Short answer: Go to Punta Suárez on Española between about April and December: it is the one place to see them, and the albatross are away at sea for the rest of the year. Punta Suárez is on cruise itineraries, and day trips to Española run from San Cristóbal. Adults return in late March and April, dance and lay eggs from April to June, and the first chicks fledge in December.
Waved albatross are listed as Critically Endangered. 99.9% of them nest on Española, with a tiny group on Isla de la Plata off Ecuador. They forage off Peru and Ecuador, and bycatch outside the marine reserve is the main threat.
When to see waved albatross
Best months: Apr–Dec. Odds of seeing one: lucky.
- Mar–AprWaved albatross return to Española
- Apr–JunWaved albatross courtship dance and egg laying
- Dec–JanWaved albatross chicks fledge, colony empties
Where to see waved albatross
Punta Suárez
Cruise itineraries.
Española
See Waved albatross (Apr–Dec) on the 3D map →
Which tour goes there
This day trip from San Cristóbal goes to Española; ask the operator whether it lands at Punta Suárez, where the colony is.
Española Island Day Trip with Snorkeling
Prices and ratings as listed in November 2026; the price at checkout is what counts. 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 factA pair's courtship dance can last five days, with bill circling, clacking and beak-fencing.
- Size80 to 90 cm long, with a wingspan of 220 to 250 cm.
- Scientific namePhoebastria irrorata
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 waved albatross?
Only at Punta Suárez on Española, where 99.9% of the world's waved albatross nest. It is a cruise stop, and day trips to Española run from San Cristóbal.
When are the albatross on Española?
From about April to December. Adults return in late March and April, courtship and egg laying run from April to June, the first chicks fledge in December and the colony is empty by January.
How big is a waved albatross?
80 to 90 cm long, with a wingspan of 220 to 250 cm.
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, Charles Darwin Foundation, Galápagos Conservation Trust. More numbers:facts and figures.
Updated 2026-11-06. Fees, boat times and prices change, so confirm with the operator before you travel.