Galapagos Diving Cruise

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Upon arrival and passing through immigration, our guide will greet you at the Arrivals lounge and accompany you to the transfer vehicle for a brief journey to your awaiting ship. San Cristobal, housing the official capital Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, boasts one of the archipelago's two airports conveniently located within walking distance of town—just a 15-minute stroll from the terminal. Once onboard, you'll meet the crew, attend a welcome briefing, and participate in an important safety drill before settling into your cabin. Enjoy a well-deserved lunch as the captain sets sail, marking the start of your adventure. If you're already on San Cristóbal and wish to join the group there, please let us know—transfers from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno are smooth and trouble-free.

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Lobos Island is famous in the Galápagos for observing young sea lions, trumpet fish, and blue-footed boobies. Named after the Galápagos Sea Lion colony that lives here, this small island is also inhabited by various other native species. In the nearby waters, you may encounter fur seals, blue-footed boobies hunting for fish, trumpet fish, green turtles, rays, and white-tip reef sharks. With luck, you might even spot marine iguanas, although they are less common in this region.

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Bartholomew, known locally as Bartolomé, is a highly popular destination among Galápagos visitors, boasting iconic scenery that is widely photographed across the archipelago. Upon arrival at the small bay opposite Pinnacle Rock, you will commence the ascent to Bartholomew's 375-foot peak via a half-mile trail fitted with wooden steps constructed by the National Park Service to protect the area from erosion caused by hikers. The panoramic vistas from the summit are awe-inspiring, with your knowledgeable guide identifying landmarks like Pinnacle Rock, Sullivan Bay's expansive black lava flows, and the islands of Daphne Major and Daphne Minor. As you descend, you'll encounter various volcanic formations such as tuff cones and volcanic spatter, along with intriguing examples of species adaptation, like bushes adorned with unique grey hairs to withstand the harsh sun and reduce moisture loss. Snorkeling at the beach upon return is exceptional due to underwater caves and rocks, providing opportunities to spot sharks, rays, tropical fish, and potentially Galápagos Penguins swimming alongside you.

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This renowned diving location is celebrated for its abundant marine life, attracting experienced divers from around the world. Depths range from 10 to 90 feet, with visibility varying between 30 to 60 feet depending on the season. Moderate currents and surges are typical in shallower areas. Below the surface, you'll encounter sloping rock plate formations and an impressive wall descending into the depths. These rocky structures serve as habitats for seahorses, Galápagos black coral, octopus, a variety of tropical fish, as well as Galápagos sharks and hammerheads. Additionally, friendly sea lions often join divers for playful interactions, and graceful green turtles can be seen cruising nearby. This dive site truly offers an exceptional underwater experience.

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El Derrumbe is renowned as the premier diving spot in the Galápagos for observing Hammerhead and Galápagos Sharks. Visitors have also spotted whale sharks here, along with a diverse array of fish, rays, turtles, marine mammals, and other iconic Galápagos creatures.

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Shark Bay at Wolf Island is famous as one of the top dive locations in the Galápagos Islands for encountering Hammerhead and Galápagos Sharks. Whale sharks have also been sighted here, along with a diverse variety of fish, rays, turtles, marine mammals, and other iconic Galápagos wildlife.

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Darwin's Towers (formerly Darwin's Arch) is widely recognized as one of the world's top diving locations, situated off the southeast tip of Darwin Island. This underwater paradise is famous for its extensive gatherings of hammerhead and Galápagos sharks, along with frequent sightings of whale sharks and majestic manta rays. Other common encounters include green turtles, dolphins, large schools of fish, and various shark species. Despite the collapse of the iconic arch in 2021, the area remains a spectacular destination for divers. Many experienced divers with over 1000 logged dives have described it as the ultimate diving site of their lives. If you have specific species you're keen to encounter during your dive, reach out to the Galápagos specialists to arrange a customized dive itinerary tailored to your preferences.

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Darwin Island, originally named Culpepper Island, was renamed in honor of the renowned naturalist Charles Darwin. It is widely considered one of the most exceptional underwater environments on the planet. Located as the northernmost island in the Galápagos, Darwin Island is situated over 100 miles northwest of Isabela and forms part of the most remote region of the archipelago along with its neighboring island, Wolf Island. These islands are the peaks of enormous, long-extinct underwater volcanoes that rise up over half a mile from the ocean floor below.

Darwin and Wolf Islands are renowned for attracting large schools of hammerhead sharks, the reasons for which scientists still do not fully understand. Diving in this area offers breathtaking experiences, with potential sightings including hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, rays, green turtles, and a diverse range of tropical reef fish. If you have specific species you are eager to encounter during your dive, please reach out to one of the Galápagos experts for personalized guidance on crafting the ideal dive itinerary to match your preferences.

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Darwin Island, originally named Culpepper Island, was renamed to honor the renowned naturalist. It is widely recognized as one of the most extraordinary underwater habitats globally. Situated as the northernmost island in the Galápagos, Darwin Island is located over 100 miles northwest of Isabela and forms part of the most remote region of the archipelago along with its neighbor, Wolf Island.

Darwin and Wolf Islands are celebrated for attracting large schools of hammerhead sharks, the reasons for which scientists still do not fully understand. These islands are the peaks of massive, long-extinct undersea volcanoes that rise up over half a mile from the seafloor below. Diving in this area promises remarkable experiences, with potential encounters including hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, rays, green turtles, and a diverse array of tropical reef fish.

If you have specific species you are keen to see during your dive, please contact one of the Galápagos experts today. We can offer personalized advice on crafting the best dive itinerary tailored to your preferences.

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Shark Bay at Wolf Island is renowned as one of the top diving spots in the Galápagos Islands for observing Hammerhead and Galápagos Sharks. Visitors have also observed whale sharks here, along with a diverse array of fish, rays, turtles, marine mammals, and other iconic Galápagos wildlife.

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Diving at Cape Douglas on the western coast of Isabela Island presents a unique opportunity to encounter a diverse array of marine life, both above and below the water's surface. While preparing for your dive, you can observe distinct species such as Galápagos Flightless Cormorants, Galápagos Penguins, and Galápagos Marine Iguanas—creatures found exclusively in this archipelago. Upon entering the water, you may witness the impressive swimming abilities of marine iguanas, especially the larger males feeding on rocks beneath the surface.

In addition to these species, you may come across Red-lipped Batfish, Horn Sharks, Mola Mola, and occasionally Baleen Whales gracefully gliding through the water. If you have specific species you are eager to encounter, please reach out to one of the Galápagos experts who can assist you in selecting a personalized itinerary tailored to your preferences.

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Vicente Rock Point consistently receives high praise from visitors as one of the premier snorkeling and SCUBA diving sites in the Galápagos, and possibly globally! This location does not have a landing spot, so snorkeling is directly from the boats. The scenery surrounding the Point is stunning, with the remnants of two ancient volcanoes shaping the formation and cliffs and caves providing a striking backdrop.

The bay is sheltered from ocean swells, making it perfect for snorkelers of all skill levels. Cold-water currents bring an abundance of food to the waters, often resulting in feeding frenzies where groups of whales, dolphins, Galápagos Sea Lions, tuna, Blue-footed Boobies, and other marine birds gather—an incredible spectacle to witness.

Many tours also offer a panga ride along the shore, allowing visitors to explore caves and encounter other species like Galápagos Flightless Cormorants and a small colony of Galápagos Fur Seals.

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Pinzon Island derives its name from the brothers who commanded the renowned ships Pinta and Nina during Christopher Columbus's voyage to the New World. This petite island is encircled by deep waters, which have separated its species from those of the rest of the Galápagos for millennia. Nonetheless, this isolation enhances its appeal as a superb dive destination.

Beginner divers will find ideal conditions in the serene bay, offering opportunities to interact with friendly sea lions and observe graceful green turtles. You'll encounter a variety of tropical fish, including Red-Lipped Batfish. Experienced divers can venture to the deep drop-off wall, where sightings of various shark species, manta rays, stingrays, lobsters, and even seahorses are common.

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Puerto Ayora is a lively town that acts as a central hub in the Galápagos Islands. While it's the largest town in the archipelago, it's not the capital (that honor belongs to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristóbal Island). Here, you'll see local merchants bustling with ship loading and unloading, and you can easily hop on a water-taxi to Playa Alemanes/Las Grietas or visit the lovely hotels Angermeyer Waterfront Inn and Finch Bay. Puerto Ayora is also a departure point for various cruises.

You're likely to encounter sea lions lounging on the pier benches, which are meant for tourists but are often claimed by these playful creatures. In the Galápagos, sea lions often ignore these rules!

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The Gianny Arismendi Galápagos Interpretation Center in San Cristóbal, Galápagos, strives to present a detailed history of the islands and provide visitors with a deeper insight into the unique habitats and wildlife found here. The center showcases exhibits that delve into the human history of the Galápagos, emphasizing conservation initiatives aimed at safeguarding the archipelago and addressing the impacts of human activity. Additionally, there is a comprehensive exhibit on the volcanic origins of the Galápagos and its impact on the current habitats.

Your knowledgeable guide will be on hand to answer any further questions you may have following your visit to the center, bridging the information you gather there with the experiences you'll encounter during your Galápagos adventure.

As your journey concludes, it's time for the brief trip to the airport for your flight back to mainland Ecuador. Your guide, who has been with you throughout your adventure, will escort you to the departures area, offering one final chance to benefit from their exceptional local knowledge and extensive experience.

Please let us know if you wish to prolong your stay in the Galápagos after your cruise. We can readily organize transfers from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno to the airport and back, enabling you to further explore this extraordinary destination.