Diving with Sea Lions in the Galapagos

The Galapagos sea lion is found only in the Galapagos and, in small numbers, on the nearby coast of Ecuador. Underwater, young sea lions are famously curious: they spin, blow bubbles and swoop close to divers and snorkelers before darting away. Diving with sea lions in the Galapagos is often the encounter people talk about most after their trip, even more than sharks.

Where to Meet Sea Lions Underwater

Sea lions live around all of the main islands, so they turn up on many dives. Some places are especially well known for playful encounters:

• North Seymour, a popular day-trip dive from Santa Cruz.
• Around San Cristóbal, including sites near Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and on trips to Kicker Rock. See our Kicker Rock diving guide.
• Around Floreana and other central islands on day trips and liveaboard itineraries.

Sea lions also rest on beaches, docks and benches in the towns, so you will see plenty of them on land too. Our Galapagos dive travel guide explains which island bases give access to which sites.

How Sea Lions Behave

Young sea lions are the most playful. They often approach divers, mirror their movements and dart off again. Adults are calmer, and adult males, called bulls, can be territorial near their part of the beach. A bull may swim close with a raised head or bark underwater as a warning. If that happens, give him space and move away calmly, following your guide's lead.

Etiquette Around Sea Lions

• Do not touch them, even when they come close. Touching wildlife is not allowed in the Galapagos Marine Reserve.
• Let them come to you. Chasing makes them leave; staying calm keeps them curious.
• Keep away from bulls and from pups resting on rocks.
• Do not feed them or leave anything in the water.

Our article on Galapagos diving rules and park regulations covers the full set of rules.

Diving or Snorkeling with Sea Lions

You do not need to dive to play with sea lions. Many of the best encounters happen in shallow water close to shore, which makes them ideal for snorkelers and non-divers. Our guide to Galapagos snorkeling for non-divers lists good places to try.

Photographing Sea Lions

Sea lions are fast, so use a quick shutter speed and keep the camera ready. Shallow water and good light help. Let the animal approach rather than following it, and shoot at eye level for the most natural pictures. Our guide to Galapagos underwater photography has settings and tips.

What to Wear

Sea lion encounters often happen in shallow water, but the water can still be cool. A 5mm wetsuit is common, with a 7mm suit, hood and gloves in the colder months. See our Galapagos scuba gear guide for details, and our list of Galapagos dive shops for operators that run trips to sea lion sites.

About the Galapagos Sea Lion

The Galapagos sea lion is a separate species from the California sea lion it was once grouped with. It is endemic to the region and is listed as endangered, with numbers that rise and fall with ocean conditions; warm-water El Niño years, when food becomes scarce, have historically hit the population hard. Sea lions spend much of their time resting on beaches and rocks and hunt fish in the surrounding waters. Pups stay with their mothers for many months, which is why you will often see young animals around colonies near the towns.

Best Times for Sea Lion Encounters

Sea lions are present all year. Encounters are often best in shallow, sheltered water where young animals play, and on calm days with good visibility. Your guide will know which sites have been most active recently. Because the same animals use the towns' beaches and docks, you can also watch their behavior on land between dives, which makes the underwater meetings even more fun to understand.

Sea Lions on Land

You will meet sea lions long before your first dive. They sleep on park benches, beaches and boat docks in all three towns, and they are protected there too. Walk around them rather than over them, keep children and cameras back, and never get between a mother and her pup. Watching them on land, where they rest, squabble and nurse their young, is a good way to understand the animals you will later meet underwater.

Related guide: Galapagos dive shops.