In the remote waters of the Galápagos Islands, Disneynature’s Sea Lions of the Galápagos follows a team of wildlife cinematographers as they capture the wild, playful, and unpredictable lives of one of the ocean’s most captivating species. The documentary offers an intimate look at the world of Galápagos sea lions—revealing their agility, curiosity, and social bonds in a way never seen before. Through patience, precision, and cutting-edge technology, the filmmakers filmed extraordinary moments both above and below the waves, showcasing the beauty and resilience of life in this volcanic archipelago.
Sea Lions of the Galápagos is now streaming on Disney+.
The Thrill of the Hunt
One of the most exhilarating sequences in the film follows a scad hunt, where sea lions drive fish from the open sea into shallow bays. Cinematographers Alex Vail, Holly Tarplee, and Adrian Cabello spent weeks waiting under the hot Galápagos sun for the precise moment the hunt would begin.
“The biggest challenge was spotting when the sea lions would start rounding up the fish,” says Adrian, who captured the action from a hidden cove with a drone. “Once we saw them, everything happened in five minutes.”
Alex, filming head-on with a RED V-RAPTOR S35 on a Freefly gimbal and CN20 lens, recalls, “Seeing nearly 20 sea lions explode out of the water with a squadron of pelicans and sharks at their tails is not something I’ll forget in a hurry.” Holly coordinated remote cameras to ensure every angle of the frenzy was documented. Up to nine cameras were deployed at once, capturing the high-speed behavior without disturbing the animals. The result is a thrilling, immersive sequence that showcases both the power and coordination of these marine mammals.
Riding the Waves
Filming surfing sea lions required equal parts patience and endurance. Cinematographer Pooja Rathod had a brief window when swell, tide, and light aligned to create ideal waves, all while accounting for the unpredictability of the animals.
“What stood out most was the sheer elegance of the sea lions as they caught the waves,” Pooja recalls. “One moment they would disappear beneath the surface, and the next they would reappear, gliding effortlessly along the crest of a wave. Witnessing that behavior up close was unforgettable.”
Carrying a RED V-RAPTOR and Canon 50–1000mm setup across jagged lava rocks, Pooja captured wide action and tight close-ups, slowing the footage to highlight every leap and glide in cinematic detail. “It was one of the most rewarding yet high-pressure experiences of my career,” she adds, describing the combination of physical endurance, technical precision, and wildlife unpredictability as a true test of skill.
Up Close with the Young
Baby sea lions, with their playful antics and tender interactions, bring a heartwarming dimension to the film. Paul Stewart spent weeks tracking a star pup named Leo, navigating challenges posed by an El Niño event that had shifted normal breeding patterns.
Capturing the bond between mother and pup demanded patience. “These are intelligent, sentient, and fun-loving animals with emotional lives,” Paul reflects. Early boat landings, rough seas, and sharp lava presented constant logistical hurdles, while cameras had to be protected from sun, salt, and sand. The expertise of boat crews and guides, including Simone Bolivar from Galápagos National Parks, was essential in keeping the team safe while documenting these intimate moments.
Power on the Beach
On the Galápagos shores, male sea lions known as “Beach Masters” defend their territory in daily displays of dominance. Cinematographer Ewan Donnachie captured these confrontations using a custom-built gimbal/steadicam hybrid, which allowed for low, immersive perspectives most cameras cannot reach.
“I needed to read their reactions carefully, close enough to feel immersed in their world but never so close as to influence their behavior,” Ewan recalls. The rig’s flexibility allowed him to frame the sub-adult males in the foreground while highlighting the looming presence of the dominant Beach Masters in the background, creating dramatic, layered shots that emphasize size, power, and natural interactions.
This approach enabled the team to document the full intensity of the beach dynamics while respecting the animals’ space, offering audiences a closer, cinematic view of life in the Galápagos.
Guardians of the Galápagos & Conservation
Beyond the main feature, cinematographer Nicki Meharg documented behind-the-scenes sequences for Guardians of the Galápagos and the filming of Sea Lions of the Galápagos. Spending two months on location, she captured everything from underwater footage to day-to-day life on boats, often improvising with GoPros, RED cameras, and makeshift rigs.
Nicki also highlighted conservation and community initiatives, including climate change projects with coral scientists Julia Cole and Diane Thompson, the Reef Revival coral restoration effort, and the Galápagos Infinito program, which gives socially deprived children opportunities to experience nature.
“Guardians is not only an extended making-of film, but also a platform to highlight critical conservation projects,” Nicki explains. “My hope is that audiences support these projects and see how visitors can contribute positively as tourists.”
A special thank you to all the filmmakers, collaborators, and partners who made the #SeaLionsoftheGalápagosTakeover possible. From the cinematographers capturing rare moments of sea lion behavior to the teams supporting them on land and at sea, this takeover highlighted the dedication, skill, and passion behind Sea Lions of the Galápagos and Guardians of the Galápagos.
Stream Sea Lions of the Galápagos and Guardians of the Galápagos on Disney+.