Galápagos Islands Diving

Diving

By Karey Fuhs

The Galápagos are consistently ranked among the best overall dive sites in the world. Because of the combination of cool and warm water ocean currents and a high level of ecosystem protection, the variety and abundance of Galápagos fish and marine mammal species is astounding. Observant divers can expect to see both small reef fish like the endemic gobies and blennies common throughout the islands, and the big draws, like hammerhead, white-tipped and black-tipped reef sharks, Galápagos sharks, green sea turtles, manta and eagle rays, and if you are lucky, a whale shark.

The most frequented dive sites are Gordon Rocks, Daphne Minor, North Seymour (punta and canal), Floreana (Devil’s Crown, Champion, and Enderby), Cousin’s Rock, and Academy Bay, each of which offers a uniquely spectacular experience. There are also some interesting sites on San Cristobal island, such as Kicker Rock and Isla Lobos. Dive shops in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno can take you there.

Although any open-water certified diver is permitted to dive, strong surge, a dramatic thermocline, and varying water conditions may place the difficulty level of these sites outside of an inexperienced diver’s comfort constraints. All of the dive shops will require for safety purposes (and to check your weight) that you complete a check-dive either in Academy Bay or in a shallow, sandy area near your dive site, but it is your responsibility to recognize your own capabilities and dive (or sit on the boat) accordingly.

If you a certified diver and want to experience for yourself why Galápagos is consistently considered one of the best dive destinations in the world, it is important to be choosy about the type of dive experience you want and make your plans accordingly.

If you have a limited amount of time in the Galápagos, you want to tour the islands, and you want to dive, go ahead and dive in conjunction with your cruise tour. The only challenge is to communicate with crew members or your naturalist guide about when and where you will complete the dive: it would be a shame to miss out on another planned activity or to dive in an already determined snorkel spot.

If you want a dive experience separate from your cruise experience (and you want to dive at some of the best local spots), plan to organize a few daily dive tours from Puerto Ayora either before or after your tour.

If you are an ultimate dive aficionado and are looking for the best possibility to see rare tropical fish, schools of hammerhead sharks, and the elusive whale shark, join a live-aboard SCUBA tour to the outlying islands of Darwin and Wolfdive shops in Puerto Ayora.