An endemic sea lion whose juveniles routinely approach and follow divers.
Endemic, abundant, and the animal most likely to interact with a diver anywhere in the archipelago. Juveniles in particular approach, circle and mouth equipment, and will follow a group for a whole dive.
Adult males hold territory and behave differently. A territorial bull will posture, vocalise underwater and charge; the display is generally a warning rather than an attack, but the sensible response is to leave the area rather than to hold position. Territories are held on and immediately around specific haul-out beaches, so they are avoidable.
Distinguished from the Galapagos fur seal by its longer snout, smaller ears and habit of being active in daylight. The fur seal is smaller, has a blunter face and much larger eyes, and stays in shade.
Ratings are per location: 1 means found on most dives that look for it, 5 means a handful of records. Where enough dives have been logged the figure is calculated from them; otherwise it is an editorial estimate, and says so. We publish habitat and destination, not the dive site.