Completed
Galápagos Shark
Carcharhinus galapagensis
Silhouette: Margot Michaud · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassElasmobranchii
- OrderCarcharhiniformes (Ground Sharks)
- FamilyCarcharhinidae (Requiem Sharks)
- GenusCarcharhinus (Typical Requiem Sharks)
- SpeciesCarcharhinus galapagensis (Galápagos Shark)
In 3 days ~80% in a week >90%
5 Verified sightings at Isla del Coco National Park From 2019 to 2026
111 In all 2 parks
January Best month
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted
About the Galápagos Shark
The Galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis) is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae, found worldwide. It favors clear reef environments around oceanic islands, where it is often the most abundant shark species. A large species that often reaches 3.0 m (9.8 ft), the Galapagos reef shark has a typical fusiform "reef shark" shape and is very difficult to distinguish from the dusky shark (C. obscurus) and the grey reef shark (C. amblyrhynchos). An identifying character of this species is its tall first dorsal fin, which has a slightly rounded tip and originates over the rear tips of the pectoral fins.
The Galapagos shark is an active predator often encountered in large groups. It feeds mainly on bottom-dwelling bony fishes and cephalopods; larger individuals have a much more varied diet, consuming other sharks, marine iguanas, sea lions, and even garbage. As in other requiem sharks, reproduction is viviparous, with females bearing litters of 4–16 pups every 2 to 3 years. The juveniles tend to remain in shallow water to avoid predation by the adults. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed this species as least concern, but it has a slow reproductive rate and there is heavy fishing pressure across its range. Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Galápagos Shark in Isla del Coco National Park
LIVEiNaturalistGlobal Distribution
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isla del Coco National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 2 | Galápagos Islands | 🇪🇨 Ecuador |
Zoos & Centres Where Found
| # | Zoo / Centre | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acuario de Sevilla | 🇪🇸 Spain |
Closest Relatives at Isla del Coco National Park
Before you go
What are the chances of seeing a Galápagos Shark in Isla del Coco National Park?
Likely
About 50% of wildlife watchers report a Galápagos Shark sighting in Isla del Coco National Park on a given day, based on 5 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. Over three days the chance rises to about 80%, and over a week to over 90%, if each day is a fresh chance.
When is the best time to see a Galápagos Shark in Isla del Coco National Park?
January
In that month about 80% of wildlife watchers report a Galápagos Shark in Isla del Coco National Park on a given day, against about 20% in March, June–July and November–December, the lowest months. February, April–May and August–October have too few records to rate.
What time of day is best to see a Galápagos Shark?
Between 10 am and 1 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Galápagos Shark sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Is Isla del Coco National Park the best place to see a Galápagos Shark?
Yes
Of the 2 parks where we can rate Galápagos Shark sightings, Isla del Coco National Park has the highest daily chance: about 50%. Next come Galápagos Islands (Ecuador, about 30%).
Where does the Galápagos Shark sighting chance come from?
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Galápagos Shark is recorded against all the sharks and rays logged in Isla del Coco National Park (5 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
