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Indepth Galapagos Islands Scuba Diving Information and Tour Preparation

Please Note: Scuba dive intensive programs are available on the Galapagos Sky. Occasional Scuba diving (1 or 2 days of diving) is offered on the Eric/Letty/Flamingo and is subject to availability. Additional scuba dive tours may be available on other yachts and can also be arranged in combination with our Galapagos Land Based Tours.

The Galapagos Islands have been called one of the "seven underwater wonders of the world" and for good reason. The diversity of species unique to the islands, pollution-free waters and many reefs and sheltered bays make the Galapagos a diving dream-come-true. Southern Explorations makes Galapagos diving easy. With expert dive masters and personally-inspected well-equipped boats the underwater world of the Galapagos makes for an unforgettable diving vacation.

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Scuba Diving Options in the Galapagos

We offer two ways to experience Galapagos Island scuba diving, our land-based Galapagos Multisport tour itinerary or a Galapagos cruise, such as the Eric/Letty/Flamingo. The land-based option is perfect for the occasional scuba diver who is as interested in the creatures on land as those in the sea. The land-based tour allows divers the opportunity to substitute the scheduled activities on Santa Cruz Island for a full or half day scuba diving excursion. Alternatively, we can add extra days at the end of the Galapagos Multisport tour to scuba dive on one or more days in order to take advantage of the full land based itinerary and diving. For Galapagos Islands cruise based travelers, please for available diving options. The occasional scuba diver can enjoy the normal land excursions while on a naturalist cruise and also sign up for several dives. This makes for a perfect combination of Galapagos Island Scuba Diving and land experiences while on a cruise. Avid scuba divers will most likely prefer a Galapagos dive cruise. The well-equipped Galapagos Sky features an itinerary geared to maximizing diving opportunities. The scuba-intensive trips feature a ten day itinerary, visiting the most remote of the Galapagos Islands where some of the best dive sights are located. On average, two immersions per day are scheduled in the diving itineraries. These are popular trips and departures are limited, so booking well in advance is necessary to ensure the availability during your ideal time.
Please about specific departure dates.
The occasional scuba diver can enjoy the normal land excursions while on a naturalist cruise and also sign up for several dives. This makes for a perfect combination of Galapagos Island Scuba Diving and land experiences while on a Galapagos cruise.
Avid scuba divers will most likely prefer a Galapagos dive cruise. The well-equipped Galapagos Sky features an itinerary geared to maximizing diving opportunities. The scuba-intensive trips feature a ten day itinerary, visiting the most remote of the Galapagos Islands where some of the best dive sights are located. On average, two immersions per day are scheduled in the diving itineraries. These are popular trips and departures are limited, so booking well in advance is necessary to ensure the availability during your ideal time.
Please about specific departure dates.

Galapagos Scuba Diving Seasons

The scuba diving in the Galapagos is truly some of the best in the world and excellent diving is guaranteed year round. Scuba divers are never exactly sure what will happen on any dive, but one can count on unbelievable experiences! Scuba diving in the Galapagos Islands is generally divided into two seasons: whale shark season and manta season. Water temperature and conditions vary considerably by season, and also changes as one moves from island to island, a major contributing factor to the overall density and diversity of marine life.
Manta season December through May, is warmer and visibility tends to be the best at this time. This time of year, you can expect to see many hammerheads: individuals, small schools, large schools, and even the possibility of running into a solid wall of hammers! There is also a large increase in the number of all types of rays this time of year including manta rays.
Whale Shark season June through November, is the time of year when whale sharks are present. There are plenty of hammerhead sightings as well during this time of year. For more about Galapagos weather, please read our Galapagos Islands Weather Information.

In preparation for your diving vacation

If planning to dive in the Galapagos, bring your open-water certification card and a recent medical certificate showing you are fit for diving. Divers must be 12 years of age. Although the Galapagos contains some fantastic beginner dive sites, we generally recommend to our clients that they possess at least intermediate diving skills and experience to dive in the Islands. This is because strong currents, surges, sea swells, upwelling and cold waters can occur in some Galapagos locations. Beginners are defined as having logged five to thirty dives; intermediates, thirty to 100; and experienced, over 100. Galapagos dives go no deeper than 100 feet, and no one is allowed to dive alone. Spear fishing is forbidden in the Galapagos Islands.
Currents in the Galapagos are unpredictable, ranging from negligible up to three knots. These, along with such other variables as visibility, temperature and surge, sometimes affect itineraries and exact travel times. If itineraries must be modified or cancelled due to these conditions, it may not be possible to see some species as certain locations.
The nearest hyperbaric chamber is located in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. There is another located at a Navy facility in the Ecuador mainland port city of Guayaquil.
We welcome questions to help you plan your Galapagos diving trip, please !