11 Amazing Creatures You’ll Meet in the Galapagos

Want to get up close and personal with some amazing wildlife?  Then a Galapagos vacation is a must.  Check out some of the amazing creatures you’ll meet on a snorkeling, kayaking, and hiking adventure through the Galapagos Islands.

Up Close with the Wildlife of the Galapagos

1) Giant Tortoises

An icon of the Galapagos Islands, giant tortoises can live to be over 100-years-old.  It’s typical to see them near the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island. | Photo: Justin Bailie

2) Sally Lightfoot Crabs

Sally Lightfoot crabs are abundant on the rocky shores of the Galapagos Islands.  They are easy to spot, but good luck catching one of these quick-moving crabs. | Photo: Justin Bailie

3) Green Sea Turtles

A young woman snorkels alongside a majestic green sea turtle in the Galapagos Islands. | Photo: Justin Bailie

4) Starfish

A snorkeler discovers a bright red starfish as she swims among colorful marine life common in the Galapagos’ crystal clear tropical waters. | Photo: Justin Bailie

5) Sea Lions

A sea lion poses for the camera and seems to have no fear as onlookers get up-close-and-personal. | Photo: Justin Bailie

6) Marine Iguanas

Watch where you step!  The prehistoric-looking marine iguanas may be abundant here, but are only found in the Galapagos. | Photo: Justin Bailie

7) Blue-footed Boobies

Extensively studied by Charles Darwin, the Blue-footed Booby gets its name for being a bit on the clumsy side. | Photo: Corey Robinson

8) Magnificent Frigatebirds

Clusters of Magnificent Frigatebirds are found around the Galapagos Islands. The males spotted here are showing off their red throat pouch, which inflate like balloons during breeding season as they court their female friends. | Photo: Justin Bailie

9) Galapagos Penguins

It’s a special treat if you catch a glimpse of a Galapagos penguin which tend to be found near Fernandina Island and the west coast of Isabela Island and are more rare in other parts of the Galapagos. | Photo: Justin Bailie

10) Flamingos

The Galapagos Islands provide one of the few habitats on Earth that flamingos prefer and can typically be found in the salty lagoons found around Isabela, Santa Cruz, Floreana, Rabida and Santiago Islands. | Photo: Justin Bailie

11) Galapagos Land Iguanas

With between 5,000 and 10,000 Galapagos land iguanas on the islands, they can frequently be seen crossing the road. | Photo: Justin Bailie