GALAPAGOS DIVING SITES

CAPE MARSHALL: 30' - 100'

This amazing diving site, located on the northeastern coast on Isabela Island, is relatively new for sport divers. Almost nothing has been written about this drop-off, sheer rock wall I and drift reef dive.

Caution is advised at all times while diving because of strong shore currents.

The wall, as well as the shallow reef area near the anchorage site, is magnificent.

Fish life includes hammerhead, white tip and Galapagos sharks and several species of rays, eels, large groupers and snappers.

NOTE: not suited for novice divers.

RABIDA ISLAND (Jervis Islands) 15' - 120'

Rabida's northeastern peninsula is an elongated remnant of a tuft cone, which is a popular site for snorkelers and divers because of its proximity to the sea lion beach, a site for park visitors.

The marine life found in these cool waters includes sea lions, sting rays, eagle rays, white-tip and Galapagos sharks, sea turtles, etc.

The site recommended for diving is the western side of the peninsula, which drops down to more than 100 feet.

Warm and cold layers of water (thermocline) are likely to be found during the dive. Look for large schools of small brown striped salema, which are seen sometimes on the bottom. This site is great for snorkelling.

NOTE: Beware of strong currents at the tip.

BUCCANEER COVE (James Islands): 60' - 150'

The Pinnacles

This diving and snorkelling site is located at the northwestern tip of James Bay, Santiago Island. This dive is characterized by sloping rock wall's as well as large boulders, rocks, and underwater pinnacles with many crevices ending at probably 150 feet or more.

Among the many marine species, you can find sea fans, yellow black coral, black coral, golden and spotted eagle rays, Galapagos shark, sea turtles, groupers, flag cabrillas, parrot fish and bachelor sea lions.

NOTE: This site is also great for snorkelling.

TIBURON ARRECHO (Horny Shark): 60' - 80'

Daphne Islands area

This large submarine peak rises from the sea floor and forms an underwater platform, which is as shallow as 50 feet.

This open-water dive provides the opportunity to see large fish like red-tailed and dog snappers, jacks, rainbow runners, trigger fish, and at least three kinds of rays. We also might encounter some black-tip, hammerhead, white-tip and Galapagos sharks.

Note: Several large pieces of machinery can be found in the area, probably sunken by U.S. servicemen at the end of World War II. Some large rusty drum barrels and generators are strewn around the middle of the plateau.

NORTH CHANNEL & MOSQUERA ISLET: 35'

The site is suited for all divers, but caution is advised as strong currents can convert this shallow dive into a drift dive!

On the leeward side of Mosquera Island there is a small sandbar that is the home for a large colony of sea lions.

It is the perfect place for a check-out dive or a diving test since the water is always clear and the bottom is sandy.

White-tip sharks, eagle rays, sting rays, goat fish, puffers, sea turtles and some snake eels might be observed feeding on the sandy bottom as well as free-swimming in the channel.

 

NOTE : Good site for snorkelling, close to the sandbar at a depth of 15 or 20 feet.

ROCA REDONDA ISLAND: 80 - 90'

Roca Redonda is the tip of an active volcano that rises several thousand feet from the sea floor and emerges from the water as an island.

It is located a few miles off the northwestern coast of Isabela Island. This sensational diving site is sometimes considered a difficult diving experience because of strong currents and heavy surge around the tips.

An active gas field and hot sand are found on the northeastern edge of the island. At this site you can observe sea lions, hammerhead, black-tip, white-tip, Galapagos and even whale sharks.

Other fish forms include red and dog snappers, amber jacks, pacific barracudas, tuna fish, groupers, scorpion fish, rays and several species of eels. The site is also good for snorkelling.

Note: not suited for novice divers.

GORDON ROCKS: 30' - 100'

Gordon rocks, which are close to Santa Cruz Island, off its northeastern shore, are considered to be one of the best diving sites of the central group of islands. The shape of this group of islets was created by the effects of wind and sea erosion on an old volcanic cone.

This dive is characterized by drops of more than 100 feet, shallow reefs between the rocks and a sandy area at the centre of the cone. At 90 feet you can find a colony of burrowing garden eels on the sandy bottom. There may be strong surface currents at the outer sheer rock walls of the cone. Fish life includes several kinds of sharks, sea lions, moray eels, horse conches, sea turtles, rays, large jacks groupers, snappers, etc.

NOTE : It is of little interest for snorkelling.

DEVIL'S CROWN: 20' - 60'

Onslow Island

This old eroded tuft cone is located north of Punta Cormorant, Floreana Island. On this quite popular site you will find a gentle sandy slope with large rocky boulders. Because of strong currents and wind, plus sharp lava reefs, you must be accompanied by an experienced diver when diving here.

Large and small fish such as scorpion fish, yellow-tailed grunt, surgeon fish, wrasses, some reef sharks, rays are found outside the crown. Invertebrates such as black, soft and ahermatypic white corals, small gorgonias, free-living corals are quite common on the sand and the walls of this site.

Sea lions and turtles are seen sometimes swimming inside and outside the crown.

NOTE : This site has a great snorkelling value.