Plongée à Galapagos Islands — Ecuador

The Galapagos Islands offer diving encounters found nowhere else on Earth — schools of 300+ scalloped hammerheads at Darwin and Wolf Islands, marine iguanas grazing on algae underwater, and Galapagos penguins zipping past your mask. The water is cold and the visibility can be challenging, but the sheer density of megafauna makes every dive an extraordinary wildlife spectacle. This is advanced diving that demands experience and rewards it richly.

Score
66.9
Visibilité
6–24m
Température
17–26°C
Meilleurs mois
June, July, August
Back to directory
World Class
Advanced
Galapagos Islands
EcuadorSouth America
66.9

SCORE

-0.9538°N

-90.9656°E

The Galapagos Islands offer diving encounters found nowhere else on Earth — schools of 300+ scalloped hammerheads at Darwin and Wolf Islands, marine iguanas grazing on algae underwater, and Galapagos penguins zipping past your mask. The water is cold and the visibility can be challenging, but the sheer density of megafauna makes every dive an extraordinary wildlife spectacle. This is advanced diving that demands experience and rewards it richly.

Darwin's Underwater Laboratory

Visibility6–24 m
Temperature17–26°C
Max Depth30 m
Currentstrong
2-Tank Dive$300
Best MonthsJune, July, August, September
CertificationAdvanced Open WaterAdvanced

Score Breakdown

Click any score to see a detailed breakdown

ML97.0CH45.0VIS48.0SV72.0TMP42.0DA65.0OP82.0TS82.0GT42.0VAL28.0CRD75.0SP98.0

Marine Life

97.0

Species diversity, megafauna encounters, reef fish abundance, macro life, and endemic species.

Species Diversity
92
Megafauna Encounters
100
Reef Fish Abundance
78
Macro Life
65
Endemic Species
100
Marine Life Diversity
97.0
Coral & Reef Health
45.0
Visibility & Conditions
48.0
Dive Site Variety
72.0
Water Temperature
42.0
Depth & Access
65.0
Operator Quality
82.0
Topside Experience
82.0
Getting There
42.0
Value & Cost
28.0
Crowding
75.0
Social Proof
98.0

Traveling with Non-Divers?

This destination is primarily accessed by liveaboard — not ideal for non-diving partners. Consider planning separate shore-based activities before or after your liveaboard trip.

Activities for Non-Divers

giant tortoise reserve visitblue-footed booby spottingmarine iguana watchingsea lion snorkelingCharles Darwin Research Stationkayaking

Nearby Cultural Sites

  • Charles Darwin Research Station
  • Wall of Tears (Isabela)
  • Las Grietas swimming

Non-Diver Score

10/10

Excellent for non-divers — they'll love it here.

Family FriendlyYes
Restaurants & Nightlifemoderate

Safety & Emergency

Dive Insurance

DAN recommends dive insurance for all divers.

Learn more at DAN.org
Hyperbaric Chamber5 km — Galapagos Hyperbaric Chamber, Puerto Ayora
Nearest Hospital5 km

Chamber on Santa Cruz; hospital on Santa Cruz and San Cristobal; air evacuation to Guayaquil (2 hrs)

Skill LevelAdvanced
Current Strengthstrong

Top Operators

Galapagos Sky Liveaboard

PADI

4.8
340 reviewsNITROX

Aggressor Galapagos Liveaboard

PADI

4.7
280 reviewsNITROX

Academy Bay Diving

SSI

4.5
420 reviewsNITROX