People from all over the world come to the Galapagos Islands to witness the unique wildlife. While up-close interactions with marine mammals are not as every day as those with birds and reptiles, they might easily rank among tourists’ most gratifying wildlife experiences.
Galapagos Marine Mammals Rank Among the Most Fascinating Creatures
The Galapagos Islands are about 600 miles west of Ecuador and comprise the archipelago. The Galapagos Islands’ entire animal population arrived from somewhere else hundreds of years ago. Smaller creatures drifted in on logs or other debris, and the most common ways for Galapagos bird species to end up on the islands were by flying out to sea or getting blown off course. Galapagos marine animals are not suited for these lengthy expeditions because they need a lot of fresh water and cannot withstand prolonged sun exposure. It is hardly unexpected that the Galapagos Islands are home to few mammals.
The only Galapagos marine mammals found in the islands are sea lions, fur seals, whales, and dolphins. Certain animal species are unique to the archipelago. They cannot be found anywhere else, while others are indigenous to the islands and can also be found in other regions of the world. Only fur seals and sea lions are native to the Galapagos Islands, and they are two of the main attractions on the island.
Travelers can encounter the few species of marine mammals found in the archipelago in a manner not possible elsewhere, even though there aren’t many of them. Most species gradually lost their innate fear of humans because of the seclusion in which they evolved and the absence of mammal land predators (carnivores) on the islands. As a result, animals appear to be utterly unaware of human presence. Here, animals don’t bother to hide from one another or avoid human contact.
Galapagos Sea Lions
Luckily for tourists, unlike some other rare species, Galapagos sea lions are not confined to a single island. Their population is estimated to be in the tens of thousands, and they are dispersed around the archipelago, living on both populated and uninhabited islands. They are a favorite among photographers and tourists of all ages because of their gregarious and curious disposition. They enjoy lazing around on park benches by the water, docks, and shorelines. Snorkeling with energetic Galapagos sea lions—especially the pups—must be on everyone’s top ten bucket list.
Galapagos National Park regulations prohibit tourists from approaching the animals too closely to preserve the species. The wildlife is exempt from this regulation; sea lions approach tourists out of sheer curiosity, and close interactions with these curious creatures are everyday.
Galapagos Fur Seals
Galapagos fur seals are more difficult to spot than sea lions. It is not the low population numbers that are at blame, but rather distinct behavioral tendencies. Indeed, fur seals were nearly exterminated for their pelts, but their population has rebounded reasonably well. Fur seals typically eat at night, in contrast to sea lions, who feed at different times of the day. Because they can’t withstand heat as well as sea lions, they also like rocky, untamed shorelines with less visitor accessibility. As a result, they frequently seek cover in shady spots where they could be more obvious.
It makes sense that many people are unsure how to distinguish between fur seals and sea lions. Actually, the knowledgeable naturalist guides that go on more upscale cruise ships, like the Yacht La Pinta, Yacht Isabela II, or the Santa Cruz II, are qualified to respond to inquiries like these. When choosing a Galapagos cruise for an island hopping holiday, tourists frequently do so because they want an expert guide to identify and explain the fauna they see.
Here’s a challenge for you: the two kinds of sea lions in the Galapagos are depicted in this picture. Do you think they differ in any way? Is it possible to distinguish between the Galapagos fur seal and the sea lion in this picture?
Whales
Because so many distinct species swim about or migrate through the waters of the Galapagos, several whale species can be seen year-round. In the waters surrounding the archipelago, whales have been observed to include sperm, blue, Bryde’s, and minke whales. Some of the most accessible whales to spot are humpback whales because they frequently breach and return to the water with a tremendous splash. The two whale species that visit the Galapagos Islands are the toothed (Odontoceti) and baleen (Mysticeti) whales.
Dolphins
Dolphin pods, with up to several hundred individuals, are a regular sight on the islands. Visitors can anticipate seeing two different species of dolphins: the Bottle-nosed dolphin and the Common White-bellied dolphin. These creatures prefer to run beside bigger ships, and because of their gregarious disposition, they frequently approach kayaks and Panga boats from the water. Though not widely known, orcas and pilot whales are, in fact, a subspecies of dolphins. Orcas, particularly, are expected throughout the archipelago despite their unpredictable behavior when sighted.
Bottle-Nose Dolphins and Pilot Whales off the Western Region of the Galapagos
Tips for Viewing Galapagos Marine Mammals
Although any month of the year is considered an excellent time to visit the archipelago, travelers who want to increase their chances of seeing Galapagos marine mammals should consider going between June and November. It is a terrific time of year to see whales. This chilly season is the only time that migratory animals, including humpback whales, are here. Although sea lions are year-round residents, sea lion pups are only born in August, and by November, their entire nurseries will have mastered swimming. September and October mark the beginning of the sea lion and fur seal mating season, during which males can occasionally be seen fighting for the females along the shore.
Tour routes that focus on the western part of the Galapagos islands, close to Isabela and Fernandina, are great options for those looking to see whales and dolphins. A Galapagos ship itinerary that visits the Santiago, Isabela, or Genovesa Islands is the best option to see fur seals, which are harder to see than sea lions.
Would you like to read more tips for a great journey in Galapagos?
Read our 3 Main Tips to Choose the Best Galapagos Expedition Tour
