Galapagos Activities and Galapagos iconic species

Galapagos Albatross

The Galapagos Albatross – a seabird endemic to Ecuador – can be observed migrating back to the archipelago each year. Their impressive wingspan measures approximately 13 feet (4 meters) and their famous courtship dance are a sight to behold. Watch as they engage on an elaborate dance that includes sword fighting with their beaks. You will find them on Española Island.

Galapagos Albatross

The Galapagos Albatross – a seabird endemic to Ecuador – can be observed migrating back to the archipelago each year. Their impressive wingspan measures approximately 13 feet (4 meters) and their famous courtship dance are a sight to behold. Watch as they engage on an elaborate dance that includes sword fighting with their beaks. You will find them on Española Island.

Blue-footed Booby

Even though they move clumsily on land and are famous for their odd and charming courtship dance, these seabirds are unmeasurably agile flyers and divers when it comes to catching their prey. They can be seen throughout the Galapagos archipelago on each of our itineraries and are a favorite of many visitors because of the beautiful turquoise hue of their feet.

Blue-footed Booby

Even though they move clumsily on land and are famous for their odd and charming courtship dance, these seabirds are unmeasurably agile flyers and divers when it comes to catching their prey. They can be seen throughout the Galapagos archipelago on each of our itineraries and are a favorite of many visitors because of the beautiful turquoise hue of their feet.

Nazca Booby

The biggest one of the booby species, the Nazca booby, is easily recognized for its white plumage and black mask. They can be found nesting on the islands of Genovesa and Española, were they demonstrate their competitive spirit from a very early age. The strongest hatchling will push its weaker sibling out of the nest where it will be no longer be protected and fed by its parents.

Nazca Booby

The biggest one of the booby species, the Nazca booby, is easily recognized for its white plumage and black mask. They can be found nesting on the islands of Genovesa and Española, were they demonstrate their competitive spirit from a very early age. The strongest hatchling will push its weaker sibling out of the nest where it will be no longer be protected and fed by its parents.

Red-footed Booby

This seabird is the smallest one in the booby family. Their special abilities on air and sea make them keen hunters and divers. Red-footed boobies nest atop branches of small bushes that grow by the coastlines of Genovesa Island, Punta Pitt on San Cristobal Island, and North Seymour. It’s the booby species with the most sizeable population but not the easiest to spot.

Red-footed Booby

This seabird is the smallest one in the booby family. Their special abilities on air and sea make them keen hunters and divers. Red-footed boobies nest atop branches of small bushes that grow by the coastlines of Genovesa Island, Punta Pitt on San Cristobal Island, and North Seymour. It’s the booby species with the most sizeable population but not the easiest to spot.

Flightless Cormorant

Found only on Fernandina Island and the western coast of Isabela Island, this species is a clear example of evolution. The only seabird in the world that has lost its ability to fly – except for penguins – in order to adapt to the requirements of life at sea. Its solid bones and plumage that feels more like fur than feathers, allow it to spend more time in the water looking for food.

Flightless Cormorant

Found only on Fernandina Island and the western coast of Isabela Island, this species is a clear example of evolution. The only seabird in the world that has lost its ability to fly – except for penguins – in order to adapt to the requirements of life at sea. Its solid bones and plumage that feels more like fur than feathers, allow it to spend more time in the water looking for food.

American Flamingo

Also known as the Galapagos flamingo, this impressive bird nests and forages on saline lagoons located on the islands of Isabela, Floreana, and Santiago. They owe their beautiful pink hue to their diet, which consists mainly of shrimp, a crustacean containing carotenoids – a red pigment. They are found in small numbers and its population on the islands is considered highly vulnerable.

American Flamingo

Also known as the Galapagos flamingo, this impressive bird nests and forages on saline lagoons located on the islands of Isabela, Floreana, and Santiago. They owe their beautiful pink hue to their diet, which consists mainly of shrimp, a crustacean containing carotenoids – a red pigment. They are found in small numbers and its population on the islands is considered highly vulnerable.

Frigatebirds: Great and Magnificent

In no other place on Earth but the Galapagos Islands do both great and magnificent frigatebirds coexist. They are easily recognized for their black plumage (with subtle differences between species and genders) and their impressive crimson gular sac. Both species look for fish in the sea while flying, but they are also known to steal food from other seabirds.

Frigatebirds: Great and Magnificent

In no other place on Earth but the Galapagos Islands do both great and magnificent frigatebirds coexist. They are easily recognized for their black plumage (with subtle differences between species and genders) and their impressive crimson gular sac. Both species look for fish in the sea while flying, but they are also known to steal food from other seabirds.

Galapagos Hawk

Don’t be mistaken by its size, the Galapagos hawk is the only predator in the Islands and the top animal of the food chain in the Enchanted Isles. This endemic bird is present in most of the Islands in the Galapagos and are generally unafraid of humans. They prey on young land and marine iguanas, hatchlings of tortoises, sea turtles as well as insects like locusts and centipedes.

Galapagos Hawk

Don’t be mistaken by its size, the Galapagos hawk is the only predator in the Islands and the top animal of the food chain in the Enchanted Isles. This endemic bird is present in most of the Islands in the Galapagos and are generally unafraid of humans. They prey on young land and marine iguanas, hatchlings of tortoises, sea turtles as well as insects like locusts and centipedes.

Land Iguana

These are the most distributed of the three species of iguanas in the Galapagos Islands. Land iguanas have an important role as the endemic resident herbivores of the Archipelago. Their nesting periods differ from island to island. Rare hybrids of land and marine iguanas have been spotted in South Plaza Island and both species can be seen there, side by side.

Land Iguana

These are the most distributed of the three species of iguanas in the Galapagos Islands. Land iguanas have an important role as the endemic resident herbivores of the Archipelago. Their nesting periods differ from island to island. Rare hybrids of land and marine iguanas have been spotted in South Plaza Island and both species can be seen there, side by side.

Marine Iguana

One of the most amazing of the endemic Galapagos species! Marine iguanas were referred as “imps of darkness” by Charles Darwin but their marine adaptations show a unique case of evolutionary biology. Marine iguanas can be found only in the Galapagos Islands. There are three species of marine iguanas and can be seen in Fernandina, Northern Isabela, Floreana and Española Island.

Marine Iguana

One of the most amazing of the endemic Galapagos species! Marine iguanas were referred as “imps of darkness” by Charles Darwin but their marine adaptations show a unique case of evolutionary biology. Marine iguanas can be found only in the Galapagos Islands. There are three species of marine iguanas and can be seen in Fernandina, Northern Isabela, Floreana and Española Island.

Santa Fe Iguana

As its name says, this iguana is only found in Santa Fe Island, a small island only 9.3 square miles (24 square kilometers) located off the eastern coast of Santa Cruz Island. Santa Fe iguanas have perfectly adapted to blend in with the colors of their surroundings, which may make it more difficult to observe than other types of land iguanas. Their plant base diet is mostly made of the island’s prickly-pear cactus.

Santa Fe Iguana

As its name says, this iguana is only found in Santa Fe Island, a small island only 9.3 square miles (24 square kilometers) located off the eastern coast of Santa Cruz Island. Santa Fe iguanas have perfectly adapted to blend in with the colors of their surroundings, which may make it more difficult to observe than other types of land iguanas. Their plant base diet is mostly made of the island’s prickly-pear cactus.

Galapagos Penguin

The only penguins that live along the equator are Galapagos penguins. They're also the second smallest species of penguins in the world. Though they have no set breeding season, they can only lay eggs up to three times in a year and when food is abundant, they can raise two chicks in three months. Galapagos penguins have adapted to survive in the nutrient-rich waters of the Galapagos archipelago.

Galapagos Penguin

The only penguins that live along the equator are Galapagos penguins. They're also the second smallest species of penguins in the world. Though they have no set breeding season, they can only lay eggs up to three times in a year and when food is abundant, they can raise two chicks in three months. Galapagos penguins have adapted to survive in the nutrient-rich waters of the Galapagos archipelago.

Galapagos Sea Lion

This is the smallest of the sea lion species. The Galapagos sea lion is exposed to warmer temperatures and less food than other species found in colder-climates. These animals can be found all around the Galapagos Islands and they are also endemic to the archipelago. Visitors are likely to see sea lion pups at any time of the year thanks to its sporadic breeding season.

Galapagos Sea Lion

This is the smallest of the sea lion species. The Galapagos sea lion is exposed to warmer temperatures and less food than other species found in colder-climates. These animals can be found all around the Galapagos Islands and they are also endemic to the archipelago. Visitors are likely to see sea lion pups at any time of the year thanks to its sporadic breeding season.

Galapagos Fur Seal

The Galapagos fur seal is often found on Fernandina and the western side of Isabela, though solitary males can be seen around the archipelago. Galapagos fur seals are the smallest of the seals, but excellent predators. They hunt at night as most fish and squid tend to rise from the depths. From September to December males defend their territories for weeks or even a month, living off their fat reserves.

Galapagos Fur Seal

The Galapagos fur seal is often found on Fernandina and the western side of Isabela, though solitary males can be seen around the archipelago. Galapagos fur seals are the smallest of the seals, but excellent predators. They hunt at night as most fish and squid tend to rise from the depths. From September to December males defend their territories for weeks or even a month, living off their fat reserves.

Galapagos Giant Tortoise

This is the largest living tortoise species in the world. Because of their unique size, early Spanish explorers used the word “Galapago” when referring to these gentle and giant creatures. Perhaps, this was because of the shape of their shells, which resembles a saddle? Galapagos giant tortoises are endemic to the islands of the Galapagos and often live beyond 100 years.

Galapagos Giant Tortoise

This is the largest living tortoise species in the world. Because of their unique size, early Spanish explorers used the word “Galapago” when referring to these gentle and giant creatures. Perhaps, this was because of the shape of their shells, which resembles a saddle? Galapagos giant tortoises are endemic to the islands of the Galapagos and often live beyond 100 years.