Whitetip reef shark

Triaenodon obesus

In the waterVulnerable

The whitetip reef shark is a slender reef shark often seen resting on the bottom or in caves by day around Galápagos reefs. It is widespread across the Indo-Pacific and is not endemic to the islands. The IUCN lists the species as vulnerable, with numbers declining from unregulated fishing.

Best time to see it

Resident on Galápagos reefs year-round; no single citable seasonal peak.

Where to see it

Bartolomé
Bartolomé · Likely sighting
Black Turtle Cove
Santa Cruz · Likely sighting
Cabo Marshall
Isabela · Likely sighting
Cerro Dragón
Santa Cruz · Likely sighting
Concha de Perla
Isabela · Likely sighting
Devil’s Crown
Floreana · Likely sighting
El Edén islet
Santa Cruz · Likely sighting
Elizabeth Bay
Isabela · Likely sighting
Las Tintoreras
Isabela · Common sighting
Playa Negra
Marchena · Likely sighting
Punta Carrión
Santa Cruz · Likely sighting
Punta Mangle
Fernandina · Likely sighting
Punta Mejía
Marchena · Likely sighting
Tortuga Bay
Santa Cruz · Likely sighting

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
Born of FireVisits 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
8 Days (C)Visits 4 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
8-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
B4 SOUTHVisits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
4-day expedition · Galápagos
Epic Galápagos Expedition Northwest & Southern LoopVisits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
8-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
A5 NORTHVisits 1 Signature site — see how we score visitor sites
5-day expedition · Galápagos
C - East Expedition 4 days - 3 nightsVisits 1 Signature site — see how we score visitor sites
4-day expedition · Galápagos
Diving ItineraryVisits 1 Signature site — see how we score visitor sites
8-day expedition · Galápagos
4 days(B)
4-day expedition · Galápagos