www.audleytravel.com/galapagos ?01993 838 635 ?Wildlife11MammalsDespite inevitably having seen pictures of theGalapagos before visiting, we are sure that youwill not be prepared for the sheer number ofsea lions on most beaches. There is actually onlyone species of sea lion present in the Galapagos,although there is a small population of fur sealsthat can be seen in the western islands.Galapagos sea lionGalapagos sea lions - an exclusive species to the archipelago but related to the Californianspecies -can be seen throughout the islands,parading in large colonies on the rocks andcoastlines of all the islands. The beaches arepatrolled by the males, who protect femalegroups of 30 and more. The long mating seasonis between May and January with most pupsarriving around August, making this a time ofheavy guarding and responsibility for all themales. Sea lions, especially the females, will duckand dive playfully with you while you swim and snorkel. They are seen in greatest numberson Plazas, Santa Fé, Rábida, Santiago, Española, San Cristóbal and Isabela islands.Fur sealFur seals are distinguishable from sea lions bytheir ears as well as their larger, rounded, moisteyes and pointed noses. Virtually hunted toextinction by whalers, many survived by hidingunder rocks and sheltered areas such as lavacracks on Santiago, Isabela and Fernandinaislands, which is where they are seen today.Marine lifeThere are an estimated 400 different species of fish roaming the waters of the Galapagos, of which 17 percent are endemic to the islands.Included in this are over 12 species of sharksincluding tiger, black-tip, whale, grey reef andtwo species of hammerheads. In addition, thereare five species of rays (stingray, golden ray,marbled ray, spotted eagle ray and manta ray)and 18 types of moray. The warmer westerncurrents from the Pacific bring with them aplethora of tropical marine life, making forspectacular snorkelling with species such as angel fish, trumpet fish, surgeon fish, grouperand Pacific green turtle. Add to this thepenguins, sea lions and marine iguanas and youare left with the most unique underwaterenvironment on the planet.Representing the marine mammals, bottle-nosedand common dolphins also frequent the ocean,while whale species (usually seen between June and September) include brydes, pilot,minke, blue, orcas and Cuvier's whales. Cappingit all off, there are numerous starfish, urchins and crustaceans, as well as sea cucumbers,bobbing around.Marine iguanaFemale lava lizardMoorish idolsPacific green turtle

Small boatsSailing on a small boat has a romantic image, and there are more small boats operating in theislands than any other sized vessels, catering forthe widest range of budgets and preferred cruisedurations. With only 13 to 26 passengers onboard, you can enjoy a more personal relationshipwith the other guests and crew. Stability can be a concern for those affected by seasickness,although some of these vessels are fitted with stabilisers to dampen any movement. As the number of small boat options is quiteconsiderable, we have broken them down intosail boats, motor boats and catamarans.Sail boatsCruising around the Galapagos on a sail boat has a unique and unrivalled charm. They are fullof character and have a good amount of deckspace with al fresco dining common. Cabins arecompact but extremely comfortable and usuallyoffer a lower double and upper single bertharrangement, and a small porthole window. You should be aware though that these boatspredominantly operate under motor, with thesails perhaps being raised for an afternoon ifconditions allow.Motor boatsIf the idea of a small boat appeals but the slightlyrestricted cabin space of a sail boat does not,then one of the motor boat options may be ofinterest. With twin or double bed cabins asstandard and larger picture windows common,they offer more cabin space and comfort than the sail boat options. Motorboats also have ampledeck space for relaxing between visitor sites but, if there is a negative, they do lack some of the charm of the sail boat options.CatamaransA relatively new breed of vessel in the Galapagos,catamarans offer even more cabin space than themotor boats and more deck space then the sailboats. Internally they have a more modern décorthan the other small vessels. The theory that theyprovide additional stability is a bit of a myth, inreality catamarans just move differently in thewater. However, the space is plentiful, withcommon features being large sun decks, anoutdoor Jacuzzi, al fresco dining, twin and doublebed cabins, picture windows and, in some cases,private balconies. These advantages do makethese vessels some of the most expensive in the small boat category.Medium-sized boatsMedium-sized vessels are one of the mostpopular options for Audley clients in theGalapagos as they offer spacious, well-finishedcabins, large amounts of deck space and goodstability, while retaining some of the intimateatmosphere of a smaller vessel. Carrying up to 48 passengers and four naturalist guides, these boats' guide to passenger ratio regularlyexceeds the Galapagos National Park minimumrequirements of one to every 16 guests. Due totheir popularity and comfort levels, the mediumsized vessels can be the most expensive in whichto cruise around the archipelago.12SagittaLettyAthala IIGalapagos cruisesCruising around the Galapagos on an expedition vessel is the most popular way to see the archipelago and its wildlife. Sailing overnight between the islands and venturingashore to view the wildlife, snorkel or relax on the beach during the day, before coming backaboard for a leisurely sunset drink on deck, has all the exhilaration you would expect from atrip to these iconic islands. There are a host of boats available and our specialists can adviseyou on the best one for you depending on your preferences, budget and timescale.Sun deck on the Odyssey