Diving and Snorkeling in the Galapagos Islands
GALAPAGOS DIVING CRUISE SEARCH: DATES & PRICES
Diving in the Galapagos Islands
Diving in the Galapagos Islands strictly follows the rules and regulations set by the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD). The Galapagos Marine Reserve covers an area of 120,00 square metres, and the various passing currents (Humboldt, Panama and Cromwell) attract big fish from July to December and extremely colourful tropical fish from January to June. If you’re looking to swim alongside sharks, massive tunas and even whales, you are in luck!
A map of the top 10 diving spots in the Galapagos Archipelago.
Diving Cruises & Ships
The Galapagos diving cruises and safaris are 8 days and 7 nights long. Diving safaris often begin from Baltra Island and end on San Cristóbal Island. At the moment, there are seven diving cruises (as shown below) with similar routings.
Nortada (first class) – 12 passengers – Baltra Island (return) to Wolf and Darwin Islands.
Blue Spirit (first class) – 16 passengers – Baltra Island (return) to Wolf and Darwin Islands.
Aggressor III (luxury class) – 16 passengers – Baltra Island (return) to Wolf and Darwin Islands.
Humboldt Explorer (luxury class) – 16 passengers – Baltra Island (return) to Wolf and Darwin Islands.
Galapagos Sky (luxury class) – 16 passengers – San Cristóbal Island (return) to Wolf and Darwin Islands.
With unpredictable sea conditions, strong waves and currents in the Galapagos Archipelago, it can be a challenge even for experienced divers. Those who are interested in diving in the Galapagos Islands must have at least 25 logged dives. If you have slightly less than the required number, you may hire a diving guide, who will accompany you on your personalised diving itinerary.
The first two days on board a dive safari is for you to familiarise and get comfortable with the terrain. Please note that the itineraries include few or no excursions on the islands, rather you will be spending most of the time underwater. Both Wolf and Darwin Islands are reserved for researchers. We strongly recommend you to spend a few days on an island after the dive safari to experience a different side of the Galapagos Islands.
Foto: Insel Darwin
Diving Day Tours – an alternative to Dive Safaris
It is also possible to explore the Galapagos Archipelago with a diving day tour instead. We work closely with renowned diving operators based in Santa Cruz Island and San Cristóbal Island. There are flexible diving day tours where you can book a boat for you and your partner or even just for yourself. The best diving spots in the inner areas of the archipelago are Punta Cormorant (Floreana Island), Gordon Rocks and Mosquera and Bartolomé Islands. These fantastic diving spots are all easily within reach.
Dive into the world’s best diving spots!
Popular Diving Spots
Wolf Island and Darwin Island are the absolute epitomai if you are looking to engage in shark and large fish diving. With challenging water conditions and strong currents around these islands, it is the centre of attraction for everything big and majestic on the Galapagos Islands. Lurking in the waters are hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, silky sharks and even the gigantic whale sharks. Dolphins and sea lions often join divers who stop to observe the breathtaking schools of sharks and fish. Massive tuna, schools of mackerel and eagle rays also inhabit the heavenly underwater ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands.
With indented coasts at North Seymour Island and steep rock faces at Mosquera Island, they are the optimal place for you to spot hammerhead sharks, flying mobula rays and many more magnificent sea creatures. When the sea lions are not busy sunbathing, they love frolicking in the waters with divers. The Galapagos shark and the oceanic whitetip sharks are frequently sighted, and large schools of snappers, Carangidae and countless varieties of fish make their rounds around the Galapagos Islands. The excitement does not end as you surface above water. You can catch a glimpse of the vibrant frigatebirds and the pelicans on the islands as well.