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Wildlife bingoWhereTours Updated Nov 6, 2026

Where to see flightless cormorants in the Galápagos

The only cormorant in the world that cannot fly lives on Fernandina and the north and west coasts of Isabela.

  • luckyodds of seeing one
  • Apr–Octbest months
  • 3places to see it
  • VulnerableIUCN status
Flightless cormorant drying its wings
Photo: Lip Kee, CC BY-SA 2.0

Short answer: Flightless cormorants live only on Fernandina and the north and west coasts of Isabela, so the reliable way to see one is a cruise that stops at Elizabeth Bay, Urbina Bay or Punta Espinoza. From Puerto Villamil there is a single Playa Cormorán boat tour. April to October, the breeding season, is the best time.

The flightless cormorant is endemic to the Galápagos and listed as Vulnerable. It was moved down from Endangered in 2011, when about 1,679 birds were counted.

When to see flightless cormorants

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Best months: Apr–Oct. Odds of seeing one: lucky.

  • Apr–OctFlightless cormorant breeding season

Where to see flightless cormorants

Cruise

Elizabeth Bay and Urbina Bay coast

Isabela (west) · Isabela island guide

Cruise

Punta Espinoza

Fernandina

Land-based

Playa Cormorán tour

Land-based boat tour from Puerto Villamil, marketed as the only one.

Isabela · Isabela island guide

EQUATOR · 0° Volcán Wolf≈ 1,670 mVolcán Wolf: highest point about 1,670 m in the GMRT elevation gridCerro Azul≈ 1,650 mCerro Azul: highest point about 1,650 m in the GMRT elevation gridSierra Negra≈ 1,110 mSierra Negra: highest point about 1,110 m in the GMRT elevation gridAlcedo≈ 1,130 mAlcedo: highest point about 1,130 m in the GMRT elevation gridVolcán Darwin≈ 1,370 mVolcán Darwin: highest point about 1,370 m in the GMRT elevation gridLa Cumbre≈ 1,440 mLa Cumbre (Fernandina): highest point about 1,440 m in the GMRT elevation gridSanta Cruz highlands≈ 820 mSanta Cruz highlands: highest point about 820 m in the GMRT elevation gridSan Cristóbal highlands≈ 680 mSan Cristóbal highlands: highest point about 680 m in the GMRT elevation gridSantiago≈ 890 mSantiago: highest point about 890 m in the GMRT elevation gridPinta≈ 610 mPinta: highest point about 610 m in the GMRT elevation grid ISABELAFERNANDINASANTIAGOSANTA CRUZSAN CRISTÓBALFLOREANAESPAÑOLAPINTAMARCHENAGENOVESASANTA FEPINZÓNBALTRA North SeymourBartoloméSanta FeSouth PlazaPinzónKicker RockLos TúnelesTintorerasTortuga BaySierra NegraPunta SuárezEl ChatoLas GrietasDarwin Station Puerto AyoraPuerto Baquerizo MorenoPuerto VillamilPuerto Velasco Ibarra ✈GPSBaltra (GPS)✈SCYSan Cristóbal (SCY)✈IBBIsabela (IBB) Giant tortoisesPenguinsPenguinsBlue-footed boobiesFlamingosFlamingosSea lions in townMarine iguanasFlightless cormorantsWaved albatross (Apr–Dec)Red-footed boobiesTurtles & sharks (snorkel)White-tip sharks ↖ Darwin & Wolf: dive boats only 050 km N
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · tiles OpenFreeMap · depth GMRT · photos Wikimedia Commons, credited in each cardNot for navigation.

See Flightless cormorants on the 3D map →

Which tour goes there

These trips get you to Isabela. The cormorants live on its north and west coasts, and from Puerto Villamil only the Playa Cormorán tour goes looking for them; ask for it in town, or pick a cruise to western Isabela and Fernandina.

All Galápagos tours →

Prices and ratings as listed in November 2026; the price at checkout is what counts. Many multi-day packages start in Quito, so check what is included. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Disclosure

Every tour on all islands, filtered by animal: day-tour finder.

Did you know?

  • Fun factIts wings are about a third of the size a bird of its build would need to fly.
  • Size89 to 100 cm long and 2.5 to 5 kg; males are about 35% heavier than females.
  • Scientific nameNannopterum harrisi, found only in the Galápagos

On every visit: keep 2 metres from wildlife, cameras included, and visit park sites with a certified naturalist guide. The full list: visitor rules.

Questions people ask

Where can you see flightless cormorants?

On the coast at Elizabeth Bay and Urbina Bay on western Isabela, and at Punta Espinoza on Fernandina. All are cruise stops; from Puerto Villamil, a Playa Cormorán boat tour is the one land-based option.

Can you see flightless cormorants on a land-based trip?

Only with luck. The towns are far from their coasts. The one land-based option is the Playa Cormorán tour from Puerto Villamil; otherwise you need a cruise to western Isabela and Fernandina.

Why can't the flightless cormorant fly?

Its wings are only about a third of the size a bird of its build would need to fly.

Also on the card

Print the wildlife bingo card · Best month for your trip · Plan your days

Sources:Galápagos National Park and Governing Council, Galápagos Conservancy. More numbers:facts and figures.

Updated 2026-11-06. Fees, boat times and prices change, so confirm with the operator before you travel.