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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$1,800
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.

9 of 11 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  →

Balloonfish

Diodon holocanthus

Where
on most islands
When
Year round
JFMAMJJASOND

Not on any itinerary we sell

Diamond Stingray

Dasyatis brevis

Devil's Crown
Where
1 site, Devil's Crown
When
Year round
JFMAMJJASOND

Not on any itinerary we sell

Giant Hawkfish

Cirrhitus rivulatus

Devil's Crown
Where
1 site, Devil's Crown
When
Year round
JFMAMJJASOND

Not on any itinerary we sell

King Angelfish

Holacanthus passer

Devil's Crown
Where
1 site, Devil's Crown
When
Year round
JFMAMJJASOND

Not on any itinerary we sell

Tiger Snake Eel

Myrichthys tigrinus

Devil's Crown
Where
1 site, Devil's Crown
When
Year round
JFMAMJJASOND

Not on any itinerary we sell

Wrasse

Labridae

Where
on most islands
When
Year round
JFMAMJJASOND

Not on any itinerary we sell

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 · 214 departures in season

See these departures  →

Select a departure that actually reaches it

27/09/2026US$3,600

Galaxy Stella  ·  4-Day Southern Islands: Isla Lobos' Fur Seals

Post Office Bay, day 3

Stragglers2 spotsAsk about this date
28/09/2026US$8,300

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route BC

Post Office Bay, day 7

Stragglers11 spotsAsk about this date
28/09/2026US$14,095

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route BCA

Post Office Bay, day 7

Stragglers4 spotsAsk about this date
29/09/2026US$3,735

Treasure  ·  5-Day Southern Islands: Los Gemelos' Daylight Owl

Post Office Bay, day 3

Stragglers4 spotsAsk about this date
29/09/2026US$10,345

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route BC

Post Office Bay, day 3

Stragglers2 spotsAsk about this date
29/09/2026US$14,095

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route BCA

Post Office Bay, day 3

Stragglers2 spotsAsk about this date
01/10/2026US$3,352

MONIQUE  ·  4-Day Southern Islands: Santa Cruz's Wild Tortoises

Post Office Bay, day 2

Stragglers14 spotsAsk about this date
01/10/2026US$13,490

Tribute  ·  Tribute: Route CA

Post Office Bay, day 9

Stragglers14 spotsAsk about this date
01/10/2026US$18,000

Tribute  ·  Tribute: Route CAB

Post Office Bay, day 9

Stragglers14 spotsAsk about this date
02/10/2026US$3,320

Solaris  ·  5-Day Southern Islands: Devil's Crown Hammerhead Sharks

Post Office Bay, day 3

Stragglers13 spotsAsk about this date
02/10/2026US$10,345

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route CA

Post Office Bay, day 3

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

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route CAB

Post Office Bay, day 3

Stragglers4 spotsAsk about this date
03/10/2026US$3,992

ELITE  ·  4-Day Southern Islands: Espanola's Albatross Colony

Post Office Bay, day 3

Stragglers5 spotsAsk about this date
03/10/2026US$14,095

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route CAB

Post Office Bay, day 13

Stragglers2 spotsAsk about this date
05/10/2026US$10,300

Archipel I  ·  Archipel I: Route AB

Post Office Bay, day 12

Stragglers1 spotAsk about this date
06/10/2026US$5,130

Galaxy Sirius  ·  5-Day Southern Islands: Isla Lobos' Sea Lion Colony

Post Office Bay, day 3

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

Solaris  ·  Solaris: Route ABC

Post Office Bay, day 13

Stragglers4 spotsAsk about this date
07/10/2026US$4,956

Tribute  ·  5-Day Southern Islands: Espanola's Albatross Colony

Post Office Bay, day 3

Stragglers14 spotsAsk about this date
07/10/2026US$11,150

Tribute  ·  Tribute: Route AB

Post Office Bay, day 3

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

Tribute  ·  Tribute: Route ABC

Post Office Bay, day 3

Stragglers14 spotsAsk about this date
08/10/2026US$8,345

Archipel I  ·  Archipel I: Route A5B

Post Office Bay, day 9

Stragglers1 spotAsk about this date
09/10/2026US$8,300

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route AB

Post Office Bay, day 7

Stragglers2 spotsAsk about this date
09/10/2026US$14,095

Treasure  ·  Treasure: Route ABC

Post Office Bay, day 7

Stragglers2 spotsAsk about this date
11/10/2026US$1,800

Galaxy Stella  ·  4-Day Southern Islands: Isla Lobos' Fur Seals

Post Office Bay, day 3

Stragglers4 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
ELITE · 4-Day Southern Islands: Espanola's Albatross Colony
03/10/2026 · 3 nights · from US$3,992
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María Fernanda Ortiz
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from US$1,800
1011 departures