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Wildlife bingoWhereTours Updated Nov 6, 2026

Where to see whitetip reef sharks in the Galápagos

Slim grey sharks with white fin tips that spend the day resting in caves and lava channels, often in groups.

  • likelyodds of seeing one
  • All yearbest months
  • 2places to see it
  • VulnerableIUCN status
Whitetip reef shark resting on the bottom
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

Short answer: Take the Tintoreras trip from Puerto Villamil on Isabela, where whitetips rest in a lava channel, or snorkel Kicker Rock on a day boat from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal. They rest in the same caves and channels by day in every month, so both trips usually deliver.

Whitetip reef sharks live across the Indo-Pacific and reach as far east as the Galápagos. They rest by day, hunt at night, and are listed as Vulnerable.

When to see whitetip reef sharks

  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: All year. Odds of seeing one: likely.

Where to see whitetip reef sharks

Day trip

Las Tintoreras channel

Day boat from Puerto Villamil, snorkel/walk.

Isabela · Isabela island guide

Day trip

Kicker Rock (León Dormido)

Day boat snorkel from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

San Cristóbal · San Cristóbal 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 White-tip sharks on the 3D map →

Which tour goes there

All Galápagos tours →

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 factUnlike many sharks, it can pump water over its gills while resting, so it does not have to keep swimming.
  • SizeUp to about 1.6 m, with a reported maximum weight of about 18 kg.
  • Scientific nameTriaenodon obesus

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 whitetip reef sharks in the Galápagos?

At the Tintoreras channel near Puerto Villamil on Isabela and at Kicker Rock off San Cristóbal. Los Túneles snorkel trips from Puerto Villamil also go where they rest.

Why do whitetip reef sharks lie still on the bottom?

Unlike many sharks, a whitetip can pump water over its gills while resting, so it does not have to keep swimming. By day it rests in caves and channels; it hunts at night.

How big are whitetip reef sharks?

Up to about 1.6 m, with a reported maximum weight of about 18 kg.

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.