Diving and
the top 5 dive spots
Galapagos Islands

 

Why Galapagos diving
is special

The Galapagos Islands are widely considered one of the finest places on our planet for diving.

Top 5 dive spots
and areas

The Galapagos has numerous dive spots and areas - and everyone has his favorite. These are the top five:

Darwin and Wolf Islands
Situated in the far northwest of the Galapagos Islands. Only divers may visit them - and even then, they are prohibited from stepping foot on land.
Gordon Rock and the Plazas
Both lie near each other, just off Santa Cruz Island.
Devil's Crown
A small rocky islet off Floreana Island.
Cousin's Rock
Off Santiago Island.
Kicker Rock aka Leon Dormido
A soaring rock formation off San Cristobal Island.

Needed diving proficiency
level in the Galapagos

Nearly all Galapagos diving spots are recommended only for intermediate to advanced divers because of strong currents, low visibility, thermoclimes, cold water, compression chamber inaccessibility, and sizeable marine creatures (as large as whale sharks). However, dive operators in Puerto Ayora have outings that take lower-skilled divers to nearby, less-challenging sites.

Diving tips

Currents
They can be strong during the Galapagos Islands' dry season (June to December, and especially in August and September).
Trade off
The water is warmer, calmer, and clearer during the wet season (January to May), but there are considerably more fish to observe in the dry season (June to December).
Availability
Few Galapagos cruise boats have SCUBA gear or even offer diving time. However, some vessels are happy to book a private dive boat with a PADI dive master for you. You do not need to go ashore. The diveboat picks you up and returns you to your cruise boat.
If you're keenly into diving
A small number of live-aboard Galapagos cruise boats specialize in diving, or devote much of their itinerary and schedule to it. The 16-passenger Sky Dancer is the best known one - and offers up to four dives a day. Other live-aboard choices include the Lammer Law and the Aggressor I and II.
Daytrip dives
You can book daytrip dives out of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. But the best way to go is on a live-aboard. You'll visit a greater variety of dive spots.
Boat speed
Make sure your boat is a fast one, especially if you are going to distant islands.  You don't want to eat up precious time traveling in a boat that you could be spending diving.
Shore excursions
If this is your first visit to the Galapagos Islands, be sure your diving vacation includes at least several shore excursions to see blue-footed boobies, land iguanas, giant tortoises, and other interesting land wildlife.

Other water sports

Click diving for my page on that topic. Also see my more helpful tips page for a brief comment on kayaking.

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