Underwater Pictures

Welcome to our Underwater photo gallery, where you’ll find underwater images taken in the majestic coral reefs of the Galapagos Islands. Be on the lookout for colorful starfish, playful sea lions, silent sharks, and colorful schools of tropical fish. Our underwater pictures, which showcase the overwhelming diversity of life in these magical reefs, are available as prints, stock photos, and gifts.

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Galapagos Sea Lion UnderwaterWhile Galápagos sea lions are great swimmers, they prefer to do most of their hunting close to shore, where they won’t face competition from sharks and whales.

This one took a break from its fishing trip to say hello. While males can attack humans if they perceive a threat to their territory, females and pups have no fear, and love to swim right up to photographers -- which makes for extraordinary shots.

Stock Image #20200302-093914

Starfish Holding HandsStarfish may not have brains or hearts, but they seem to like being near each other anyway. A sea star’s nervous system is surprisingly sophisticated, keeping it alert to changes in water temperature, light, and salinity that affect its food sources.

When snorkeling in the Galápagos Islands, don’t be surprised if you come across several colorful sea stars in the course of one trip. If you want to sound awesome when talking about starfish, call them by their family name: asteroids.

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Whitetip Reef Shark In The GalapagosThe whitetip reef shark is a relatively common sight when snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands. Given how much food teems in the Galapagos reefs, these sharks hardly ever go hungry, and thus pose no danger to humans.

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Galapagos Green TurtleThe Galapagos Islands archipelago is famous for its land tortoises, but sea turtles are also a common (and beautiful) sight in its waters.

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Galapagos Islands SnorkelingA school of tropical fish swims through a reef near one of the Galápagos Islands.

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Galapagos Sea Lion UnderwaterA Galápagos sea lion shows off its swimming skills for the camera.

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Guinea Fowl Puffer In The Galapagos IslandsA distinctive guinea fowl puffer fish explores the waters off the Galapagos Islands.

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Yellowtail Surgeonfish In The GalapagosThe yellowtail surgeonfish schools in shallow, rocky reefs. It’s a common find while snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands.

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Galapagos Green Turtle Underwater PhotoThough its species has a reputation for sluggishness, a Galapagos green turtle can swim at 35 miles per hour underwater.

Stock Image #20200225-102027

Whitetip Reef Shark UnderwaterThe whitetip reef shark, abundant in the Galapagos Islands, is one of the only sharks whose mating behavior has been witnessed in the wild.

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Blue Chin Parrotfish In The Galapagos IslandsA blue-chin parrotfish explores the reefs off Rabida Island, scattering smaller fish in its wake.

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Galapagos Islands Tropical FishIn the Galápagos Islands, fish sometimes school so thickly you can’t see anything beyond them. It’s no wonder so many seabirds are able to make a living around here!

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Colorful Fish Close UpUnderwater shot of a vibrantly colored fish, taken in the Galápagos Islands.

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Galapagos Reef FishAn exotic fish, a Galapagos Reef fish, discovered in the shallow reefs of Devil’s Crown, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.

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Black Striped Salema In The Galapagos IslandsA school of black-striped salema in the reefs off Rabida Island in the Galapagos.

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Flag Cabrilla Fish In The GalapagosOff Rabida Island in the Galapagos, a Flag Cabrilla fish blends into the reef.

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Flag Cabrilla And Sea UrchinA Flag Cabrilla, one of the unique fish species found off Rabida Island in the Galapagos, poses with a sea urchin.

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School Of Yellowtail SurgeonfishA school of yellowtail surgeonfish, also known as prionurus punctatus, swims in the waters off Mosquera in the Galapagos Islands.

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Sea Star In The GalapagosJust a spiny red starfish, dreaming starfish dreams. Photo taken underwater in the Galápagos Islands.

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