Discover the 34 Shark Species Found in the Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands are a world-renowned marine sanctuary, home to one of the most diverse and unique underwater ecosystems on Earth. These islands boast a rich marine biodiversity. Astounding 34 species of sharks have been sighted in the waters of the Galapagos islands. Whether you're a seasoned diver or simply an ocean enthusiast, the Galapagos offers unforgettable encounters with some of the ocean’s most majestic predators. The variety of sharks in this region reflects the incredible balance of marine life that thrives within the islands' protected waters.
The Galapagos is particularly known for its aggregations of scalloped hammerhead sharks, often seen in large schools near Darwin and Wolf Islands. However, the archipelago is also home to both reef and pelagic shark species, making it a top destination for shark lovers from around the globe.
The first 8 mentioned shark species are the most common sharks you may encounter in the islands.
1. Silky Shark (Carcharhinus falciformis)
- Spanish: Tiburón piloto
- French: Requin soyeux
- German: Seidenhai
- First sighted: Müller & Henle, 1839
2. Galapagos Shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis)
- Spanish: Tiburón de Galápagos
- French: Requin des Galápagos
- German: Galapagos-Hai
- First sighted: Snodgrass & Heller, 1905
3. Blacktip Shark (Carcharhinus limbatus)
- Spanish: Tiburón punta negra
- French: Requin bordé
- German: Schwarzspitzenhai
- First sighted: Müller & Henle, 1839
4. Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)
- Spanish: Tiburón tigre
- French: Requin-tigre
- German: Tigerhai
- First sighted: Péron & Lesueur, 1822
5. Galapagos Bullhead Shark (Heterodontus quoyi)
- Spanish: Tiburón gato
- French: Requin dormeur
- German: Galapagos-Stierkopfhai
- First sighted: Fréminville, 1840
6. Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus)
- Spanish: Tiburón ballena
- French: Requin-baleine
- German: Walhai
- First sighted: Smith, 1828
7. Scalloped Hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini)
- Spanish: Tiburón martillo
- French: Requin-marteau halicorne
- German: Bogenstirn-Hammerhai
- First sighted: Griffith & Smith, 1834
8. Whitetip Reef Shark (Triaenodon obesus)
- Spanish: Tintorera
- French: Requin-corail
- German: Weißspitzen-Riffhai
- First sighted: Rüppell, 1837
The following shark species are rare to occasional to encounter in the Galapagos Islands. Some of them are migratory or pelagic or both.
9. Bigeye Thresher Shark (Alopias superciliosus)
- Spanish: Zorro ojón
- French: Renard à gros yeux
- German: Renard à gros yeux
- First sighted: Lowe, 1841
10. Common Thresher Shark (Alopias vulpinus)
- Spanish: Tiburón zorro común
- French: Renard de mer
- German: Gemeiner Fuchshai
- First sighted: Bonnaterre, 1788
11. Smalltooth Thresher Shark (Alopias pelagicus)
- Spanish: Zorro pelágico
- French: Renard pélagique
- German: Pelagischer Fuchshai
- First sighted: Nakamura, 1935
12. Longnose Catshark (Apristurus kampae)
- Spanish: Gato trompudo
- French: Squale-grelot
- German: Trompeter-Katzenhai
- First sighted: Taylor, 1972
13. Panama Ghost Catshark (Apristurus stenseni)
- Spanish: Tiburón pejegato panameño
- French: Requin fantôme
- German: Panama-Katzenhai
- First sighted: Springer, 1979
14. Giddings' Catshark (Bythaelurus giddingsi)
- Spanish: Tiburón gato
- French: Chat-raton
- German: Giddings-Katzenhai
- First sighted: McCosker, Long & Baldwin, 2012
15. Pacific Bramble Shark (Echinorhinus cookei)
- Spanish: Tiburón negro
- French: Squale bouclé du Pacifique
- German: Pazifischer Stachelhai
- First sighted: Pietschmann, 1928
16. Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias)
- Spanish: Tiburón blanco
- French: Grand requin blanc
- German: Weißer Hai
- Not observed as a resident species, but occasionally migrates through the region.
17. Silvertip Shark (Carcharhinus albimarginatus)
- Spanish: Tiburón de puntas blancas
- French: Requin pointe blanche
- German: Silberspitzenhai
- First sighted: Rüppell, 1837
18. Gray Reef Shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos)
- Spanish: Tiburón gris de arrecife
- French: Requin gris
- German: Grauer Riffhai
- First sighted: Bleeker, 1856
19. Bignose Shark (Carcharhinus altimus)
- Spanish: Tiburón baboso
- French: Requin babosse
- German: Großnasenhai
- First sighted: Springer, 1950
20. Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas)
- Spanish: Tiburón toro
- French: Requin-bouledogue
- German: Bullenhai
- First sighted: Müller & Henle, 1839
21. Oceanic Whitetip Shark (Carcharhinus longimanus)
- Spanish: Tiburón oceánico
- French: Requin océanique
- German: Weißspitzen-Hochseehai
- First sighted: Poey, 1861
22. Sandbar Shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus)
- Spanish: Tiburón aleta de cartón
- French: Requin gris
- German: Sandbankhai
- First sighted: Nardo, 1827
23. Bluntnose Sixgill Shark (Hexanchus griseus)
- Spanish: Tiburón de nariz roma
- French: Requin griset
- German: Großnasen-Sechskiemerhai
- First sighted: Bonnaterre, 1788
24. Shortfin Mako (Isurus oxyrinchus)
- Spanish: Marrajo dientuso
- French: Requin-taupe bleu
- German: Kurzflossen-Mako
- First sighted: Rafinesque, 1810
25. Cookiecutter Shark (Isistius brasiliensis)
- Spanish: Tollo cigarro
- French: Squalelet féroce
- German: Zigarrenhai
- First sighted: Quoy & Gaimard, 1824
26. Whitemargin Fin Smoothhound (Mustelus albipinnis)
- Spanish: Tiburón de aleta blanca
- French: Mustelus à nageoires blanches
- German: Weißflossen-Glatthai
- First sighted: Castro-Aguirre et al., 2005
27. Speckled Smoothhound (Mustelus mento)
- Spanish: Tollo fino
- French: Mustelus tacheté
- German: Gefleckter Glatthai
- First sighted: Cope, 1877
28. Whitenose Shark (Nasolamia velox)
- Spanish: Tiburón coyotito
- French: Requin nez-blanc
- German: Weißnasenhai
- First sighted: Gilbert, 1898
29. Cow Shark (Notorynchus cepedianus)
- Spanish: Tiburón vaca
- French: Requin vache
- German: Breitnasen-Sechskiemerhai
- First sighted: Péron, 1807
30. Small-tooth Sand Tiger Shark (Odontaspis ferox)
- Spanish: Solrayo
- French: Requin-taupe chagriné
- German: Kleinzahniger Sandtigerhai
- First sighted: Risso, 1810
31. Blue Shark (Prionace glauca)
- Spanish: Tiburón azul
- French: Requin bleu
- German: Blauhai
- First sighted: Linnaeus, 1758
32. Great Hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran)
- Spanish: Cachona
- French: Grand requin-marteau
- German: Großer Hammerhai
- First sighted: Rüppell, 1837
33. Bonnethead Shark (Sphyrna tiburo)
- Spanish: Cachona
- French: Requin-marteau tiburo
- German: Schaufelnasen-Hammerhai
- First sighted: Linnaeus, 1758
34. Smooth Hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena)
- Spanish: Cachona
- French: Requin-marteau lisse
- German: Glatter Hammerhai
- First sighted: Linnaeus, 1758
With over 34 species of sharks, the Galapagos Islands truly offer a unique opportunity to explore the wonders of the ocean and its top predators. Whether you're gliding alongside a massive whale shark or surrounded by schools of scalloped hammerheads, the Galapagos' vibrant underwater world promises encounters that will leave you in awe. These islands are a critical haven for sharks, contributing to the global efforts in marine conservation and research.
If you're looking for the ultimate diving destination where you can witness an extraordinary variety of shark species in one place, the Galapagos Islands should be at the top of your list!
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