The Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands, a volcanic archipelago nestled in the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Ecuador, beckon divers with their unparalleled marine biodiversity and pristine underwater landscapes. From majestic marine iguanas grazing on rocky shores to playful sea lions darting through kelp forests, the Galapagos offers an underwater world unlike any other.

How To Get To The Galapagos

The only way to get to the Galapagos islands is to fly. Visitors can fly to the mainland of Ecuador, to airports in either Guayaquil or Quito. From here, a second flight can be taken to either Seymour Island or San Cristobal Airport on the islands.

It is not possible to reach the islands by cruise or boat.

Biodiversity Is What Makes The Galapagos Special

These volcanic islands, renowned for their unique wildlife and the pivotal role they played in Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, are also home to an extraordinary underwater world teeming with life.

The Galapagos’ exceptional biodiversity, a result of its isolation and unique environmental conditions, has transformed the archipelago into a world-class diving destination. With over 1,300 marine species recorded, including over 30% found nowhere else on Earth, the Galapagos offers divers an unparalleled opportunity to explore a diverse underwater realm.

Here are just a few of the marine species that are endemic to this region:

• Galapagos Four-Eyed Blenny
• Gulf Cuskeel
• Odd Highhat
• Finless Eel
• Mystery Goby
• Blackspot Porgy
• Bicolor False Moray
• Galapagos Razorfish
• Marine Iguanas

On land, visitors are amazed by the Giant Tortoise, Flightless Cormorant, Galapagos Penguins, Lava Lizards, and more than 13 different species of finch.

The biodiversity here has resulted in the islands being designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national park. The archipelago’s fragile ecosystems are carefully protected to ensure the preservation of its unique biodiversity.

Should Beginner Divers Visit The Galapagos?

No, in general, the Galapagos Islands are not a good diving destination for beginner divers.

While many dive sites are suitable for beginners, the most famous locations, like Darwin and Wolf, are challenging. Reachable only by liveaboard, strong currents at these sites can create strenuous conditions. Our team believes that divers should have at least 100 dives in a variety of conditions before traveling here.

Since this is a once or twice in a lifetime trip for many divers, our team suggests waiting until you have experience and additional certifications before booking a trip to the Galapagos.

However, if you’re still determined to visit the Galapagos as a beginner diver, here are some dive sites you may enjoy:

1. Sante Fe: Here you can see massive schools of fish, sea lions, turtles, and whitetip reef sharks.
2. Daphne Minor: This is a wall dive that provides ample opportunity to see Manta Rays!
3. Pinzon: A small island located off the western coast of Santa Cruz, this wall dive is a great place to see schools of dolphins, sea horses, turtles, and several different species of shark.