Exploring the Extraordinary Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands, a remote archipelago of volcanic islands off the coast of Ecuador, offer a truly unparalleled diving experience. As a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world's most unique ecosystems, the Galapagos is famed for its fearless and abundant marine life. The best way to immerse yourself in this spectacular environment is by booking a liveaboard galapagos trip.

Wildlife Encounters

The Galapagos is a bucket-list destination, particularly for large animal encounters. Divers frequently share the water with playful sea lions, unique marine iguanas (the world's only swimming lizard), and graceful sea turtles. However, the islands' biggest draw is the concentration of pelagic species. At the remote northern islands of Darwin and Wolf, divers can expect thrilling drift dives featuring huge schools of hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, and seasonal encounters with giant whale sharks and manta rays. Other popular sites like Cousins Rock offer excellent macro photography opportunities alongside eagle rays.

Diving Conditions and Best Time to Visit

Diving in the Galapagos is considered intermediate to advanced due to the challenging conditions, including strong currents and cold water temperatures from the upwelling of the Cromwell Current. Divers should be comfortable with drift diving and performing negative entries.

The islands offer year-round diving, but the season is divided based on what marine life you want to see:

Warm Season (December to May): Water temperatures are warmer (up to 27°C/82°F), and seas are generally calmer. This is the peak time for mating manta rays, sea lions, and sea turtles.
Dry/Cool Season (June to November): Water is cooler (down to 18°C/65°F), but this attracts the largest schools of fish and is considered the best time for spotting whale sharks at Darwin and Wolf Islands.

Given the remote location of the best dive sites, a liveaboard is necessary to maximize time underwater and access the most famous locations, making the journey an unforgettable expedition into natural history.