Waved albatross

Phoebastria irrorata

On landCritically endangered

The waved albatross is the largest bird in the Galápagos, standing nearly 1 meter tall with a wingspan of 2 to 2.5 meters. Almost the entire world population breeds on Española Island, returning each year for an elaborate courtship dance. It is critically endangered, mainly from bycatch in longline fishing.

Best time to see it

AprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The adult population returns to Española to nest roughly April through December, then disperses to the Ecuador-Peru coast and is absent the rest of the year.

Where to see it

Punta Suárez
Española · Common sighting

Cruises to see this species

"A" itineraryVisits 4 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
8-day expedition · Galápagos
Itinerary AVisits 4 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
5-day expedition · Galápagos
Itinerary C5D/J: Central & Southern Galápagos ExpeditionVisits 4 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
5-day expedition · Galápagos
"D" itineraryVisits 3 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
4-day expedition · Galápagos
"E" itineraryVisits 3 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
6-day expedition · Galápagos
8 days (A)Visits 3 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
8-day expedition · Galápagos
Itinerary 4CM/V: Española & Floreana ExpeditionVisits 3 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
4-day expedition · Galápagos
Itinerary B 5d/4n Southern Islands.Visits 3 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
5-day expedition · Galápagos
5 days (A)Visits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
5-day expedition · Galápagos
Itinenary BVisits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
5-day expedition · Galápagos
Itinerary 4CVisits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
4-day expedition · Galápagos
Itinerary AVisits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
4-day expedition · Galápagos
Itinerary AVisits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
5-day expedition · Galápagos
Itinerary A (4 days)Visits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
4-day expedition · Galápagos
Itinerary BVisits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
5-day expedition · Galápagos
Itinerary CVisits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
6-day expedition · Galápagos
Itinerary CVisits 2 Signature sites — see how we score visitor sites
5-day expedition · Galápagos
B SOUTHVisits 1 Signature site — see how we score visitor sites
8-day expedition · Galápagos
B5 SOUTHVisits 1 Signature site — see how we score visitor sites
5-day expedition · Galápagos