Galapagos Diving
The Galápagos are consistently ranked among the best overall dive sites
in the world. The combination of cool and warm water ocean currents,
geographic isolation, and high protection make the Galápagos Islands one of
the world's most complex—and biologically interesting—oceanic archipelagos.
The Galápagos marine ecosystem boasts an astounding level of species
diversity, richness, and endemism, which means that divers can enjoy
macro-sized delights—like the gobies and blennies common throughout the
islands but found nowhere else in the world—and unforgettable panoramic
seascapes speckled with giant schools of tropical fish, rays, and
hammerheads. The most frequented dive sites are Gordon Rocks, Daphne Minor,
North Seymour, Floreana (Devil's Crown, Champion, and Enderby), Cousin's
Rock, and Academy Bay.
Many of the cruise boats offer scuba-diving packages in conjunction with
general tours, either organized autonomously—with equipment and guide
available onboard—or in partnership with dive shops in port towns. Although
each boat with scuba-capacity has slightly different policies regarding the
accommodation of its diver passengers, most offer one of four dive plans: a
pre-arranged number of immersions included in the price of the cruise
package; a variable number of dives organized and paid for individually
through onboard personnel; day scuba-tours arranged with local dive shops;
or week-long live-aboard scuba tours. Since each option has advantages and
disadvantages, it is important to identify which type of dive experience
fits most closely with individual expectations.
• Pre-arranged dive packages are probably the most economical option,
since many boat owners offer discounted prices for multiple dives. However,
since dives are non-refundable, unexpected changes in passenger attitude,
comfort, or health could result in lost dives.
• Boats will also organize immersions for scuba-certified passengers on
an individual basis, acquiring equipment and making schedule changes as
needed. This option allows for a great deal of passenger flexibility, but
requires clear communication with crew members and/or the naturalist guide
about when and where the dive will be completed, since a dive may be
scheduled during another activity or at an already-determined snorkel site.
• If a cruise boat lacks the infrastructure for scuba-diving, it can
arrange for passengers to join a day scuba-tour offered by a local dive
center. Day scuba-diving packages—which include two immersions at one dive
site and full equipment rental—last until the early afternoon, so cruisers
will probably miss any morning activity planned onboard. Furthermore, this
option is only available when cruise anchor points coincide with port towns
(where passengers can pick up the tour) or the dive site chosen by the
center (some of which will agree to pick passengers up).
• Ultimate dive aficionados wanting to see the Galápagos from a primarily
underwater perspective can book a live-aboard scuba tour to the outlying
islands of Darwin and Wolf. This option offers the best possibility for
seeing rare tropical fish, schools of hammerhead sharks, and the elusive
whale shark, but it also excludes any terrestrial touring.
A good compromise for travelers with some extra vacation time is to
arrange a few daily dive tours from Puerto Ayora or San Cristóbal either
before or after a tour. This option provides visitors with comprehensive
land and marine experiences.
Although any certified diver is permitted to explore the exciting
underwater world of the Galápagos, strong surge, a dramatic thermocline, and
unpredictable conditions may place the difficulty level of certain dive
sites outside of an inexperienced diver's comfort constraints. For safety
and weight-checking purposes, dive shops organizing day trips will require
that all divers complete a check-dive either in Academy Bay or in a shallow,
sandy spot near the dive site. Unfortunately, Divemasters guiding immersions
from cruise ships do not always follow these safety precautions, so it is
your responsibility to recognize your own capabilities and dive—or sit out
on the boat—accordingly.
The wildlife you will see on your Galapagos tour are completely
unaffected by Galapagos travel visitors . For this reason, there is a
restricted number of visitors permitted into the Galapagos each year, as
part of a joint effort to protect the delicate environmental and ecological
equilibrium. The most sensible method of Galapagos travel is via our cruise
ships. The M/V Galapagos Legend provides 3 night, 4 night and 7 night
cruises to select from, which can also be easily merged with Galapagos
travel visits to neighboring South American locations