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A Galápagos sea lion on a sandy beach below volcanic cliffs
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

Island · Ecuador

Galápagos Animal Checklist

The Galápagos Islands, about 1,000 km off mainland Ecuador, are famous for animals found nowhere else and so unafraid of people that you walk among them: giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies and sea lions. This checklist covers 55 animals, including the Galápagos Big 15. Wildlife is good all year; June to November brings richer seas, December to May calmer, warmer water.

Visitor sites are only open with a park-certified naturalist guide, on a cruise or on day trips from Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal and Isabela. Which islands you visit matters more than when, because several species live on only one or two islands.

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The Galápagos checklist in the Wilder app, started as a trip with the first animals ticked
Animals to find
55
Where
Ecuador
Best time
All year
Galápagos Big 15
All on the list

Highlights of the Galápagos Big 15

  • Galápagos Tortoise, one of the animals to look for in Galápagos

    Galápagos Tortoise

    The islands are named after them. See wild tortoises grazing in the Santa Cruz highlands at El Chato and Rancho Primicias.

    Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0

  • Marine Iguana, one of the animals to look for in Galápagos

    Marine Iguana

    The only lizard in the world that feeds in the sea. They pile up to warm on black lava shores after swimming, and males turn red and green on Española in the breeding season.

    Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

  • Galápagos Land Iguana, one of the animals to look for in Galápagos

    Galápagos Land Iguana

    Big, yellow and slow, feeding on fallen cactus pads. North Seymour and Plaza Sur are the easiest sites.

    Photo: E bailey, CC0

  • Galápagos Sea Lion

    On almost every beach and harbour jetty. Young ones often swim up to snorkellers and blow bubbles.

  • Blue-footed Booby

    Famous for its courtship dance, lifting bright blue feet in turn. North Seymour and Punta Suárez on Española are classic sites.

  • Waved Albatross

    Nests only on Española, from about April to December. Pairs fence and clatter their bills in courtship.

  • Penguin (Galápagos)

    The only penguin that lives on the equator. Look along the rocky shores of western Isabela and Fernandina, or at Bartolomé on a snorkel.

  • Flightless Cormorant

    Found only on the coasts of western Isabela and Fernandina, where it dries its stubby wings on the rocks.

  • Magnificent Frigatebird

    Males inflate huge red throat pouches to attract females. North Seymour and Genovesa have the biggest displays.

  • Red-footed Booby

    Nests in trees and bushes, unlike the other boobies. Genovesa holds a very large colony.

  • Scalloped Hammerhead

    Scalloped hammerheads school at Gordon Rocks and Kicker Rock, and in huge numbers at Darwin and Wolf for experienced divers.

  • American Flamingo

    A small population feeds in brackish lagoons on Floreana, Isabela and Rábida.

All 55 animals to spot in the Galápagos

Grouped the way you'll meet them. Tips show where to look.

Reptiles 6

Mammals 6

Seabirds 16

Land and shore birds 19

Sea life 8

  • Last reviewed September 2026.
  • Sources are listed below the questions.
  • Wild animals only. Please give them space.

Best time to see wildlife in the Galápagos

There is no bad time to see wildlife in the Galápagos, but the seasons differ. From June to November the cool Humboldt current brings richer, colder seas and misty garúa weather. Seabirds are very active, blue-footed boobies court and nest, humpback whales pass from June to September, and seas can be rougher. From December to May the water is warmer and calmer, the lowlands turn green, skies are sunnier with short showers, and green sea turtles nest on the beaches. Marine iguanas show breeding colours from about December, and waved albatrosses are on Española from April. Snorkelling is most comfortable from January to April. July, August and Christmas are the busiest periods, so book early.

  • Dec-FebWarm seas, marine iguanas in colour, turtles nesting
  • Mar-MayCalmest seas, waved albatross returns to Española
  • Jun-SepHumpback whales, cool rich seas, seabirds nesting
  • Oct-NovSea lion pups, albatross chicks, cooler water

Tips for spotting wildlife in the Galápagos

  1. Choose islands for species

    Waved albatrosses need Española, flightless cormorants need western Isabela or Fernandina, and red-footed boobies need Genovesa. Check a cruise itinerary against the animals you most want to see.

  2. Keep two metres away

    Park rules ask visitors to stay at least 2 metres from wildlife, never touch or feed animals, and stay on marked trails. The animals often come closer on their own; let them.

  3. Pack a wetsuit or shorty

    Much of the best wildlife is underwater: turtles, rays, penguins and playful sea lions. From June to November the water can be cold enough to cut a snorkel short.

  4. Look under the lava

    Galápagos fur seals rest in shady lava grottos at Puerto Egas on Santiago and on Genovesa. Whitetip reef sharks rest in the lava channels at Las Tintoreras and Los Túneles, on Isabela.

  5. Don't skip the finches

    Darwin's finches, such as the medium ground finch and small tree finch, are small and brown, but they are the reason the islands matter to science. Watch their beak shapes at ground feeding sites and in cactus flowers.

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The Galápagos checklist in the Wilder app, started as a trip with the first animals ticked

Galápagos wildlife FAQ

What are the Galápagos Big 15?

The Big 15 is a tour-industry list rather than an official one, so versions differ slightly. Most include the giant tortoise, marine and land iguanas, sea lion, fur seal, Galápagos penguin, flightless cormorant, waved albatross, blue-footed, Nazca and red-footed boobies, frigatebird, flamingo and Darwin's finches, plus the green sea turtle or hammerhead shark. All are on this checklist.

Which animals are found only in the Galápagos?

Many of the islands' best-known animals are endemic, meaning they live nowhere else. These include the giant tortoises, marine and land iguanas, Galápagos penguin, flightless cormorant, Galápagos sea lion and fur seal, Galápagos hawk, lava gull and Darwin's finches. The waved albatross breeds almost entirely on Española. That is why the islands inspired Darwin's thinking on evolution.

When is the best time to visit the Galápagos for wildlife?

Any time of year is good, because most animals are present all year. December to May offers warmer water, calmer seas and turtle nesting. June to November brings cooler, richer seas, more seabird activity and humpback whales. Waved albatrosses are only on Española from about April to December, so plan around that if they are a priority.

Which island is best for blue-footed boobies?

North Seymour and Española, at Punta Suárez, are the most reliable places to see blue-footed boobies nesting and dancing. They are also common at Punta Pitt on San Cristóbal and along the coasts of Isabela, where they dive for fish. Breeding happens at different times on different islands, so courtship can be seen in most months.

How much is the Galápagos National Park entrance fee?

Non-Ecuadorian adult visitors pay a park entrance fee of 200 US dollars, and children pay 100 dollars, in cash on arrival. You also need a transit control card, bought at the airport in mainland Ecuador before your flight. Check current amounts before you travel, as fees have risen in recent years.

Sources

Last reviewed September 2026

Photo credits

All photo credits. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, resized.

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