Galapagos Scuba diving
DIVING SITES
Punta Suarez, Espanola Island
Punta Suarez is one of the most outstanding wildlife areas of the archipelago, with a long list of species found along its cliffs and sand or pebble beaches. In addition to five species of nesting seabirds there are the curious and bold Hood Island Mocking birds, Galapagos Doves and Galapagos Hawks. Several types of reptiles, including the brilliantly colored Marine Iguana and the oversized Lava Lizard, are unique to this island. When heavy swells are running Punta Suarez is also the site of a spectacular blowhole, with thundering spray shooting 30 yards into the air.
Gardner Bay, Espanola Island
Gardner Bay is on the eastern shore and has a magnificent beach. This beach is frequented by a transient colony of sea lions, and is a major nesting site for marine turtles. Around the small islets nearby, snorkelers will find lots of fish and sometimes turtles and sharks. On a trail leading to the western tip of the island you'll pass the only nesting sites in the Galapagos of the waved albatross, huge birds with a 6-foot wingspan.
Lobos Island, San Cristobal Island
The popular dive/snorkeling site is formed by San Cristobal Island on one side and long, narrow Lobos Island on the other. The result is a shallow, protected bay of sorts which is somewhat cloudy, but very popular among novice divers and snorkelers, as the water is warm, there is a lot to see, it's not very deep (About 25-30 feet maximum, most of it is shallower), there are no currents or big waves, and you're almost guaranteed to see sea lions frolicking nearby. If you're there in the late morning or early afternoon, there is also a good chance you'll see marine iguanas eating seaweed underwater.
Kicker Rock, San Cristobal Island
Could be the best dive in the central islands, on par with Gordon Rocks. Two sheer vertical stacks extending from the floor of the ocean to 148 metres. An incredible canal between the two islands provides shelter to sharks and many other fish.
Roca Ballena, San Cristobal Island
A small, narrow outcrop of rock running parallel to the shore. The site provides shelter for fish and is jam-packet with wildlife. Cartainly one of Cristobal’s best dive sites
Punta Pitt, San Cristobal Island
Unusually ocean floor, with many large boulders. Huge schools of diverse fish & more turtles than you’ll see in most Galapagos dive site. The most easterly dive in the archipelago.
Santa Fe Island
This island is a solid structure of basaltic lava rocks about an hour away from our base. The 4 dive sites here generally have excellent visibility and mild currents, making these sites ideal for novices. At the same time, the animals and topography (including a spectacular arch) make them interesting for intermediates and experts. You can see stingrays, eagle rays, garden eels, turtles, sea lion colonies, morays, pelagic fish, and maybe white tip reef sharks and/or hammerhead sharks.
Academy Bay, Santa Cruz Island
This is the bay of Puerto Ayora at Santa Cruz Island, offering 5 dive sites within 10 or 20 minutes by boat from our Dive Centre. Three of the sites are generally calm with little current; ideal for students or novices.
At the other two sites the dives could be a little more complicated if there is current, so they are suitable for intermediate or expert divers.
Academy Bay has 3 dive sites: Estrada point, El Bajo. Camaño Islet. Here is possible to see reef fish, sea lions, sting rays, golden rays, eagle rays, invertebrates, morays, garden eels, turtles, iguanas, and white tip reef sharks.
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