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Galapagos Big15 Iconic Species

The more iconic species you see on the Galapagos Islands, the more rewarding and memorable your experience will be!

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Santa Cruz Western Tour
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Galapagos BIG15

When it comes to wildlife, no place on Earth compares to the Galapagos Islands

Lumbering giant tortoises and curious sea lion pups around found along dramatic volcanic landscapes, allowing you to get a sense of what it was like before humans emerged on the planet. The vast diversity of animal life is what attracts visitors to this remote paradise.

Because of the archipelago’s vastness, deciding where to go and what to observe throughout the islands can be quite a challenge. But many agree that the best time to visit Galapagos for spot wildlife is during the mid-year months, when the weather is pleasant and the wildlife is most active.Upon tailoring our itineraries, and so as to allow our guests to absorb the best balance of Galapagos wildlife, we sought consensus among scholars, our Naturalist Guides, and island connoisseurs to choose the archipelago’s most unique and fascinating wildlife. The list that came from this resulted in our BIG15 group of iconic species in Galapagos.

This concept we created is one of the primary ways explorers can decide on the itinerary of their choice.

These are the most iconic species in the Galapagos

Blue-footed Booby

Nesting along the coast and frequently spotted on just about every island, you’ll be mesmerized by the stunning blues of their feet. The males whistle and the females honk!

Flightless Cormorant

The Galapagos cormorant, a flightless species, is exclusively located on Fernandina and the west coast of Isabela. It's the largest and heaviest cormorant globally, having adapted with solid bones, fur-like feathers, and lacking oil for lubrication.

Waved Albatross

One of the largest birds in the Galapagos that can only be found on Española Island, specifically during the Dry Season, as they are one of the few migratory birds here.

American Flamingo

Galapagos flamingos, potentially an endemic subspecies, breed on islands with brackish lagoons, relying on brine shrimp. Males are larger, juveniles lack pink plumage, and both parents feed a single chick with "crop milk," usually breeding at five years old in July.

Galapagos Fur Seal

Galapagos fur seals, the smallest, have females at around 30kg (66lb) and males at 80kg (177lb). Ancestors from South America adapted to the tropics, modifying feeding and reproductive strategies.

Galapagos Hawk

Galapagos hawks, Earth's largest birds of prey, practice polyandry. Females, larger than males, inhabit most islands except those with human settlements and Genovesa, lacking their key food, the lava lizard.

Galapagos Penguin

This endemic species of penguin can, on specific islands, be found torpedoing around the water or ambling along the rocky coasts. Bonus points if you get to snorkel alongside one!

Galapagos Sea Lion

Genetic research reveals Galapagos sea lions as a distinct species from their ancestor, the California sea lion, being notably smaller. Males weigh up to 200 kg, females average 75 kg, with around 20,000 sea lions on the islands.

Galapagos Giant Tortoise

Massive yet incredibly slow, these spectacular creatures can weigh up to 550 pounds (250 kilograms)! In the Galapagos, you’ll get to see them ambling about the lush and green areas up in the highlands.

Frigatebird (Great and Magnificent)

The so-called “Pirates of the Sea” that are often seen pursuing other birds and attempting to snatch their food away. The red, leathery pouch under the throat of males is striking to see when it’s inflated as part of its courtship display.

Land Iguana

Play an important role as endemic resident herbivores: their largely vegetarian feeding habits are responsible for the dispersal of several plants. The Galapagos land iguana lives on several islands, making it the most widely distributed land iguana of the Galapagos.

Marine Iguana

The marine iguana, an extraordinary Galapagos species, exclusively inhabits all islands in the archipelago. Evolving from terrestrial ancestors, it thermoregulates near the waterline and feeds at low tide, making it unique on Earth.

Nazca Booby

The red-footed booby, initially a masked booby subspecies, is the largest resident booby, feeding on inter-island fish. Major breeding occurs on Genovesa and Española, with foraging birds observed across islands.

Red-Footed Booby

The red-footed booby, with the largest Galapagos population, is rarely seen as it feeds on the archipelago's outskirts. Nesting on islands like Genovesa, it features a blue-pink beak, red feet, and variable plumage.

Santa Fe Land Iguana

The Santa Fe Land Iguana, exclusive to Santa Fe Island, boasts smaller dorsal spines, a paler color, and a tapered snout, blending seamlessly with its surroundings for a somewhat challenging observation compared to other land iguanas.

The big 15 map of iconic species in Galapagos

The Galapagos Islands are supremely isolated and spread out over 17,000 square miles (45,000 square kilometers) of ocean. Due to the archipelago’s vastness, deciding where to go and what to observe in the archipelago can be quite a challenge.

But we’re here to help! Have a gander at our handy map that displays where, exactly, you’ll be able to spot the iconic wildlife of Galapagos that ignites your interest!

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Big15 Galapagos Islands Map

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Questions? Need help deciding? Have a chat with our Destination Experts that have enjoyed our Galapagos itineraries!
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“Melissa has been fantastic! She answers all my questions, gets back to me quickly, and has mapped out a wonderful trip for us. I couldn’t be happier with the service I have received.”

– Mary Kabat

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Galapagos Penguin
Are you a Travel Agent?*
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At Metropolitan Touring we process the information you provide us with in order to respond to the request made by you in relation to the services we provide and the products we supply. You can exercise the rights of access, rectification and updating of inaccurate data or, where appropriate, request the deletion or elimination, limitation or suspension of the processing of your data or oppose the processing of your data. Contact us at [email protected]


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