Diving in the Galapagos
At this destination we offer dives with air and/or
.
For divers, the Galapagos is "the spot", a true privilege to dive into protected waters surrounded by rare species.
However, diving in the Galapagos is destined for experienced divers so that each diver can take full advantage of the sites in total safety. Our cruise is available for experienced divers holding a PADI Advanced Open Water or Level 2 Certification with a minimum of 100 dives. Occasionally, ocean swells make certain entries difficult and surface currents impose the necessity for immediate descents. The water is cool, especially between June and September and requires a good wetsuit and good physical condition. Having said this, the diving is available all year round.
The ocean thermoclime is reasonably distinct and varies in depth depending on the site and season.
Visibility is often average due to suspended plankton and microbial species, however the encounters are extraordinary. Near Wolf and Darwin, the visibility is often much better than in the rest of the archipelago.
Although the fixed fauna is almost nonexistent in the Galapagos Islands, this zone is one of the best in the world for diving with several species of sharks (Galapagos, silky, hammerheads, whale, grey, white tip) and also for turtles, tuna, dolphins, eagle rays, sting and manta rays, schools of fish and groupers. At the Galapagos everything is big, more abundant and magical. Seals and penguins surprise us with their aquatic games, the marine iguanas stride along the volcanic rocks looking for their food and orcas are sometimes encountered by the lucky diver.
Of a volcanic origin, the Islands offer a varied underwater topography essentially comprising of drop offs, sometimes descending beyond 1500 meters, reefs close to the surface and gentle rocky slopes moulded by the ocean swells.
Certified Nitrox divers have these air mixes available on Sky Dancer (at extra cost).Some pristine diving spots
Many divers agree that Wolf and Darwin are without a doubt the best dive sites on the planet. Situated in the North of the archipelago, land visits are prohibited. These islands are therefore not on the itinerary of naturalist cruises but must be imperatively included in the itinerary of a dive cruise.
Please note, dives in this area are often influenced by marine currents. Please follow the instructions of your guide and be vigilant, while taking full advantage of the spectacle of course.
At Darwin's Arch, the waters are slightly warmer than the central islands and attract an impressive quantity of pelagics: hammerheads, Galápagos sharks, dolphins, schools of yellow fin tunas, manta rays (mobula) and silky sharks. It is not unusual to encounter one or several whale sharks during a single dive (June to November). From time to time, tiger sharks, orcas and marlins visit this site.
At Wolf, several sites are continually patrolled by schools of hammerhead and Galápagos sharks. Dolphins, schools of tunas, eagle and leopard rays, barracudas, turtles, moray eels and seals are also part of the scenery.
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A beautiful dive site located on the North-East coast of Isabela, this zone is for athletic divers due to strong currents. We regularly encounter hammerhead sharks, Galápagos and white tips, as well as several species of rays and eels.
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The North-East peninsula of this island is very popular for snorkelers and divers due to its proximity to a beach of sea lions. These animals, especially the young, regularly enter the water to meet the swimmers.
Marine life observed includes sting and eagle rays, white tip and Galápagos sharks and turtles. The recommended site for diving is situated on the West coast of the peninsula and drop offs to more than 100 meters.
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Situated to the North of Bartolome, this wall dive is very interesting due to the large variety of species present. In addition, the visibility is pretty good all year round. We can regularly encounter white tip and hammerhead sharks, hunting seals, resting marine turtles, squadrons of eagle rays plus a multitude of small creatures amongst the hard coral: seahorses, angler fish, blue crabs, flame hawk fish and nudibranches... A treat for photographers, during the day and at night.
This site is without a doubt the best representation of the archipelago's biodiversity: almost all species classified in the Galápagos can be observed here, from the smallest goby to the largest whale shark. Tunas, jacks, red mullet, moray eels, eagle and sting rays, box, puffer and butterfly fishes and even batfish are locals of this site.
To the South of Seymour Island with a maximum depth of 17 meters, this is an amazing site due to its large population of garden eels, sting and leopard rays, jacks, groupers, red mullets and surgeon fishes. A fishy dive just how we like them.
Depending on the strength of the currents, this dive can be reasonably technical. The specific interest of this site resides in the presence of a large colony of sea lions. A fantastic occasion to observe their underwater dexterity and the motivation of the younger to nibble your fins to convince you to play. We also see white tip sharks and squadrons of eagle rays.
Close to Santa Cruz island, Gordon Rocks is considered one of the best dives of the central group of the archipelago. This ancient volcanic cone has been shaped by wind and sea. This dive is characterised by breathtaking vertical descents, shallow reefs between the rocks and a sandy region in the middle of the cone. Occasionally we encounter strong surface currents. On this site we will see different species of sharks, sea lions, eels, turtles and several species of rays.
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Technical information
| Minimum diving level required: | PADI Advanced, Level 2 or equivalent |
| Mininum number of logged dives required: | 100 dives minimum |
| Documents required: | Certification card, log book and proof of dive insurance for repatriation. Valid dive medical within last 12 months. |
| Number of dives included: | 17 dives |
| Diving boat(s): | 2 semi-inflatable dive tenders holding 8 people |
| Type of tanks: | 12 litre aluminium - single exit international tanks - DIN adaptors required |
| Mandatory equipment : | Dive computer, safety sausage, mirror |
| Recommended diving equipment: | 7mm hooded wetsuit, torch, gloves |
| Nitrox diving: | Yes at extra cost (USD 150 per cruise or USD 10 per dive) |
| Rebreather diving: | No |
| Closest recompression chamber : | Guayaquil |
