Galapagos Sea Lion

Photo: Robert Levy · CC BY-NC

Galapagos sea lions are permanent residents at Vicente Roca, using the site's rocky outcroppings to haul out and the surrounding waters to hunt small fish. Juveniles in particular are intensely playful with divers, blowing bubbles, somersaulting, and tugging at fins before darting away. Their agility underwater is humbling — they can accelerate from stationary to full speed in a fraction of a second and perform barrel rolls with effortless grace.