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Indepth Galapagos Islands Scuba Diving Information and Tour Preparation

Please Note: At this time Sky Dancer and Alta are the only boats offering dive intensive cruises. Occasional diving (1-3 days of diving) is offered on only a few yachts and is subject to availability. Please contact us for more details.
Please contact us for more details.

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 Multi-sport itinerary for choose from twenty-five different cruise boats equipped for diving. The land-based option is perfect for the occasional diver who is as interested in the creatures on land as those in the sea. The land-based tour includes visits to two islands each day, giving groups of two or more divers the opportunity to dive on one of these islands either in the morning or afternoon. For the occasional diver, Galapagos Islands scuba diving is a pleasure, but not the focus of the trip.
Avid divers will most likely prefer a Galapagos dive cruise. These well-equipped yachts feature an itinerary geared to maximizing diving opportunities. The scuba-intensive trips feature a seven or 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 of a ship with a dive master onboard. Please contact us about specific departure dates.

Best Season for Galapagos Scuba Diving

The Galapagos has two main seasons. From January to June it is hot with air temperatures ranging from 78 to 88°F, and water from 70 to 85°F. The sun is strong and the seas calm. Rain is most common in the early mornings in January, and the hottest month is March.
From July to December, there may be misty rains with occasional clouds or overcast skies and light rain. The sea may be slightly choppy, though storms do not occur in the Galapagos. Water temperatures are a bit cooler, from 60 to 70°F, and the air is mild, ranging from 68 to 78°F. The coldest month is September.

Galapagos Island night scuba dives

ACADEMY BAY at Santa Cruz Island The best location for a night dive is Academy Bay on Santa Cruz Island where various species of invertebrates and fish only come out at night. This scuba diving locale is for intermediates and experts only.

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 decide among the myriad of Galapagos diving trip options we offer.