The Wildlife

The Galápagos Islands, named after the shells of saddleback Galápagos tortoises, is a mind-blowing experience. Nowhere else in the world can you swim and snorkel with sea lions, watch a penguin waddle into the water, scuba dive with hammerhead sharks, stand right next to two male iguanas fighting for courtship rights, and view a waved albatross, with its 8-foot wingspan, soar along coastal cliffs.

With a lack of predatory mammals, life on the islands is dominated by reptiles, including the famous 400-pound Galápagos Tortoise, land and marine iguanas, snakes, lava lizards, and sea turtles. There are 22 species of reptiles in the Galápagos most of which are endemic (species only found in the Galápagos).

The Galapagos archipelago is one of the most important areas for birds in the world. More than half of the bird species are endemic, and many are iconic for both scientists (Charles Darwin first studied them in 1835) and visitors alike. The Galápagos penguin, flightless cormorant, waved albatross, and lava gull are just a few that are not found anywhere else in the world. The shear number and the seemingly tame nature of these birds amaze all who visit.

Galapagos Main Page

Geography and Geology History of the Islands The Wildlife

Best Time to Visit Galapagos Scuba Diving Map of the Islands

Space on Galápagos vessels is very limited. Please contact us for more information about Galápagos vessels and to check availability.