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The best-known attractions of the islands are the tame seabirds such as boobies and frigatebirds, the marine iguanas, the huge tortoises, and the sea lions and penguins. But of all the wildlife attractions, the last two are by far the most fun and most beautiful. Specifically, one should make sure to include snorkeling with the sea lions and penguins in the transparent, tropical waters of the islands.
Only 2 of the 18 main islands have good populations of the penguins, while San Cristóbal Island has the largest population of the sea lions, which also can be found in some numbers on all the main islands.
The most efficient and lowest-carbon way to enjoy the best of the Galápagos is to stay in one of the many good hotels that now exist on three of the islands and take fast boats during the day to visit the best locations on your island and on other islands. By staying on land, you avoid seasick nights trying to sleep in a cramped cabin while the ship bobs in sea swells. You probably will not find SouthWild’s simple but important recommendations anywhere else regarding the islands’s two best wildlife attractions and about staying in charming, comfortable, land-based lodging. SouthWild was given these recommendations by our quadrilingual, former top executive in Ecuador, who has lived and worked in tourism on the Galapagos for decades. Since 2019, she has been the top official in the Galapagos of the Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism. 
