GALAPAGOS DIVING EXPERIENCE
World-class diving, marine megafauna & the ultimate underwater adventure.
5 days / 4 nights
Overview
This land-based diving program in the Galápagos Islands is designed for certified divers seeking thrilling underwater encounters in one of the world’s most iconic marine ecosystems. Based on Santa Cruz Island, the program combines comfortable hotel stays with full-day diving excursions to some of the archipelago’s most renowned dive sites.
Rather than following a fixed itinerary, dive locations are scheduled according to weekly operation days, sea conditions, and park regulations—ensuring the safest and best possible diving experience.
What to Expect
Expect early starts, exciting navigation to remote dive sites, and multiple daily dives in nutrient-rich waters known for strong currents and exceptional marine life. This program is designed for experienced and adventurous divers, offering challenging yet rewarding dives in one of the planet’s most dynamic ocean environments.
Between dives, you’ll enjoy surface intervals onboard, lunch and hydration, and briefings tailored to each site. Evenings are free to rest and prepare for the next day’s underwater adventure.
Highlights
- World-class diving in the Galápagos Marine Reserve
- Encounters with hammerhead sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, and large pelagic species
- Small dive groups with professional dive masters
- Comfortable land-based accommodation on Santa Cruz Island
- Ideal program for divers who want intense underwater action without a liveaboard cruise
Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival in GalapagosArrival at Baltra Airport, followed by transfer to Santa Cruz Island.
In the afternoon, enjoy a visit to the highlands, where you’ll explore lush landscapes and have the chance to see giant tortoises in their natural habitat—an excellent introduction to the islands before diving days begin.
Days 2, 3 & 4 — Full day diving
Three consecutive full diving days, each including multiple dives at selected sites according to the official weekly dive calendar.
General daily schedule includes:
- Early morning departure from the dock
- Navigation to the dive site – Dive briefing, weight check and safety procedures
- First Dive (Depth 18-25mts/59-82ft. Max time 1 hour)
- Surface intervals onboard with snacks and hydration (1.5 hour)
- Second Dive (Depth 18-20mts/59-65ft. Max time 1 hour)
- Lunch & Return to Santa Cruz Island in the afternoon
Dive sites vary depending on the day of operation and may include current-swept channels, submerged volcanic formations, and cleaning stations frequented by large pelagic species.
Day 5 — Departure
Transfer from Santa Cruz Island to Baltra Airport for your return flight to Quito, Guayaquil, or Cuenca.
Diving Requiriments
- It is mandatory to hold a diver´s certification (PADI, NAUI, CMAS, etc.) Advanced Open Water certification (minimum)
- Medical Certificate if declaring any medical condition and/or people over 60 years old that have not been diving during the last 8 months
- We accept certified beginner divers at all dive sites except Gordon Rocks for which we require a minimum of 25 logged dives and the las 18 months
- Minimum age to participate 10 years
- Good physical condition
- Valid dive insurance covering Galápagos
Daily Visiting Schedule
Dive locations are assigned according to a fixed weekly calendar regulated by the Galápagos National Park, which determines which sites can be visited each day. This system ensures sustainable tourism and the highest safety standards.
DAYS | GALAPAGOS BOATS |
MONDAY | FLOREANA (2 dives) |
TUESDAY | GORDON (2 dives) *** |
WEDNESDAY | NORTH MOSQUERA / SEYMOUR CHANNEL |
THURSDAY | BARTOLOME / COUSINS |
FRIDAY | SOUTH MOSQUERA / DAPHNE |
SATURDAY | SEYMOUR NORTHEAST / SEYMOUR CHANNEL |
SUNDAY | PUNTA CARRION / GORDON *** |
IMPORTANT: The itinerary may change due to National Park dispositions or circumstances beyond our control.
*** Minimum of 25 logged dives / last 18 months before or the evaluations of our guides. | |
Dive Sites Overview
The Galápagos Marine Reserve is famous for its biodiversity and unique underwater conditions. Each site offers a different perspective of the Galápagos’ extraordinary marine life, making every dive a unique experience. Wildlife sightings are natural and cannot be guaranteed.
GORDON ROCKS
Is one of the most iconic dive sites in the Galápagos and a true highlight for experienced divers. Located off the northeastern coast of Santa Cruz Island, about 45 minutes from the Itabaca Channel, this site is the eroded crater of a submerged volcanic cone. Often nicknamed “the washing machine,” Gordon Rocks is famous for its strong currents, surge, and occasional downcurrents, making it an exciting advanced dive environment. Beneath the surface, divers explore submerged pinnacles and a natural channel where marine life concentrates. Encounters may include hammerhead sharks, Galápagos sharks, white-tip reef sharks, turtles, mobula rays, eagle rays, barracudas, stingrays, reef fish, and a variety of fascinating invertebrates. While conditions can sometimes be calm, this site is best suited for advanced divers due to its unpredictable currents.
FLOREANA EXPERIENCE
Floreana Island, one of the oldest islands in the archipelago and the first inhabited by humans, offers a diverse selection of dive sites such as Punta Cormorant, Enderby, and Champion. Located south of Santa Cruz (around 90 minutes from the base), Floreana features a mix of reef and wall dives, with corals, sponges, and rich marine life concentrated in the shallows. Divers can expect sea lions, Galápagos sharks, white-tip reef sharks, green turtles, rays, barracudas, reef fish, and invertebrates, often around cleaning stations. With generally mild currents, it is an excellent option for beginners, while still offering a relaxing and rewarding dive for experienced divers.
NORTH MOSQUERA
Mosquera North is a highly popular dive site thanks to its moderate-to-strong currents and strong chances of spotting hammerhead sharks. Located north of Baltra, just 25 minutes from the Itabaca Channel, this sandy islet is also home to a large sea lion colony. Underwater, the terrain descends to a sandy platform where hundreds of endemic garden eels can be seen, along with reef fish and rays. The reef area is known for a blacktip shark cleaning station, making this a dynamic and exciting dive, still suitable for beginners under normal conditions.
SEYMOUR CHANNEL
One of the most visited dive sites due to its excellent marine activity and proximity to Santa Cruz (25 minutes from Itabaca Channel), Seymour Channel offers a deeper dive profile (around 20–25 meters) with sandy bottoms filled with garden eels. The dive gradually becomes shallower toward a rocky reef where white-tip sharks often rest. Divers may encounter hammerheads, eagle rays, stingrays, flounders, reef fish, and other pelagic sharks, especially when currents increase. Suitable for all levels, although currents can occasionally be strong.
BARTOLOME
Bartolomé is known for its striking underwater terraces descending to deeper waters, with black coral formations and excellent opportunities to spot unique marine life such as the Pacific seahorse. Overhangs provide shelter for white-tip reef sharks, green sea turtles, moray eels, and octopus, while schools of barracuda and reef fish are commonly seen. Located near Santiago Island, about 90 minutes from Itabaca Channel, the site usually has moderate currents and offers chances to see mobula rays, stingrays, and occasional pelagic species. A great option for both beginners and experienced divers.
COUSINS ROCK
Located near Bartolomé on the east coast of Santiago Island (90 minutes from Itabaca Channel), Cousins Rock is a triangular islet offering scenic diving along a shelving reef with impressive black coral walls. Conditions are usually calm, making it ideal for a wide range of divers. Marine highlights include sea lions, Galápagos sharks, white-tip sharks, sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, barracudas, reef fish, invertebrates, and the chance to spot Pacific seahorses. A fantastic site for both relaxed exploration and biodiversity.
SOUTH MOSQUERA
Mosquera South is often combined with Seymour dives due to its location between Baltra and North Seymour (25 minutes from Itabaca Channel). The site features a sloping reef starting shallow, descending to areas rich in black corals and marine invertebrates, and ending in a deeper rift that drops to around 30 meters. With moderate-to-strong currents, Mosquera South is known for encounters with hammerheads, Galápagos sharks, whitetip sharks, rays, garden eels, and abundant reef fish. Suitable for beginners with proper guidance, but especially rewarding for more experienced divers.
DAPHNE
Daphne Minor is a wall dive located near the northern coast of Santa Cruz, around 30 minutes from Itabaca Channel. Although visibility can be reduced due to plankton, this is exactly what attracts one of its main highlights: manta rays, often seen at close range. Divers may also spot juvenile Galápagos sharks, white-tip reef sharks, eagle rays, turtles, barracudas, and diverse reef fish. The dive includes a small cave area (not a cave dive) and is considered easy to intermediate, with moderate currents and the need to monitor depth along the wall.
PUNTA CARRIÓN
Punta Carrión is one of the best sites to begin diving in Galápagos, located just 10 minutes from the Itabaca Channel. The first section is calm and protected, with a sandy-rocky bottom full of marine life, ideal for building confidence. As the dive progresses toward the outer gorge, divers may encounter stronger currents and better chances to see pelagic species such as Galápagos sharks and blacktip sharks. Thanks to its combination of sheltered and open-water conditions, Punta Carrión works well for both beginners and advanced divers.
NORTH SEYMOUR POINT EXPERIENCE
North Seymour Point is one of the most popular dive sites in the central Galápagos, located just 25–30 minutes from the Itabaca Channel (north of Santa Cruz). Similar to Seymour Channel but slightly more exposed, this site is known for its moderate currents and excellent marine activity, often offering a good chance to spot hammerhead sharks.
The dive follows a rugged coastline with rocky platforms and small caves where white-tip reef sharks frequently rest. Along the way, divers may encounter Galápagos sharks, eagle rays, mobula rays, green sea turtles, and schools of pelagic fish. Hidden among the rock formations, it is also possible to find moray eels and colorful nudibranchs.
The experience typically ends on a platform around 15 meters deep, where white-tip sharks often gather in impressive numbers, creating a thrilling finale to this dynamic and wildlife-rich dive.
Included
Airport transfers (Baltra – hotel – Baltra)
Accommodation in Santa Cruz Island (4 nights)
All meals (4 breakfast, 4 lunches, 4 dinners)
04 Daily diving excursions as per schedule
Complete dive Gear: 5 – 7 mm wetsuit, Regulator, BCD, mask, fins, boots, hood, textile gloves, wights and compressed air
12-liter dive tanks with yoke valve system
Certified dive guide / dive master – 2 guides for 12 divers
Transport to and from the dive´s sites
Snack & Luch
Not Included
Flights to and from the Galápagos Islands – Estimated price range: USD 500– 550 per person
Galápagos National Park entrance fee: USD 200 per adult (cash only)
INGALA Transit Control Card: USD 30 (for residents, Ecuadorian and foreign tourists)
Nitrox tanks, Dive Computer, DIN Adaptor (available for rent upon request)
Soft and alcoholic beverages
Travel and dive insurance (highly recommended)
Additional services not indicated
Personal expenses and gratuities
