One thing you are sure to see when traveling to the Galapagos Islands is sea lions. They are ubiquitous, lounging on park benches, resting in the shade under trees, and waddling through the streets. Indeed, they seem to own the joint!
Upon our arrival on San Cristobal from Quito, we were astonished to see so many sea lions just relaxing downtown on the main thoroughfare. They gathered in groups, seemingly indifferent to us as we excitedly snapped photos of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—or, as we discovered during our extensive tour, a several times in a lifetime experience.
Sea Lions Playing in the Galapagos
Sea lions possess the most adorable faces, making you want to rush over and cuddle them.
Don’t Approach a Sea Lion
It’s crucial to adhere to the regulations in the Galapagos by maintaining a distance of at least 3 meters from sea lions.
While capturing that perfect photograph might be tempting, remember that these charming creatures are wild animals. Getting too close can cause them distress, potentially leading them to nip at you.
Swimming With Sea Lions…The Video
Our guide Sambo advised us to dive and spin in the water to encourage the sea lions to engage with us.
While we were instructed not to reach out and touch them, we were welcome to let them investigate us up close.
They playfully nudged our cameras, coming close enough to observe us without making contact.
This was a memorable moment, and instead of getting carried away with words to describe it, we’d prefer to share some underwater footage of our delightful interactions with sea lions in the Galapagos.
It’s worth noting that these animals are skilled hunters with sharp teeth, so it’s wise not to test that theory.
We had the opportunity to engage with sea lions multiple times throughout our stay in the Galapagos Islands. Not only were they lounging on the main street of San Cristobal, but they also relaxed on the beaches and swam in the clear waters.
We even had sea lions following us during our kayaking adventure in San Isabella’s harbor and, most notably, while snorkeling in this pristine paradise.
However, one of the funniest moments came when we were walking around Santa Cruz, right when the fishermen returned to sell their catch.
These sea lions, well-acquainted with the fishermen, made every effort to grab some fish.
It was evident that the fishermen were not adhering to the 3-meter distance rule. Something tells me these adorable sea lions show up daily.
One fisherman graciously shared some fish with them, and honestly, I doubt anyone could resist their charm!
Swimming with Sea Lions
We were also fortunate to swim alongside sea lions.
During one of our snorkeling excursions, a group of them approached us unexpectedly! The joy of having sea lions come over on their terms is hard to describe.
Just minutes after entering the water, some curious sea lions floated over to check out what we were up to.
