The Best Dive Sites in the Galapagos Islands

Category: Daily diving tour

Site: BARTOLOME ISLAND
Required experience: Minimum 0-4 dives

Location: Located east of the island of Santiago, this small island is known for its unique spear-shaped pinnacle. which is located within 90 minutes of the Itabaca Channel (north side of Santa Cruz Island). (BARTOLOME MAP)

Under the waves we dive, traverse and surround a rock platform with enough variety here we will dive along underwater cliffs that start at 15 m and disappear into the seabed, giving us a good opportunity to see pelagic animals. There is moderate current.

One of the special features of this island is that it is often possible to see penguins while snorkelling. Within its marine life we can see corals, reef fish, endemic fish, pelagic fish, whitetip sharks, blacktip sharks, rays and seahorses, mobulas, and a beautiful school of yellowtail surgeonfish.

Prices includes:

• Dive boat
• Certified divemaster guide
• Guide in English and Spanish
• Dive gear (complete wetsuit, regulator with octopus, BCD, mask, snorkel, fins, booties, gloves, hood, scuba tuba, tanks and weight belt)
• Snack or hot lunch

Prices do not include:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal expenses on board
• Tips / gratuities
• Services not Indicated

The island of Floreana is about 90 minutes south from our dive base. There are 9 dive sites here with generally calm waters. On the occasion that we do find strong currents, we can quickly move to another site, which makes Floreana ideal for all levels of divers. This site is one of the best in the central islands to see significant coral colonies, such as pebble coral and endemic black coral. You might encounter baby birds as they make unsuccessful attempts learning to fly. You may look on as barberfish clean sea turtles of parasites. Floreana is also one of the best sites to dive with sea lions. If if that isn’t enough there is the enticing gauntlet of sea horses, stingrays, eagle rays, turtles, long nose hawkfish, barracudas, pelagic fish, white tip reef sharks, Galapagos sharks, and hammerhead sharks

Prices includes:

• Dive boat
• Certified divemaster guide
• Guide in English and Spanish
• Dive gear (complete wetsuit, regulator with octopus, BCD, mask, snorkel, fins, booties, gloves, hood, scuba tuba, tanks and weight belt)
• Snack or hot lunch

Prices do not include:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal expenses on board
• Tips / gratuities
• Services not Indicated

Category: Daily diving tour
Site: SEYMOURNORTH
Required Experience: Minimum 4+ dives SEYMOUR NORTH

Location: It is located north of Santa Cruz Island; In this place there are two dive sites (Seymour North “El Canal” and La Punta). Seymour is a great place to enjoy diving, snorkeling, and land visits. It is a low-lying island with cliffs on the east, south and north coast, and is also known as one of the best places in the Galapagos for diving in the central islands. (SEYMOUR MAP)

This dive site is suitable for all levels of divers, it is one of the most beautiful sites for diving near Santa Cruz Island. It is the perfect place to start your diving adventure in the Galapagos Marine Reserve. Although we also sometimes have strong currents, especially in the months of June to September.

Whitetip reef sharks, Galapagos sharks, hammerhead sharks, blacktip sharks, tiger sharks and bull sharks. Also on this site we have manta rays, Galapagos garden eels, sea lions, barracudas, reef fish, Galapagos Blenny, and a variety of cleaning stations, variety of invertebrates; In the coastal area of Seymour it is possible to see frigates, blue-footed boobies, swallow-tailed gulls, lava gulls, and Galapagos sea lions.

Prices includes:

• Dive boat
• Certified divemaster guide
• Guide in English and Spanish
• Dive gear (complete wetsuit, regulator with octopus, BCD, mask, snorkel, fins, booties, gloves, hood, scuba tuba, tanks and weight belt)
• Snack or hot lunch

Prices do not include:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal expenses on board
• Tips / gratuities
• Services not Indicated

Category: Daily diving tour

Site: COUSIN ROCKS
Required experience: Minimum 0-4 dives

Location: Located on the east coast of Santiago Island, near Bartolomé Island, within 90 minutes of the Itabaca Channel (north side of Santa Cruz). It is a triangular-shaped islet.

Under normal conditions there are no strong currents. It is one of the few places where you can see endemic black coral on the walls among the colorful clams, algae, flora and fauna that cover the rocks like splashes of paint.

Washing station, Pacific seahorses, barracudas, sea lions, Galapagos sharks, whitetip sharks, sea turtles, reef fish, rays, eagle rays and a variety of invertebrates and mollusks. Marine life cleaning station and be impressed by schools of flying fish, floating bull’s eye. and the most entertaining and playful and characteristic of this area are the penguins that inhabit the surrounding area.

Prices includes:

• Dive boat
• Certified divemaster guide
• Guide in English and Spanish
• Dive gear (complete wetsuit, regulator with octopus, BCD, mask, snorkel, fins, booties, gloves, hood, scuba tuba, tanks and weight belt)
• Snack or hot lunch

Prices do not include:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal expenses on board
• Tips / gratuities
• Services not Indicated

This is the bay of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island with 5 dive sites all within 20 minutes from our base by boat. Three of the sites are generally calm with little current; ideal for students or novices. At the other two sties, the dives could be a little more complicated if there is a current so they are suitable for intermediate or expert divers. Frolic with sea lions or listen as the damselfish munches away at its algae farm. You may also see marine iguanas, rays, and even sharks all just outside your hotel’s door!

Prices includes:

• Dive boat
• Certified divemaster guide
• Guide in English and Spanish
• Dive gear (complete wetsuit, regulator with octopus, BCD, mask, snorkel, fins, booties, gloves, hood, scuba tuba, tanks and weight belt)
• Snack or hot lunch

Prices do not include:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal expenses on board
• Tips / gratuities
• Services not Indicated

Category: Daily Diving Tour

Site: DAPHNNE MINOR
Experience Required MINIMUM 0-4 DIVES

Lesser Daphne
Location: Near the north coast of Santa Cruz Island, there is Lesser Daphne (Sugar Loaf), Greater Daphne (Chinese Hat) and between these two sites is the Bajo de Daphne with exposed rock. It is an eroded cone. Located 30 minutes from the Itabaca Channel (north side of Santa Cruz Island). . At Daphne sites, advanced divers and beginners can enjoy spectacular wildlife together. We definitely recommend this site! (DAPHNNE MAP)

• Daphne Mayor: is an island with a large crater that is home to thousands of blue-footed boobies. This crater has also been the scene of many important scientific studies.
• Daphne Menor: Daphne Menor is a great place to view lava flows from previous volcanic eruptions in the Galapagos. For diving, this site has a mix of different topographies: vertical walls, slopes, pinnacles, a sea platform, and even a cave
• Daphne Bottom: Before 1942, this site was an ‘islet’ (very small island), but during During the Second World War, it was used as a practice target for American planes stationed on the island of Baltra. At this site we can even find remains of bombs from 1942!

Moderate currents at this site, a drift dive along the impressive descent at the top of a sloping wall, rocky bottom. and sandy.

Here we find a small cave (this is not a cave dive) where the whitetip shark and blacktip reef shark rest, in addition, there is a pinnacle where we find a diversity of rays, Galapagos sharks, turtles, reef fish, barracudas, black coral walls and a variety of invertebrates. The dive is carried out following the current. Here there are coral walls, reef fish, sea cucumbers, manta rays, sea lions, cod, pomfret, and «cleaning stations» and tiger shark.

Prices includes:

• Dive boat
• Certified divemaster guide
• Guide in English and Spanish
• Dive gear (complete wetsuit, regulator with octopus, BCD, mask, snorkel, fins, booties, gloves, hood, scuba tuba, tanks and weight belt)
• Snack or hot lunch

Prices do not include:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal expenses on board
• Tips / gratuities
• Services not Indicated

Category: Daily diving tour
Site: MOSQUERA
Required experience: Minimum 0-4 dives

Location: It is located north of Santa Cruz Island; Mosquera is an islet made up of rock and sand, located in the Seymour Channel and Baltra Island, with a beautiful landscape and an incredible beach inhabited by several colonies of sea lions. They interact with each other. (SEYMOUR MAP)

This dive site is suitable for all levels of divers. Normally there are no strong currents in this place, a sandy bottom between 15 and 18 meters with garden eels and pelagic species. There is also a wall that starts at 18 meters where we find black coral and a variety of invertebrates.

Hammerhead sharks, black tip reef shark, white tip reef shark, sea lions, turtles, barracudas, reef sharks. Fish, rays, eagle rays, mobula rays, Galapagos eel, variety of invertebrates, in the coastal zone swallow-tailed gulls with a, lava gulls, and Galapagos fur seals.

Prices includes:

• Dive boat
• Certified divemaster guide
• Guide in English and Spanish
• Dive gear (complete wetsuit, regulator with octopus, BCD, mask, snorkel, fins, booties, gloves, hood, scuba tuba, tanks and weight belt)
• Snack or hot lunch

Prices do not include:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal expenses on board
• Tips / gratuities
• Services not Indicated

Kicker Rock ( Leon Dormido)
Quick Overview: Sharks, Rays, Sea Lions, and Sea Turtles​
Departure, 8 Eight a.m. to three p.m. / maximum number of members in a group: 12, we provide snorkel equipment / Snorkeling and diving twice at Kicker Rock, we supply also towels.

Beach time Near Kicker Rock is included in Hidden beach, around one hour, lunch is included. Please let us know which of our options—vegetarian, fish, or meat—you prefer, coffee and a snacks.
There are snacks and non-alcoholic beverages like tea, coffee, coke, and water available.

Kicker Rock Information.
León Dormido, an hour’s drive from the port, offers two options for outdoor recreation: diving and snorkeling (for those with a license).
León Dormido is situated between 18 and 14 meters deep in the channel. And there is more than to its sides.

Prices includes:

• Dive boat
• Certified divemaster guide
• Guide in English and Spanish
• Dive gear (complete wetsuit, regulator with octopus, BCD, mask, snorkel, fins, booties, gloves, hood, scuba tuba, tanks and weight belt)
• Snack or hot lunch

Prices do not include:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal expenses on board
• Tips / gratuities
• Services not Indicated

Details of the tour
This Discovery diving tour is perfect for you if you’ve ever wanted to solve the mysteries of the underwater world! To dive into Shipwreck Bay’s pristine waters in San Cristóbal, Galápagos, you don’t require an Open Water license. From preparation to immersion, our knowledgeable diving guides will be with you every step of the way, guaranteeing a thrilling and safe experience.

You’ll have the opportunity to view this wildlife.

Reef Shark at sea
Marine Turtles
The stingray
Ocean Lions
Starfish
Sea Urchins
Different Types of Fish
Tools:
Long wetsuit
Fins
Shoes
mascara snorkel
Mask, scarf, mascara, regulator, buoyancy control device, or BCD

mascara snorkel, buzo lead weights, and an A tank

IMPORTANT: On the day prior to the tour, all passengers must show up at the agency between 3:00 and 6:30 p.m. for equipment testing.

Prices includes:

• Dive boat
• Certified divemaster guide
• Guide in English and Spanish
• Dive gear (complete wetsuit, regulator with octopus, BCD, mask, snorkel, fins, booties, gloves, hood, scuba tuba, tanks and weight belt)
• Snack or hot lunch

Prices do not include:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal expenses on board
• Tips / gratuities
• Services not Indicated

Duration: 1 day

Open Water License Requirement: Open Water License (minimum 4 dives) Difficulty: 12 years
Details of the tour
You will have the chance to visit two of the most intriguing dive sites in the Galápagos Islands on this tour. Uncover the secrets of a century-old shipwreck at Carawa and discover the incredible marine life that calls Bahía de Darwin home. Under the guidance of a skilled diving instructor, your day will be filled with underwater discoveries.
You will get the chance to see wildlife.

At sea: Sea Turtles, Reef Sharks, and Cat Sharks
The stingray
Dolphins mola mola (sunfish)
Ocean Lions
Starfish
Sea Urchins
Different Types of Fish

Birds: Boobies with blue feet
Nazca Pelicans Boobies
Frigatebirds Suitcase:
long wetsuit
Boots Fins
mascara snorkel regulatorBCD (buoyancy control device) mascara snorkel regulator

Buzzo Lead Weights
mascara, snorkel, two reservoirs

IMPORTANT: For the equipment test, all passengers must arrive at the agency the day before the tour, between 3:00 and 6:30 p.m.
Site characteristics: Darwin Bay | One immersion

Prices includes:

• Dive boat
• Certified divemaster guide
• Guide in English and Spanish
• Dive gear (complete wetsuit, regulator with octopus, BCD, mask, snorkel, fins, booties, gloves, hood, scuba tuba, tanks and weight belt)
• Snack or hot lunch

Prices do not include:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal expenses on board
• Tips / gratuities
• Services not Indicated

Duration 1 day / Discovery
Moderate Difficulty ← 12 years old
Age: This program is intended for beginners; an open water license is not required.

Details of the tour
This Discovery diving tour is perfect for you if you’ve ever wanted to solve the mysteries of the underwater world! To dive into Shipwreck Bay’s pristine waters in San Cristóbal, Galápagos, you don’t require an Open Water license. From preparation to immersion, our knowledgeable diving guides will be with you every step of the way, guaranteeing a thrilling and safe experience.
You will get the chance to see wildlife.
Reef Shark at sea
Stingrays and sea turtles
Ocean Lions
Equipment: Starfish, Sea Urchins, Different Fish Species
elongated wetsuit
Boots, fins, mascara, and snorkel
Mask, scarf, mascara, regulator, buoyancy control device, or BCD
Buzzo Lead Weights
mascara snorkel
IMPORTANT: On the day prior to the tour, all passengers must show up at the agency between 3:00 and 6:30 p.m. for equipment testing.

Prices includes:

• Dive boat
• Certified divemaster guide
• Guide in English and Spanish
• Dive gear (complete wetsuit, regulator with octopus, BCD, mask, snorkel, fins, booties, gloves, hood, scuba tuba, tanks and weight belt)
• Snack or hot lunch

Prices do not include:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal expenses on board
• Tips / gratuities
• Services not Indicated

The trip to the renowned Española Island takes approximately two hours. You’ll get off the boat at Punta Suarez and go for a stroll that should take you about two and a half hours. You will be able to observe a wide variety of wildlife on this hike, including albatrosses, blue-footed boobies, finches, the Galapagos Hawk, Nazca boobies, and marine iguanas. You’ll take a well-earned break at a little beach after the hike, and then you’ll head back to the boat for lunch.

Investigating Underwater in Gardner Bay
We will cruise to Bahía Gardner, where you can dive into the Galápagos for an exhilarating experience. You will receive a thorough briefing from your diving guide prior to diving, and this is an unforgettable experience that takes about 45 minutes to complete. Reef sharks, sea lions, sea urchins, sea stars, turtles, rays, and a wide variety of fish can all be seen underwater. You will return to the boat to sail home after this immersion.

Duration: One Day

Open Water License Requirement: Open Water License (minimum 8 dives) Difficulty: 12 years

Details of the tour
Go on an unforgettable journey to Española Island in the Galapagos, where the majesty of nature is fully displayed. Our tour takes you around this famous island, which is home to rare species and magnificent scenery. Experience a day full of exploration and unforgettable natural wonders as you learn about the enchantment of both marine and terrestrial life.

There will be wildlife for you to see.

Galapagos Shark at sea
Dolphins, sea turtles, and stingrays
Ocean Lions
Starfish
Sea Urchins Diverse Fish Types

Birds: Blue-footed Booby, Albatross, and Nazca Booby Galapagos Hawk Finch

Tools: elongated wetsuit
Boots Fins mascara snorkel regulatorBCD (buoyancy control device) mascara snorkel regulator

Lead weights or buzo weight belts

mascara, snorkel, two reservoirs

IMPORTANT: In order for the equipment to be tested, all passengers must arrive at the agency one day before the tour, between 3:00 and 6:30 p.m.

Prices includes:

• Dive boat
• Certified divemaster guide
• Guide in English and Spanish
• Dive gear (complete wetsuit, regulator with octopus, BCD, mask, snorkel, fins, booties, gloves, hood, scuba tuba, tanks and weight belt)
• Snack or hot lunch

Prices do not include:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal expenses on board
• Tips / gratuities
• Services not Indicated

Two dives, dive boat, divemaster guides, dive gear (complete wetsuit, regulator with octopus, BCD, mask, snorkel, fins, booties, gloves, hood, scuba tuba, tanks and weight belt), snack and light lunch.

Available departing from Isabela Island.

Prices includes:

• Dive boat
• Certified divemaster guide
• Guide in English and Spanish
• Dive gear (complete wetsuit, regulator with octopus, BCD, mask, snorkel, fins, booties, gloves, hood, scuba tuba, tanks and weight belt)
• Snack or hot lunch

Prices do not include:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal expenses on board
• Tips / gratuities
• Services not Indicated

This site is sooo pristine:  Hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, green sea Turtles, black juvenile orals, seahorses, octopuses, eagle rays, schools of barracudas, great variety of tropical fishes, etc.

Prices includes:

• Dive boat
• Certified divemaster guide
• Guide in English and Spanish
• Dive gear (complete wetsuit, regulator with octopus, BCD, mask, snorkel, fins, booties, gloves, hood, scuba tuba, tanks and weight belt)
• Snack or hot lunch

Prices do not include:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal expenses on board
• Tips / gratuities
• Services not Indicated

Main Activities: Snorkeling and Sport Fishing, the snorkel has an estimated time of 45 to 65 minutes varies depending on the group, the depth ranges from 12, 7 and 5 meters
Intensity: Snorkeling / Intermediate Swimming
Tour Duration: 5 hours
Group size Requires a minimum of 6 people for departure, ask for availability. Highlights: Scalloped hammerhead sharks, juvenile giant mantas from 2.5 to 6 meters of mobula birostris species, whitefin reef sharks, juvenile Galapagos sharks, green turtle and hawksbill turtles, eagle ray, golden ray, octopus, lobsters, a wide variety of fish including barracudas, yellowfin tuna, schools of pompanos and seasonal whale shark watching, dolphins and killer whales.

It includes snorkeling equipment (mask and fins), cressi brand short wetsuit, lunch and drinks in a box, towels, tourist transportation, English-speaking naturalist guide and a whole team 100% committed to giving you the best possible experience. PLUS photos will be taken during the tour for you to take a copy of and are also available on our Facebook page.

The pick starts at 7:40 am at the indicated hotel, we head to the office to try snorkeling equipment, from there we take a boat for 25 to 30 minutes to Tortuga Island and then enjoy a boat ride around the island with the opportunity to see Galapagos seabirds such as blue-footed boobies, Nazca boobies, frigate birds, lava gulls and tropical birds, we have one of the largest populations of marine iguana on the coast of the island, we will observe the Galapagos sea lions known as the two-haired lion and the sea lions known as the Californian sea lion, then we enter the water for the first dive into shallow water around the outer area of the island for about 45 minutes. There is a good chance that we will see hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, reef sharks, giant manta rays, golden rays, striped eagles, sea lions, sea turtles and a wide variety
of fish. Then there is a rest stop of about 40 minutes, where we can enjoy seasonal fruits and drinks.

During this ride there will be the option to fish with the crew from the boat, then we will have the last chance to get back in the water to dive into shallow waters, once we finish the second snorkel we will sail to Lobería Grande and enjoy our lunch included. Then, the boat will take us back to Puerta Villamil.

Prices includes:

• Dive boat
• Certified divemaster guide
• Guide in English and Spanish
• Dive gear (complete wetsuit, regulator with octopus, BCD, mask, snorkel, fins, booties, gloves, hood, scuba tuba, tanks and weight belt)
• Snack or hot lunch

Prices do not include:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal expenses on board
• Tips / gratuities
• Services not Indicated