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Galápagos sea lion hero

Galápagos sea lion

Zalophus wollebaeki

EndemicWater and landEndangered

The Galápagos sea lion is an eared seal endemic to the Galápagos Islands, where it breeds on nearly every island in the archipelago. Colonies haul out on beaches, rocky shores, and harbor jetties, and the animals are often seen resting near visitor sites. The IUCN lists the species as endangered after a decline of roughly 50 percent since the late 1970s, driven partly by El Niño events.

Best time to see it

Present year-round; pupping runs broadly May to January but varies by island, so there is no single citable peak for viewing.

Where to see it

Galápagos sea lion photo 1
Galápagos sea lion photo 2
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Galápagos sea lion photo 4
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Galápagos sea lion photo 8
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Galápagos sea lion photo 10

Cruises to see this species

  • B SOUTHVisits 6 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites

    8-day expedition · Galápagos

  • "E" itineraryVisits 5 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites

    6-day expedition · Galápagos

  • 8 days (A)Visits 5 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites

    8-day expedition · Galápagos

  • "A" itineraryVisits 4 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites

    8-day expedition · Galápagos

  • "B" itineraryVisits 4 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites

    8-day expedition · Galápagos

  • 5 days (A)Visits 4 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites

    5-day expedition · Galápagos

  • 8 Days (C)Visits 4 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites

    8-day expedition · Galápagos

  • B5 SOUTHVisits 4 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites

    5-day expedition · Galápagos

  • "D" itineraryVisits 3 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites

    4-day expedition · Galápagos

  • "F" itineraryVisits 3 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites

    6-day expedition · Galápagos

  • A - North Expedition 4 days - 3 nightsVisits 3 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites

    4-day expedition · Galápagos

  • 8 Days (D)Visits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites

    8-day expedition · Galápagos

  • A NORTHVisits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites

    8-day expedition · Galápagos

  • B - West Expedition 5 days - 4 nightsVisits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites

    5-day expedition · Galápagos

  • B - West Expedition 5 days - 4 nightsVisits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites

    5-day expedition · Galápagos

  • B4 SOUTHVisits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites

    4-day expedition · Galápagos

  • "C" itineraryVisits 1 Signature site — see how we score visitor sites

    5-day expedition · Galápagos

  • 4 Days (A)Visits 1 Signature site — see how we score visitor sites

    4-day expedition · Galápagos

  • 5 days (B)Visits 1 Signature site — see how we score visitor sites

    5-day expedition · Galápagos

  • 8 Days (B)Visits 1 Signature site — see how we score visitor sites

    8-day expedition · Galápagos

  • A - North Expedition 4 days - 3 nightsVisits 1 Signature site — see how we score visitor sites

    4-day expedition · Galápagos

  • A4 NORTHVisits 1 Signature site — see how we score visitor sites

    4-day expedition · Galápagos

  • A5 NORTHVisits 1 Signature site — see how we score visitor sites

    5-day expedition · Galápagos

  • 4 days(B)

    4-day expedition · Galápagos