Know Before You Go

© 

Galapagos Penguin Facts | Galapagos Wildlife Guide

This flightless bird is one of five endemic seabirds in the islands. Though clumsy on land, they are extremely skilled and swift under water, which becomes apparent when snorkeling with them. This is the best way to appreciate penguins’ agility; it is a lot of fun, but do not even try to keep up, as penguins are amazingly fast under water!

 

Physical Characteristics

  • Up to 20 inches long
  • Weigh only 5.5 pounds
  • Coat is black on the head and back with white markings on the head, belly and underside of the flippers

 

Range and Habitat

Most penguins are associated with the colder regions of the Southern Hemisphere, specifically around Antarctica, but the cool Humboldt Current that flows north from Antarctica along the western coast of South American enables the Galapagos penguin—the most northerly penguin in the world—to live on islands that straddle the equator. Although they normally breed along the western part of Isabela and Fernandina islands, a small colony is often seen on Bartolomé. They occasionally show up on Floreana and James islands as well.

 

Behavior and Communication

Galapagos penguins undergo a molt twice per year and always prior to breeding. They also tend to bond with one partner for life. The pair will preen each other and tap bills, which reinforces their partnership. They use vocalizations and some body movements to communicate emotions and greetings. Different vocalizations and movements help them identify their partners and chicks.

 

Feeding Habits

Their diet consists of mostly of sardines, anchovies and mullet, and foraging usually occurs within a mile or so of the breeding area.

When Galapagos penguins molt, which they do before breeding occurs, they are unable to enter the cold water as often to feed. This, in turn, ensures that there is an ample food supply available during times of breeding. Likewise, penguins suffer from lower amounts of food during El Niño years, when surface area temperatures of the water rise.

 

Breeding and Reproduction

Two eggs are laid 4 days apart, and incubation lasts up to 40 days. The male and female share the duties of incubating the eggs, allowing both adults to forage for food. Females may have as many as three clutches per year. Breeding can occur year-round; two broods a year are possible under good conditions. Colonies are small and not tightly packed with nests.

 

Conservation

Galapagos penguins are threatened by pollution and climate change. Much of the population has died off in past El Niño events, when prey species declines (as waters warm) and breeding becomes more stress-induced and, therefore, less successful. They are also threatened by snakes, hawks, crabs and owls. And at sea they may be killed by sea lions, fur seals and sharks.

See Galapagos Penguins On These Galapagos Cruises
Repeater Layout : vertical-2up
Galapagos Discovery: The Nat Hab Experience 16
New Ship!

Galapagos Discovery: The Nat Hab Experience

Small-group adventures aboard your choice of private yachts, led by our outstanding naturalist guides and photo pros. Snorkel and swim with sea lions, sea turtles and penguins on this incomparable nature odyssey.
Year-Round
$7995 (+air)
16
Photo Departures Available
Make it Custom Make it Private
New Ship!
Galapagos Aboard the Islander II 48
New Trip!

Galapagos Aboard the Islander II

Explore the unique habitats of the Galapagos and encounter its legendary wildlife on an expedition ship adventure through these captivating islands.
8 Days / Year-Round
$8072 (+air)
48
Photo Departures Available
Make it Custom Make it Private
New Trip!
Know Before You Go

Send Me Travel Emails

Get the Inside Scoop on the

World of Nature Travel

Our weekly eNewsletters highlights new adventures, exclusive offers, webinars, nature news, travel ideas, photography tips and more. Sign up today!

Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Send Me Travel Emails
Privacy Policy
Thank you for joining our email list

Look for a special welcome message in your inbox, arriving shortly! Be sure to add naturalhabitat@nathab.com to your email contacts so you don’t miss out on future emails.

Get Weekly Updates

Our weekly eNewsletter highlights new adventures, exclusive offers, webinars, nature news, travel ideas, photography tips and more.

Privacy Policy
We're Proud of the Reputation We’ve Earned
Outside
Voted "World's Best Travel
Company"
by Outside Magazine
Outside
Natural Habitat Adventures Ranked
“Best Outfitter”
NatGeo
Voted Best Winter Trip: Natural Habitat Adventures' Monarch Butterfly Migration, Mexico
VIEW MORE AWARDS

Request Your 2023 Catalog

Discover the World's Best

Nature Travel Experiences

Nathab 2024 Catalog

Together, Natural Habitat Adventures and World Wildlife Fund have teamed up to arrange nearly a hundred nature travel experiences around the planet, while helping to protect the magnificent places we visit and their wild inhabitants.

Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Request Your 2024/2025 Catalog
Continued - Page 2 of 2
To help us customize your catalog request, please tell us more about your travel needs:
Thank you for requesting a catalog
We’ve received your request. If you have any questions about our trips, please feel free to contact an Adventure Specialist today by calling 800-543-8917.

Get Weekly Updatess

Discover the World's Best

Nature Travel Experiences

Our weekly eNewsletter highlights new adventures, exclusive offers, webinars, nature news, travel ideas, photography tips and more. Sign up today!

Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Send Me Travel Emails
Privacy Policy
Thank you for joining our email list!

Look for a special welcome message in your inbox, arriving shortly! Be sure to add naturalhabitat@nathab.com to your email contacts so you don’t miss out on future emails.

Send Us a Message

Send Us a Message

Have a question or comment? Use the form to the right to get in touch with us.

Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Send Us a Message
Thank you for your message

We’ll be in touch soon with a response.

Refer a Friend

Refer a Friend,
Get $250 Off
Earn rewards for referring your friends! We'd like to thank our loyal travelers for spreading the word. Share your friend's address so we can send a catalog, and if your friend takes a trip as a first-time Nat Hab traveler, you'll receive a $250 Nat Hab credit you can use toward a future trip or the purchase of Nat Hab gear. To refer a friend, just complete the form below or call us at 800-543-8917. It's that easy! See rules and fine print here.
Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
Refer a Friend

Earn rewards for referring your friends! We'd like to thank our loyal travelers for spreading the word. Share your friend's address so we can send a catalog, and if your friend takes a trip as a first-time Nat Hab traveler, you'll receive a $250 Nat Hab credit you can use toward a future trip or the purchase of Nat Hab gear. To refer a friend, just complete the form below or call us at 800-543-8917. It's that easy! See rules and fine print here.

Thank you for the referral!

We've received your friend's information.

View Our 2023 Digital Catalog

View Our 2024/2025

Digital Catalog

Help us save paper! We offer a digital version of The World's Greatest Nature Journeys. If you'd prefer a mailed copy, please provide your contact details here. To view our digital catalog, please enter your info in the form to the right.
Natural Habitat Adventures Logo WWF Logo
View Digital Catalog
Happy browsing!

Thanks for requesting access to our digital catalog. Click here to view it now. You’ll also receive it by email momentarily.

Our Trips

Polar Bear Tours

Polar Bear Tours

African Safaris

African Safaris

Galapagos Tours

Galapagos Tours

Alaska Adventures

Alaska Adventures

U.S. National Parks Tours

U.S. National Parks Tours

Canada & the North

Canada & the North

Europe Adventures

Europe Adventures

Mexico & Central America Tours

Mexico & Central America Tours

South America Adventures

South America Adventures

Asia & Pacific Adventures

Asia & Pacific Adventures

Antarctica & Arctic Journeys

Antarctica & Arctic Journeys

Adventure Cruises

Adventure Cruises

Photography Adventures

Photography Adventures

Women's Adventures

Women's Adventures

Family Adventures

Family Adventures

New Adventures

New Adventures

Questions? Call 800-543-8917

Contact Us

Have a question or comment?
Click any of the buttons below to get in touch with us.

Hours
Mountain Time

  • 8 am to 5 pm, Monday - Friday
  • 8 am to 3 pm on Saturday
  • Closed on Sunday
Call 800-543-8917
Questions? Click to Chat
Questions? Click to Chat
/know-before-you-go/galapagos-islands/wildlife-guide/birds/galapagos-penguin/