Why do scuba-diving in Galapagos?

A great marine biodiversity

The Galapagos Islands, located in the Pacific Ocean, are famous for their unique biodiversity and natural wealth. One of the most popular activities for visitors to the archipelago is scuba diving, which offers an incredible experience to explore the underwater wonders of this region. Diving in the Galapagos Islands offers a unique opportunity to observe a wide variety of marine species, including sharks, rays, sea turtles, tropical fish, sea lions and even penguins. The crystal clear waters of the Galapagos also offer exceptional visibility, making it one of the best places in the world for diving.

A protected marine space

However, due to the fragility of the Galapagos marine ecosystem, strict regulations have been put in place to protect the local fauna and flora, which implies limitations on dive sites, the number of divers allowed and the use of environmentally friendly techniques. In this introduction, we will explore more about the wonders of diving in the Galapagos Islands, as well as the conservation measures put in place to protect this unique marine environment.

Other dive sites where hammerhead sharks can be seen include:

• Gordon Rocks, near the island of Santa Cruz
• Punta Vicente Roca, on the island of Isabela
• Cousin’s Rock, near the island of Santiago

It is important to note that diving with hammerhead sharks is an exciting experience but also very respectful of the marine environment. Divers must follow safety rules and respect the marine environment to ensure the protection of these magnificent creatures.

Best Galapagos diving spots by region

Diving spots in the northern Galapagos archipelago

Diving around Darwin Island

• Nearest island: Darwin Island (the island itself is only accessible on guided boat tours)
• Diving level: advanced to expert
• Conditions: very strong currents, variable visibility, cold to temperate water
• Best time to dive: June to November
• Spots: El Arco – El Arenal

Darwin Island is considered one of the best dive sites in the world due to its abundant and diverse marine life. However, diving conditions are very difficult, with strong and unpredictable currents. Divers must be experienced and have diving certification before they can participate in dives at Darwin Island. The best conditions for diving Darwin Island are generally from June to November, when currents are strongest and marine life is most active.

Darwin is the northernmost island and about 4 hours or more by boat from Wolf. There is no possibility of visiting the island. Diving conditions can be rough with waves, swells and shifting currents.

The cold Humboldt current has little effect this far north, so the water is a few degrees warmer (December to April: 24° C – 27° C; May to November: 22° C – 25° C).

Darwin is a dream site for experienced divers, with numerous encounters: angelfish, schools of mackerel, tuna, moray eels, parrotfish, but also hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, silky sharks, dolphins, manta rays…

From June to October, you can see whale sharks and sometimes tiger sharks and whales.

Diving around Wolf Island

• Nearest island: Wolf Island (the island itself is only accessible on guided boat tours)
• Diving level: advanced to expert
• Conditions: strong currents, cold to temperate water, variable visibility
• Best time to dive: June to November
• Spots: El Derrumbe – La Ventana – La Banana – Shark Point

Wolf Island is considered one of the most extreme dive sites in the Galapagos, offering challenging diving conditions but also unique encounters with large marine species such as hammerhead sharks, manta rays and whales.

Like Darwin, Wolf is one of the two small islands furthest from the heart of the Galapagos Archipelago, and can only be reached by cruise ship, making it a favorite destination for divers.

Wolf is also a great place to see hammerhead and silky sharks. Because of the warmer water, you’ll also find many warm-water fish not found anywhere else.

You may see rays, turtles, hammerhead sharks, spotted moray eels and scorpion fish. In the shallows, you’ll come across flatfish. The best time to dive here seems to be the warmer season for better visibility.

Diving around Genovosa Island

• Nearest island: Genovesa Island (the island itself is only accessible on guided boat tours)
• Diving level: beginner to advanced
• Conditions: cold water, moderate to strong currents, variable visibility
• Best time to dive: June to November

The water is also a little warmer than on the central Galapagos Islands. You can see groupers, barracudas, rays, tunas and sometimes mantas or hammerhead sharks.

The dive sites around Genovesa Island offer a diverse diving experience with a variety of marine life to discover, including schools of fish, sea turtles, manta rays, sharks, sea lions, dolphins and whales.

Beginner divers can enjoy snorkeling in Darwin Bay, while more experienced divers can explore deeper, more advanced dive sites.

Diving spots in the heart of the Galapagos Archipelago

Diving around Fernadina

• Nearest island: Fernandina Island (the island itself is only accessible on guided boat tours).
• Diving level: intermediate to advanced
• Conditions: cold water, strong currents, variable visibility
• Best time to dive: June to November
• Spots: Espinosa Point, Cape Douglas, Cape Hammond, Mangle Point

The island is surrounded by shallow rocky reefs covered in green algae, the only diet of the marine iguana. You’ll also come across large colonies of endemic marine iguanas. The water here is always cold, as Fernandina lies right in the upwelling zone of the cold Cromwell underwater current.

The dive sites around Fernandina Island offer a unique diving experience with abundant marine life, including schools of fish, hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, manta rays, dolphins and whales. Intermediate to advanced divers can explore deeper, more advanced dive sites such as Cape Douglas and Punta Espinosa, which offer challenging diving conditions with strong currents and unpredictable waves. Snorkeling is also a popular activity around Fernandina Island, with many shallow sites for beginners.

Diving around Isabela

World-class diving. Here are some key facts to know about diving around Isabela:

• Nearest islands: Isabela, Fernandina and other islands in the Galapagos archipelago
• Diving level: beginner to advanced
• Conditions: cold water, variable currents, variable visibility
• Best time to dive: June to November
• Spots: Elizabeth Bay, TagusCove, Roca Blanca, Garcia Point, Alfaro Point, Vicente Roca Point, CuatroHermanos Rock, Union Rock, Roca Redonda, La Viuda, Tortuga Island, West Tortuga Island, Cowley Island, ShimpthCove, Cape Rosa, Cape Marshall.

Near Puerto Villamil in southern Isabela, there are some interesting dive sites around several small islands in the vicinity.

The west of Isabela is directly in the path of the Cromwell Current, so there’s a lot of upwelling of cold water. Temperatures are around 20 to 24°C, but can drop as low as 15°C in years when the archipelago experiences the El Niño phenomenon.

This area is therefore particularly interesting, as some fish are more abundant than anywhere else in the Galapagos Islands due to the cold water.

The dive sites around Isabela offer a variety of marine life to discover, including sea turtles, manta rays, hammerhead sharks, schools of fish, marine iguanas and sea lions. Beginners can enjoy snorkeling in the shallow areas, and more experienced divers can explore the more advanced dive sites, such as Roca Redonda and Las Tintoreras.

Diving around Rabida

Rabida is a small island in the Galapagos archipelago, famous for its red sand beaches and unique rock formations. Here are some key facts about diving around Rabida:

• Nearest island: Rabida Island (the island itself is only accessible on guided boat tours)
• Diving level: beginner to intermediate
• Conditions: cold water, weak to moderate currents, good visibility
• Best time to dive: June to November

Rabida is a small island southwest of Santiago with interesting reddish lava. There’s a large saltwater lagoon with pink flamingos and a colony of pelicans. You’ll dive on the west side of the island (West Cove) and the north (North Point), where it drops to over 30m. There’s a large colony of sea lions, and of course you can also meet them underwater. White-tip eagle rays, Galapagos sharks and sea turtles can also be seen here. It’s also a good place to spot marine iguanas.

The dive sites around Rabida offer a unique diving experience with abundant marine life, including reef sharks, sea turtles, schools of fish and sea lions. Beginner divers can enjoy snorkeling in the shallow areas, and intermediate divers can explore the more advanced dive sites, such as Murenes Wall and Punta Bermejo. Diving conditions are generally good, with clear visibility and moderate currents.

Diving around Santiago

• Nearest island: Santiago Island
• Diving ability: beginner to advanced
• Conditions: cold water, variable currents, good visibility
• Best time to dive: June to November
• Spots: James Bay, BucaneerCove, Albany Islet, Cousins Rock, Don Ferdi Rock, Bainbridge Rock, Beagle Rock

Santiago’s dive sites include a variety of underwater rock formations, cliffs and tunnels, home to a wide variety of marine life. Beginner divers can enjoy snorkeling in shallow areas, and more advanced divers can explore underwater caves, wrecks and complex rock formations. Marine species that can be encountered in Santiago include reef sharks, rays, schools of tropical fish, sea turtles and marine iguanas. Diving conditions can vary considerably from site to site, with moderate to strong currents and good to excellent visibility.

Diving around Santa Cruz

• Nearest island: Santa Cruz Island
• Diving level: beginner to advanced
• Conditions: cold to temperate water, variable currents, good visibility
• Best time to dive: June to November
• Spots: Black TurtleCove, Academy Bay, Point, Gordon Rocks

Dive sites around Santa Cruz include underwater rock formations, sandbars, reefs and wrecks.

Beginner divers can enjoy snorkeling in shallow areas, and more advanced divers can explore complex rock formations and wrecks. Marine species that can be encountered at Santa Cruz include reef sharks, rays, schools of tropical fish, sea turtles and marine iguanas.

Diving around Santa Fe

Santa Fe is a small island to the east of Santa Cruz Island, in the Galapagos archipelago. It is renowned for its natural beauty and abundant fauna, both on land and in the water. Here’s some key information to know about the Santa Fe diving spot:

• Nearest island: Santa Fe Island
• Diving level: beginner to advanced
• Conditions: cold to temperate water, moderate currents, variable visibility
• Best time to dive: June to November
• Spots:Fondeadero, El Miedo Point, La Botella

Santa Fe’s dive sites are located in the southeast of the island and include several interesting underwater rock formations, as well as sandbanks and coral reefs. Beginner divers can enjoy snorkeling in shallow areas, while more advanced divers can explore underwater caves and tunnels.

Diving around San Cristobal

San Cristobal is one of the main islands of the Galapagos archipelago, located to the east of Santa Cruz Island. It is renowned for its spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife and incredible diving sites. Here are some key facts to know about San Cristobal’s diving spots:

• Nearest island: San Cristobal Island
• Diving level: beginner to advanced
• Conditions: cold to temperate water, moderate to strong currents, variable visibility
• Best time to dive: January to May
• Spots: Tijeretas Hill, Kicker Rock, LobosIsla, Punta Pitt, Five FingersIslet, Whale Rock, East Rock

San Cristobal is one of the easternmost islands of the Galapagos. The best-known dive site is Kicker Rock. From a distance, it looks like a sleeping lion, hence the Spanish name Leon Dormido.

You can encounter huge schools of salemas and jacks, barracudas and Galapagos sharks. The rocks are home to starfish, crustaceans and other invertebrates. Diving is interesting as you plunge into the narrow channel with vertical cliffs on either side.

San Cristobal offers a variety of dive sites for all levels of diver. Among the most popular sites is Kicker Rock, located off the west coast of San Cristobal. Kicker Rock is a spectacular rock formation that emerges from the water and offers panoramic views of the surrounding marine life. Divers can swim through natural arches and encounter a wide variety of marine creatures, including hammerhead sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, schools of tropical fish and sea lions. Other popular dive sites around San Cristobal include La Loberia, Punta Pitt and Tijeretas.

Diving around Seymour Island

• Nearest island: Seymour Island
• Diving level: beginner to advanced
• Conditions: cold to temperate water, moderate currents, variable visibility
• Best time to dive: January to May

You’ll dive along a rocky slope in the shallow area near the island. You can observe manta rays, eagle rays and hammerhead sharks.

There are also plenty of reef fish. Because there are so many fish here, you can often see birds diving to hunt them underwater. This is a place where you can meet many sea lions.

The best places to dive in the southern Galapagos archipelago

Diving around Floreana

• Nearest island: Floreana Island
• Diving level: beginner to advanced
• Conditions: cold to temperate water, moderate currents, variable visibility
• Best time to dive: January to May
• Spots: Champion Islet, Cadwell Island, Devils Crown, EnderbyIslet, Gardner Islet, Watson Isle

The diving spots around Floreana Island offer a variety of underwater landscapes, from craggy rock formations to colorful coral reefs. The marine life around Floreana is equally diverse, with eagle rays, sea turtles, reef sharks and a wide variety of tropical fish.

Popular dive sites around Floreana include Champion Islet, Enderby Islet and Punta Cormorant. Champion Islet is known for its schools of colorful fish, while Enderby Islet is famous for its hammerhead sharks. Punta Cormorant is a popular dive site for beginners, with calm, shallow waters and a wide variety of marine life.

Water temperature is usually a little lower than in the central islands. Some fish are more abundant, such as the harlequin wrasse and many others, as they prefer colder waters.

Diving around Española Island

• Nearest island: Española Island
• Diving level: intermediate to advanced
• Conditions: cold to temperate water, strong currents, variable visibility
• Best time to dive: January to May
• Spots: Suárez Point, Gardner Islet, Bajo Gardner, Osborn Islet

Scuba diving in the Galapagos Islands is the dream of many divers. But which spot to choose? We have selected the best spots for you.