4 Galapagos Wildlife Encounters That Made Us Smile.

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I read the stories. I gazed at countless selfies framed by animals. But I still wasn’t 100% sure that we’d have that iconic Galapagos wildlife experience on our Adventure Life cruise that visitors have been raving about since Darwin first landed on the western end of  San Cristobal.

So if you find yourself with a little of the “will I really see all of those incredible animals on my Galapagos cruise fear,” well, I’m happy to report that you certainly will have some amazing wildlife encounters. The Galapagos Islands are one of those rare places where humans are truly the minority, making it possible to connect with so many different types of wildlife that the encounters almost become second nature. While we saw more wildlife than we could have possibly ever imagined, these four encounters were our favorite.

Sea Lions

I’ve been a fan of sea lions ever since I saw my first Clyde and Seymour Show at Sea World. However, I could have never imagined way back then that my future self would get the chance to swim with the sea mammal in the Galapagos Islands. In fact, it was a pleasant surprise when the first sea lion darted toward us and proceeded to frolic around us in the clear, coral ladden waters during our first snorkel in the waters off the coast of Isabela. These charismatic creatures love to play and will give you some of your best memories to take home with you.

Fun Fact: Circus seals, you know those talented and lovable animals that clap and catch beach balls, are almost always sea lions.

Where to encounter: Snorkeling

Marine Iguanas

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence may be the “Bad Boys” of Miami Beach (yep, I just dated myself), but in the Galapagos Islands that title goes to the marine iguanas. With its ability to swim and forage in the sea, these ectothermic reptiles are an anomaly among modern lizards. In fact, they are only found on the Galapagos Islands. Darwin, however, wasn’t a fan: “The black Lava rocks on the beach are frequented by large (2–3 ft [60–90 cm]), disgusting clumsy Lizards. They are as black as the porous rocks over which they crawl & seek their prey from the Sea. I call them ‘imps of darkness’. They assuredly well become the land they inhabit” Admittedly, marine iguanas aren’t the most graceful creatures on land. They tend to do a lot of staring and spitting, causing their faces to become ghost white with all of the excess salt they exude from their nostrils. In the water, however, they are as graceful as a swan, using their tail and dorsal fins for propulsion.

Fun Fact:  Male marine iguanas assemble large harems of females during breeding season and guard them aggressively against rivals.

Where to encounter: Fernandina and Isabela

Blue-Footed Boobies

Everyone loves the blue-footed boobies. This lovable creature adorns just about every type of souvenir you can think in the Galapagos Islands. Luckily, though, this clown of the marine birds can be see all around the archipelago and is usually pretty fearless when it comes to wide-eyed travelers.

Fun Fact: The Blue-footed Booby’s webbed feet are blue because of the carotenoid pigments it obtains by eating fresh fish.

Where to encounter: Everywhere

Green Sea Turtles

You’ll likely hear the gurgle of the green sea turtle before you ever see it. These reptiles can stay underwater for up to five hours before they have to surface for air. According to National Graphic, their ancestors, who saw dinosaurs evolve and become extinct, took to the sea to live about 150 million years ago after evolving on land. To see these gentle giants in the comfort of their own space is an exceptional experience and only gets better if you come across one or three while snorkeling or diving.

Fun Fact: The species’ common name actually comes from the greenish color of the turtles’ fat found only in a layer between its inner organs and shell, and not from any green external coloration of the turtle.

Where to encounter: Everywhere

Want more Galapagos Adventure? Check out our other stories:

A Dream Come True: Visiting the Galapagos

Discovering the Galapagos: The Landing

Travel Bites: Coco Loco–A Galapagos Local Find

Pictorial Travel Guide: Galapagos’ Punta Moreno

Walking in the Shadow of Lonesome George

How to Buy a Panama Hat in Ecuador

*Please remember all photos on this website, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted and property of Beers and Beans Travel Website & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you do want to use one of them please contact me first. Thanks!

Disclosure: We were hosted in the Galapagos by Adventure Life; however, our thoughts and opinions are entirely our own.