Plongée à Isla de la Plata — Ecuador

Isla de la Plata is dubbed the 'Poor Man's Galápagos' — blue-footed boobies nest above while manta rays and sea turtles cruise below. Humpback whales migrate through from June to October, and the combination of marine and bird life rivals much more expensive destinations at a fraction of the cost.

Score
56.0
Visibilité
5–15m
Température
20–26°C
Meilleurs mois
June, July, August
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World Class
Intermediate
Isla de la Plata
EcuadorSouth America
56.0

SCORE

-1.2667°N

-81.0667°E

Isla de la Plata is dubbed the 'Poor Man's Galápagos' — blue-footed boobies nest above while manta rays and sea turtles cruise below. Humpback whales migrate through from June to October, and the combination of marine and bird life rivals much more expensive destinations at a fraction of the cost.

Ecuador's Poor Man's Galápagos

Visibility5–15 m
Temperature20–26°C
Max Depth24 m
Currentmoderate
2-Tank Dive$70
Best MonthsJune, July, August, September
CertificationOpen WaterIntermediate

Score Breakdown

Click any score to see a detailed breakdown

ML72.0CH32.0VIS53.0SV25.0TMP58.0DA51.0OP73.0TS64.0GT68.0VAL60.0CRD57.0SP54.0

Marine Life

72.0

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

Species Diversity
80
Megafauna Encounters
100
Reef Fish Abundance
90
Macro Life
0
Endemic Species
45
Marine Life Diversity
72.0
Coral & Reef Health
32.0
Visibility & Conditions
53.0
Dive Site Variety
25.0
Water Temperature
58.0
Depth & Access
51.0
Operator Quality
73.0
Topside Experience
64.0
Getting There
68.0
Value & Cost
60.0
Crowding
57.0
Social Proof
54.0

Traveling with Non-Divers?

Your non-diving travel companions will find plenty to enjoy topside while you're underwater. Here are some activities to consider.

Activities for Non-Divers

blue-footed booby spottinghumpback whale watching (Jun-Oct)snorkelingPuerto Lopez fishing village diningMachalilla National Park hiking

Nearby Cultural Sites

  • Machalilla National Park
  • Agua Blanca archaeological site

Non-Diver Score

7/10

Good topside options for non-diving companions.

Family FriendlyYes
Restaurants & Nightlifebasic

Safety & Emergency

Dive Insurance

DAN recommends dive insurance for all divers.

Learn more at DAN.org
Hyperbaric Chamber200 km — Hospital chamber in Guayaquil
Nearest Hospital10 km

Basic hospital in Puerto Lopez; larger facilities in Manta (1 hr) or Guayaquil (3 hrs)

Skill LevelIntermediate
Current Strengthmoderate

Top Operators

Exploramar Diving

PADI

4.6
100 reviews