Skip to content 
On the Santa Cruz II Galapagos cruise, we landed on Bartolome Island on a gorgeous afternoon, eager to observe the dolphins in Galapagos. This day’s sky was clear, so as soon as we arrived at Bartolome, we set out to find the highly sought-after Galapagos penguin, a well-known resident of the archipelago and a significant member of our BIG15 group of iconic species that just so happens to live right here on this stunning island. Once we reached the coast, we could readily identify this rare type of small penguin—the only one living north of the equator—peculiar to the area.
Dolphins in Galapagos at sight
Everyone was ecstatic to witness this fantastic animal. However, the archipelago had yet to conclude its performance that day, as we received an abrupt radio transmission from the Santa Cruz II informing us of multiple dolphin sightings! Our Naturalist Guide quickly reached for his binoculars to check and confirm what he could see beyond the horizon.
Indeed, dolphins could be seen swimming around.
This forced us to abruptly halt our initially scheduled panga ride (coastal exploration) and quickly reverse the course of our dinghy, and in a matter of minutes, we were standing next to this fantastic display. We must have spent over thirty minutes watching these strange animals leap out of the water and swim right up to us. Dolphins in the Galapagos Islands never cease to amaze us!
Events such as these are not always predictable in the Galapagos. Even if we can’t always anticipate them, we know how to make the most of last-minute circumstances to ensure that our guests have a great time on the Santa Cruz II!
In many respects, nature is a stunning and erratic canvas constantly painted with the various hues of existence, whether by playful dolphins or contentedly strolling tiny penguins. What’s the best thing, then? This genuinely unique and magical event can only be had in the Galapagos Islands. They perform it in front of us fearlessly, as if we have been their friends for generations. This dynamic and living archipelago never stops creating life-changing experiences for our guests and staff.
We saw dolphins in the Galapagos today. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? We might see enormous rays, humpback whales, or killer whales. Ultimately, all we can do is let nature take its course, and the enchanting islands charm us.
In case you were wondering, this entire experience took place on our Northern Galapagos Islands trip. Alternatively, if you’re ready to go, contact a Galapagos expert!
