Galapagos
Galapagos
One of the richest marine ecosystems in the world
Galapagos Islands are a premier liveaboard diving destination boasting unique and abundant marine life. At least 32 different species of shark, whale shark, oceanic manta, marine iguana, sea lion, ocean sunfish, cetaceans, and various pelagic species. This remarkable underwater wildlife spectacle results from the convergence of three ocean currents within this vast marine reserve. Additionally, the extreme isolation of the Galapagos has led to the evolution of huge and unique animal species: marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, giant tortoises, and different subspecies of mockingbirds and finches, all of which make fascinating subjects for travel photography.
SCUBA DIVING
The Galapagos Islands are located about 1,000 kilometers from the South American Pacific coast, in front of Ecuador, to which they belong. The Humboldt Current carries plankton and nutrients from distant Antarctica along the coast of Chile and Peru, creating one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world. As it merges with other, slightly warmer currents rich in nutrients, it fosters a unique environment of extraordinary diversity.
In the Galapagos, divers have the opportunity to swim with seals, sea lions, marine iguanas, penguins, Galapagos sharks, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, manta rays, as well as huge schools of tuna and pelagic fish. As a Marine Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Galapagos Islands are a world-class diving destination, making them a must-visit for divers and nature lovers. If they are fortunate, visitors may even encounter humpback whales and sperm whales passing through the area.
DIVE SITES
The absolute must-see islands on a diving cruise are Wolf and Darwin, which offer the best diving for the pelagic. The cruises are 7 nights and include four dives per day, 2 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon, plus two-night dives a week.
THE ARCH, DARWIN ISLAND
The Darwin Island Arch is, according to many experienced divers, the best dive site in the world. On a single dive, you can encounter schooling hammerhead sharks, silky sharks, Galapagos sharks, large pods of dolphins, thick schools of skipjack and yellowfin tuna, big eye jacks, mobula rays, and sea turtles. From June to November, it is not uncommon to encounter large numbers of whale sharks on a single dive. The occasional presence of tiger sharks, black and blue marlins, and killer whales adds to this incredible diving experience. If you still have time to look for smaller fish, you will find octopuses, flounders, and an enormous variety and abundance of tropical fish. Darwin Island is the crown jewel of the Galapagos.
The Arch, formerly a natural rock arch in the Galapagos Islands, collapsed in 2021 due to erosion. Divers often descend quickly, hold onto the rocks, and witness the impressive marine life passing by. Visibility at Darwin’s Arch typically ranges from 12 to 24 meters/40-80 feet. The dive site slopes from shallower areas at around 9 meters/30 feet to deeper sections, potentially exceeding 40 meters/130 feet. Moderate to strong currents and potential surges are a common feature of the Darwin’s Arch dive site. While the peak season is June to November, hammerhead sharks and manta rays are year-round at Darwin Island.
SHARK BAY, WOLF ISLAND
Wolf Island’s Shark Bay has dive sites to choose from and is famous for its incredible shark encounters, especially with the schooling of hammerhead sharks and large aggregations of Galapagos sharks. It’s also the site where scalloped hammerheads and whale sharks are spotted. Seeing dolphins, large schools of tuna, spotted eagle rays, barracudas, sea lions, sea turtles, and hundreds of moray eels free-swimming in the bottoms is common. On a night dive, you will also enjoy watching the red-lipped batfish walk along the bottom of the sea.
Shark Bay dive site features a wall dive with caverns and tunnels. Visibility is usually good, ranging from 12 to 24 meters/40-80 feet. Depths depend on the location but generally range from 9 to 37 meters/30-120 feet, although most dives are to a maximum depth of 18 meters/60 feet. The strong currents at Shark Bay often result in drift dives, where divers are carried along by the current while observing the underwater scenery. Shark Bay is typically accessed by liveaboard dive boats, as there are no visitor sites on Wolf Island. While the peak season is June to November, hammerhead sharks can be seen year-round at Wolf Island.
GORDON ROCKS, SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
Gordon Rocks is an eroded volcanic crater with a sandy bottom at 32 meters and a wall that drops to around 65 meters. Three exposed rocks and three pinnacles, ranging from 5 to 6 meters below the surface, are along the northern edge of the crater, with a larger pinnacle approximately 21 meters below the surface in the center. As you may have already understood, the particular Gordon Rocks morphology features strong currents and upwellings, which bring nutrient-rich water to the surface, attracting large pelagic fish and making it a challenging dive site. Divers will see hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, eagle rays, moray eels, and various reef fish.
Visibility at Gordon Rocks ranges from 10-25 meters/33-82 feet. The site has a maximum depth of 32 meters/105 feet. Strong currents and surges are common. The best time to dive at Gordon Rocks is from June to November because the cooler water of Humboldt Current attracts an abundance of marine life and offers a higher chance of encountering larger marine animals.
ROCA REDONDA, ISABELA ISLAND
Roca Redonda on Isabela Island is an underwater volcano teeming by Galapagos sharks and hammerheads. The dive site is approximately 25 kilometers northwest of Isabela Island, making it accessible primarily by liveaboard. Due to unpredictable currents and surges, diving at Roca Redonda can be challenging and not always possible. The cold Cromwell Current influences this site, resulting in consistently low water temperatures, requiring divers to wear appropriate exposure suits. Roca Redonda features underwater fumaroles or vents releasing steam and gas bubbles, providing a glimpse into the ongoing volcanic activity. Divers can expect to see an array of marine life, including schools of hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, barracudas, sea lions, eagle rays, colorful nudibranchs, and various fish species: snapper and other tropical species.
Visibility at Roca Redonda ranges from 3 to 10 meters/10-33 feet, although it can improve to around 18 meters/60 feet under favorable conditions. The site reaches a maximum depth of 27 meters/88 feet, with better conditions often found below 12 meters/40 feet. Divers should master strong and variable currents, including the possibility of down currents. The best time to dive Roca Redonda is during the cooler months, from June to November, also known as whale shark season, when these gentle giants are found in large numbers, as do huge schools of hammerhead sharks.
CAPE DOUGLAS, FERDINANDA ISLAND
Known also as Cabo Douglas, is a dive spot located on the northwest side of Fernandina Island, a famous dive site celebrated for its unique wildlife encounters and drift diving experiences. Fernandina Island is home to the active volcano La Cumbre, which has experienced eruptions within the last ten years. Cape Douglas is a popular spot for seeing marine iguanas, Galapagos penguins, and sea lions interacting together. Galapagos penguins and flightless cormorants, both unique species, can be seen together underwater and on the surface.
Cape Douglas is known for its strong currents, making it a great drift dive for experienced divers. Visibility can vary, but it’s generally good, with an average of 10-20 meters/33-66 feet. The dive sites typically range from 10-20 meters/33-66 feet. Moderate to strong currents are a defining characteristic. While the depth is relatively shallow, the strong currents make it best suited for intermediate to expert divers. The best time to dive Cape Douglas is generally during the cooler, drier months from June to December, when larger marine species migrate to the area.
VICENTE ROCK POINT, ISABELA ISLAND
Known as Punta Vicente Roca, is northwest of Isabela island and is usually dived on your way back from Darwin and Wolf islands on the liveaboard. It is a cold and deep vertical wall covered in coral, sponges, and black coral and is famous for its unique marine life and dramatic underwater scenery. Divers can expect to encounter Mola Mola (sunfish), seahorses, red-lipped batfish, and the occasional orca. The site is also known for its playful sea lions, Galapagos penguins, and the chance to spot feeding frenzies of various species.
Vicente Rock Point features a drift wall dive with a sloping wall reaching 28 meters/90 feet. Photography can be challenging here due to visibility issues and the need for fast shutter speeds to capture surface creatures; however, the rewards can be substantial when conditions are favorable.
COUSINS ROCK, SANTIAGO ISLAND
Cousins Rock is a dive site known for its diverse marine life and dramatic underwater scenery, located off the coast of Santiago Island. It features a wall with terraced steps covered in black coral and is home to various species, including penguins, sea lions, sea turtles, barracudas, rays, and sharks, sometimes hammerheads. The rock is a tuff cone separated from Santiago Island and has a collapsed crater shape, of which only part is visible on the surface.
Visibility at Cousins Rock is between 10-20 meters/ 33-66 feet. Better visibility generally occurs during the warmer months (December to May) when the southeast trade winds weaken, and the water from the Panama Basin brings warmer and calmer seas. The maximum depths are 12-40 meters/40-130 feet.
PITT POINT, SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND
Known also as Punta Pitt, is on the northeastern tip of San Cristobal Island and the turning point from the wild to the calm sea protected by the island, a unique dive site for a unique combination of terrestrial and marine biodiversity. The site boasts a diverse underwater landscape with volcanic rock, sandy bottoms, and coral reefs. And it is the only place in the Galapagos where all three booby species nest together. The marine life includes sea lions, turtles, whitetip reef sharks, rays, and large schools of fish. Hiking is possible with a steep trail leading visitors up the cliffs to observe the booby colonies and other birdlife.
Visibility at Pitt Point can vary but usually ranges from 10 to 35 meters/33-115 feet. The dive sites are typically shallow, with a maximum depth of around 23 meters/75 feet. The waters are shallow and calm seas suitable for diving and snorkeling.
KICKER ROCK, NEAR SAN CRISTOBAL
Known as León Dormido (Sleeping Lion), is a popular spot for diving and snorkeling, with impressive rock formations and abundant marine life. Its towering volcanic rock formation rises from the ocean floor and is home to an incredible diversity of marine life. Kicker Rock is the remnant of a volcanic tuff cone, eroded by wave action into two prominent rock formations separated by a narrow channel. The site is a haven for diverse marine species, including hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, blacktip reef sharks, sea lions, sea turtles, eagle rays, and various fish species. Snorkelers will have the chance to see many of the same marine creatures as divers.
Visibility at Kicker Rock is typically best during the warm months of January to May, when hammerhead sharks are more frequently spotted. The site has moderate to strenuous difficulty due to open water snorkeling from a boat through a deep natural channel between the rocks. Depths range from 9 to 40 meters/30-130 feet. The snorkeling in the channel between the rock formations has an average depth of 18 meters/60 feet.
DIVING SEASON
In the Galapagos, water temperature varies with the seasons, ranging from 18-23ºC (64-73ºF) from June to November and 20-27ºC (68-80ºF) between December and May. Throughout the year, thermoclines can reach up to 18 degrees.
Understanding Galapagos diving season
The Galapagos can be visited year-round. However, from December to April, the water is warmer and the sea is calmer, making dives more enjoyable. This period, known as manta season, is excellent for spotting hammerhead sharks, as these sharks tend to ascend deep sea walls, forming large schools. To navigate the currents, hammerhead sharks must slowly wave their tails to maintain their positions.
From June to November, when the water is colder, is the high diving season. It is when marine life flourishes due to increased nutrient levels in the water. It is also whale shark season, marked by a notable increase in the number of whale sharks, which often decreases during other times of the year.
The best time to scuba dive in Galapagos highly depends on what you’d like to see. Feel free to get in touch and ask bout our experiences during the different seasons. We’ve organized successful trips to the Galapagos since 2010 and can give you recommendations based on your preferences.
HOW TO GET THERE
To visit the Galapagos Islands, you must first fly to one of two cities in Ecuador: Quito or Guayaquil. From either of these cities, you can take a flight to the islands. There are no international flights to the Galapagos; all connections must go through Ecuador.
LIVEABOARD & PRIVATE CHARTERS
Dive boats operating cruises in Galapagos:
Humboldt Explorer
The Humboldt Explorer offers exceptional service thanks to its professional crew and excellent management organization. The boat has eight cabins for 16 divers. Six of these cabins can be configured either with two single or double beds. The boat’s layout also includes a restaurant lounge, a sun deck, and a photography room with private storage for video cameras.
Galapagos Aggressor III
The Galapagos Aggressor has been operating in the Galapagos Islands since 1994. The yacht features four cabins with separate beds and four cabins with double beds, accommodating a total of 16 passengers. It includes a restaurant lounge, a sundeck, a spacious diving area, and facilities for photographers.
Tiburon Explorer
The Tiburon Explorer is an elegant and spacious luxury liveaboard to dive Galapagos Islands. This modern yacht features nine staterooms, each with a private bathroom and ocean view. Diving operations are conducted from two tenders easily boarded from the dive deck. A large camera table equipped with charging stations and individual storage areas.
Cruises and naturalistic stays
In addition to diving, the Galapagos are fantastic for tours or naturalistic cruises, visiting the islands and terrestrial fauna, which includes giant tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions, and an infinite variety of sea birds. The isolation of the Galapagos Islands has fostered a unique evolution of flora and fauna, with huge and rare species that were the main source of inspiration for Charles Darwin when developing his theory of species evolution.
