Underwater World

Sea turtles, sea lions, rays, sharks, seahorses and large schools of colourful fish are just some of the creatures you can see during an afternoon’s snorkelling.

Diving is definitely worth it. You can book a dedicated diving cruise, but it’s also possible to add a day of diving to another cruise or during a stay on land. We’d be happy to tell you more about the options.

Whilst snorkelling, or even just walking along the beach by the coast, you’ll have the chance to spot rays. There are various species of ray, such as the spotted eagle ray, the stingray and the golden ray, and if you’re out at sea, you might even spot the gigantic, impressive manta ray.

As well as the giant tortoises on the mainland, the Galapagos are also home to various species of sea turtle. These are generally a size or two larger than the sea turtles found elsewhere in the world. Whilst snorkelling, you might just find yourself coming face to face with these heavyweights.

With its red and yellow colouring, this Sally Lightfoot crab is an iconic sight on the black lava rocks near the sea. If you spot this crab, you can be sure you’re in the Galápagos.

Swimming with sharks – it sounds very exciting. However, most sharks aren’t dangerous. This is also true of the sharks found near the islands’ coastlines. Whilst snorkelling, you’re most likely to encounter the whitetip reef shark. If you go diving, there are also spots where you can swim with hammerhead sharks.