
Solaris · Solaris: Route AB
Chinese Hat, day 6
06/10/2026US$14,095
Solaris · Solaris: Route ABC
Chinese Hat, day 6
07/10/2026US$11,150
Tribute · Tribute: Route AB
Chinese Hat, day 8
07/10/2026US$18,000
Tribute · Tribute: Route ABC
Chinese Hat, day 8
08/10/2026US$6,632
MONIQUE · 8-Day Western Islands: Elizabeth Bay's Penguins
Chinese Hat, day 2
12/10/2026US$14,095
Solaris · Solaris: Route BCA
Chinese Hat, day 14
14/10/2026US$6,720
Galaxy Stella · 8-Day Western Islands: Mangle Point's Rare Access
Chinese Hat, day 7
15/10/2026US$5,992
ENDEMIC · Western Galápagos Islands
Chinese Hat, day 3
15/10/2026US$6,390
Galaxy Sirius · 6-Day Western & Northern: Rabida's Red Sand Beach
Chinese Hat, day 2
15/10/2026US$4,335
EcoGalaxy · 6-Day Western & Northern: Bartolome's Pinnacle Rock
Chinese Hat, day 2
16/10/2026US$10,345
Solaris · Solaris: Route CA
Chinese Hat, day 10
20/10/2026US$5,266
Solaris · 7-Day Western Islands: Las Tintoreras' Reef Sharks
Chinese Hat, day 6
21/10/2026US$11,150
Tribute · Tribute: Route AB
Chinese Hat, day 8
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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
Solaris · 7-Day Western Islands: Las Tintoreras' Reef Sharks
06/10/2026 · 6 nights · from US$5,266
María Fernanda Ortiz
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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
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from US$2,036
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