Diving in the Galapagos : practical information

Experience needed to dive in the Galapagos

Beginners: Newly certified or others with few logged dives (6 to 15 dives).

Intermediate: 15 to 50 logged dives with cold water, drift and wall diving experience.

Advanced: 50 or more logged dives with cold water, drift and wall diving experience.

Describing your diving experience is always necessary before confirming a dive trip to ensure your safety.

Indeed, a diver with 10 logged dives in cold water with currents may feel much more comfortable than a diver with 40 dives in warm water and little current.

Similarly, a recently certified beginner will often be more comfortable than a diver with 50 dives who has not dived for 6 years.

Can we dive without a guide in the Galapagos?

No, it is not allowed to dive without a guide in the Galapagos Islands. Galapagos Island regulations require that all divers be accompanied by a licensed professional dive guide, who has extensive knowledge of the dive sites and conservation measures in place. Local dive guides are also trained to ensure diver safety and to minimize the environmental impact of diving.

In addition, local authorities in Galapagos strictly regulate access to dive sites to preserve the unique underwater flora and fauna of the region. Divers must respect the diving quotas and environmental restrictions in place to minimize their impact on the fragile Galapagos marine environment.

It is therefore highly recommended to book a guided diving tour through a licensed travel agency to explore the underwater wonders of the Galapagos Islands safely and in compliance with environmental regulations.

What is included in your day trip?

• Scuba tanks
• Full 7mm wetsuit with BCD vest, regulator, mask, gloves, fins, lead belt (for those who bring their own equipment, except tanks and lead belt, a $20 discount is given)
• Bilingual naturalist guide of the national park (Spanish/English) for 8 people.
• According to the Galapagos National Park regulations, the boat, crew and passengers are insured. Mandatory safety equipment is present on the boat (oxygen, first aid kit)
• Transportation to the dive sites.
• Towels
• Transfers

Weather conditions in the Galapagos

The climate and temperature of the waters surrounding the islands are modified by different marine currents. The cold Humboldt Current coming from Antarctica brings water at a temperature of about 20°C from June to October.

The Cromwell current is a deep current and lowers the water temperature (about 16°C) while the El Nino current warms the water (27°C) especially between November and April.

These different currents are very local and can, in one week, make the water temperature vary from 16 to 27°C! The thermocline is quite marked and its depth varies according to the sites and the season.

The climate is therefore not typically tropical, but rather dry and variable, marked by two seasons:

• December to May, a hot season (23 to 30°C) with showers. During this period, the water temperature can reach 27°C and the sea is relatively calm with a better visibility.
• June to November, a cold season (19 to 26°C) which is quite dry. The water temperature can go down to 21°C. The sea is rougher and the visibility less good, but it is during the cold season that divers have more chances to see whale sharks. June and November are transition months.

Contact us to have more information to dive in Galapagos.