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 →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.
2 of 2 species shown
almost alwaysoftensometimesnot in this month
Spotted Eagle Ray
Aetobatus laticeps
- Where
- 5 sites on 5 islands, mostly South
- When
- Year round
JFMAMJJASOND
On 77 of 97 routes · 1852 departures in season
See these departures →Select a departure that actually reaches it
26/09/2026US$2,120
Galaxy Orion · 5-Day Western & Southern: San Cristobal's Highlands
Santa Fé Bay, day 3
28/09/2026US$3,320
Solaris · 5-Day Northern Islands: South Plaza's Hybrid Iguana
Santa Fé Bay, day 4
28/09/2026US$8,300
Solaris · Solaris: Route BC
Santa Fé Bay, day 4
28/09/2026US$14,095
Solaris · Solaris: Route BCA
Santa Fé Bay, day 4
29/09/2026US$3,735
Treasure · 5-Day Southern Islands: Los Gemelos' Daylight Owl
Santa Fé Bay, day 4
29/09/2026US$10,345
Treasure · Treasure: Route BC
Santa Fé Bay, day 4
29/09/2026US$14,095
Treasure · Treasure: Route BCA
Santa Fé Bay, day 4
01/10/2026US$18,000
Tribute · Tribute: Route CAB
Santa Fé Bay, day 12
02/10/2026US$14,095
Solaris · Solaris: Route CAB
Santa Fé Bay, day 14
03/10/2026US$14,095
Treasure · Treasure: Route CAB
Santa Fé Bay, day 14
04/10/2026US$4,152
MONIQUE · 5-Day Southern & Western: Kicker Rock's Swim Channel
Santa Fé Bay, day 2
05/10/2026US$5,295
Archipel I · 8-Day Western Islands: Urbina Bay's Coral Uplift
Santa Fé Bay, day 2
05/10/2026US$2,036
Archipel I · 4-Day Southern & Northern: Chinese Hat's Shark Channel
Santa Fé Bay, day 2
05/10/2026US$7,475
Archipel I · Archipel I: Route AB4
Santa Fé Bay, day 2
05/10/2026US$10,300
Archipel I · Archipel I: Route AB
Santa Fé Bay, day 2
06/10/2026US$5,130
Galaxy Sirius · 5-Day Southern Islands: Isla Lobos' Sea Lion Colony
Santa Fé Bay, day 4
06/10/2026US$10,345
Solaris · Solaris: Route AB
Santa Fé Bay, day 10
06/10/2026US$14,095
Solaris · Solaris: Route ABC
Santa Fé Bay, day 10
07/10/2026US$3,840
Galaxy Stella · 5-Day Northern Islands: Kicker Rock's Shark Channel
Santa Fé Bay, day 2
07/10/2026US$11,150
Tribute · Tribute: Route AB
Santa Fé Bay, day 6
07/10/2026US$18,000
Tribute · Tribute: Route ABC
Santa Fé Bay, day 6
09/10/2026US$8,300
Treasure · Treasure: Route AB
Santa Fé Bay, day 8
09/10/2026US$14,095
Treasure · Treasure: Route ABC
Santa Fé Bay, day 8
12/10/2026US$3,528
Solaris · 5-Day Northern Islands: South Plaza's Hybrid Iguana
Santa Fé Bay, day 4
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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
Tribute · Tribute: Route ABC
07/10/2026 · 14 nights · from US$18,000
María Fernanda Ortiz
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Prefer to talk? + 1 786 509 6338
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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
952 departures