The Ultimate Guide For Anyone Considering A Galapagos Diving Holiday
Discover the Magic of the Galapagos Islands
ocated about 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean, the Galapagos Islands are one of the most extraordinary and untouched natural wonders on Earth. This volcanic archipelago is renowned for its unique wildlife, dramatic landscapes, and rich marine biodiversity—much of which can’t be found anywhere else in the world.
Famous for inspiring Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, the Galapagos remain a living laboratory of nature, where visitors can witness giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and playful sea lions up close. But for holidaymakers, it’s not just the wildlife that makes the Galapagos special—it’s the sense of pure, remote adventure. Whether you’re exploring by land or diving into crystal-clear waters teeming with hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and turtles, every moment here feels like a step back in time to a world untouched by modern life.
From luxury liveaboards to eco-lodges, the Galapagos offer an unforgettable experience for nature lovers, divers, and those seeking a once-in-a-lifetime escape.
Why the Galapagos Islands Are a Bucket-List Destination for Divers
For scuba divers seeking the ultimate underwater adventure, the Galapagos Islands are nothing short of legendary. Located in a remote stretch of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Ecuador, this volcanic archipelago offers some of the most thrilling and biodiverse diving on the planet. The islands sit at the confluence of several major ocean currents, creating nutrient-rich waters that attract an incredible variety of marine life—many of which are found nowhere else on Earth.
Here, you can expect adrenaline-pumping drift dives, schools of hammerhead sharks, manta rays, Galapagos sharks, whale sharks (in season), and curious sea lions all in a single trip. Add in massive bait balls, marine iguanas, and the possibility of spotting mola mola or dolphins, and it’s easy to see why experienced divers consider the Galapagos one of the world’s best diving destinations.
But to truly unlock the full magic of diving in the Galapagos, there’s only one way to do it: by liveaboard.
Why Choose a Liveaboard in the Galapagos?
The most spectacular and iconic dive sites such as Darwin and Wolf Islands are remote and inaccessible to day boats. Liveaboards are the only way to reach these world-class locations, giving you exclusive access to areas few people will ever see. You’ll spend more time diving and less time travelling, with multiple dives per day and the ability to visit a wider range of dive sites across the archipelago.
Onboard, everything is taken care of – meals, equipment, expert guides, and all logistics so you can focus purely on the experience. Plus, you’ll be surrounded by like-minded divers, creating a shared sense of adventure and community.
If you’re looking for unforgettable big animal encounters, unspoiled natural beauty, and diving that will genuinely change the way you see the ocean, a Galapagos liveaboard is not just recommended – it’s essential.
Liveaboard itineraries also include land based tours, so you won’t miss out of the wildlife above water!
Main Dive Sites of the Galápagos – Liveaboard Highlights
The Galápagos Islands are one of the world’s most sought-after liveaboard diving destinations, famed for their remote, pristine waters and extraordinary marine life encounters. Most liveaboard itineraries focus on the northern islands of Wolf and Darwin, complemented by dives around Cousins Rock, Punta Vicente Roca, and other key sites.
What Makes Galápagos Diving Special?
Diving in the Galápagos means drifting in nutrient-rich waters where the Pacific’s major currents converge, bringing in an extraordinary mix of tropical and cold-water species. Expect heart-pounding big animal encounters alongside unusual endemic creatures you won’t see anywhere else on Earth.
Here’s what makes each location unforgettable:
1. Darwin Island & Darwin’s Arch
Often considered the crown jewel of Galápagos diving, Darwin Island is only accessible by liveaboard. While the famous Darwin’s Arch collapsed in 2021, the underwater scenery remains world-class. Expect to see:
- Massive schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks
- Galápagos sharks, silky sharks, and the occasional tiger shark
- Whale sharks (best between June and November)
- Playful dolphins and occasional orcas
- Giant schools of jacks, tuna, and barracuda
Strong currents and open-ocean conditions make this an adrenaline-filled drift dive.
2. Wolf Island
Wolf Island rivals Darwin for big animal encounters and is another liveaboard-only site. Here, you’ll find:
- Hammerhead sharks in huge schools
- Galápagos sharks cruising the blue
- Large moray eels hunting among rocky ledges
- Eagle rays, manta rays, and turtles
- Dense clouds of reef fish
Night dives here can reveal hunting morays and whitetip reef sharks swarming the shallows.
3. Punta Vicente Roca (Isabela Island)
On the western side of Isabela, this site offers a change of pace from the shark-filled northern islands. Located where the cold Cromwell Current meets tropical waters, you can expect:
- Mola mola (oceanic sunfish) sightings in cooler months
- Galápagos penguins darting through the water
- Flightless cormorants and marine iguanas feeding underwater
- Seahorses, frogfish, and nudibranchs in sheltered areas
This is often a cold-water dive with limited sunlight but incredible biodiversity.
4. Cousins Rock (Near Santiago Island)
A picturesque volcanic cone rising from the sea, Cousins Rock is well known for macro life and scenic underwater topography. Divers can encounter:
- Seahorses clinging to black coral
- Barracuda, reef sharks, and sea lions
- Spotted eagle rays gliding past
- Colourful sponges and soft corals in the shallows
This site offers great opportunities for photography with its dramatic wall and ledge formations.
5. Roca Redonda (Isabela Island)
Roca Redonda, an exposed volcanic pinnacle, offers adventurous diving with unique geothermal features:
- Streams of volcanic bubbles rising from the seabed
- Galápagos sharks and schools of barracuda
- Tuna and wahoo in open water
The site is prone to strong currents and swells, making it a thrilling choice for experienced divers.
How Experienced Do You Have To Be To Dive The Galapagos By Liveaboard?
Diving the Galápagos Islands is truly a bucket-list adventure, but it’s best suited to experienced divers with solid skills in strong currents, surge, and blue-water drift diving. Most liveaboards in the Galápagos require divers to hold at least an Advanced Open Water certification and have 50–100 logged dives, with recent experience in similar conditions. The remote northern islands of Wolf and Darwin, in particular, can present challenging conditions such as cold thermoclines, changeable visibility, and powerful currents – but for confident, seasoned divers, these same factors bring in the incredible marine life encounters the Galápagos is famous for.
What to Expect from Galápagos Diving Conditions
Diving in the Galápagos is thrilling, unpredictable, and unlike anywhere else in the world. The islands sit at the meeting point of several major ocean currents, creating nutrient-rich waters that attract huge numbers of sharks, rays, and other pelagic species – but these same currents can make for challenging conditions.
- Currents & Surge – Expect moderate to strong currents, often requiring negative entries and drift diving techniques. Surge can be noticeable in shallower areas, especially near rocky outcrops.
- Water Temperatures – Ranging from 16°C to 28°C (60°F to 82°F) depending on the season and location. Cold-water upwellings and thermoclines are common, so a 7mm wetsuit or drysuit is recommended for cooler months.
- Visibility – Highly variable, from crystal-clear 30m+ to nutrient-rich green water with just 5–10m, depending on the site and season.
- Surface Conditions – The Galápagos is a remote, open-ocean destination. Swells, choppy seas, and long boat rides between sites are part of the adventure.
- Wildlife Encounters – Conditions can change in minutes, but with them come some of the most extraordinary sightings on the planet – from schooling hammerheads and whale sharks to playful sea lions and penguins.
Diving here is rewarding for those ready for the challenge, offering unforgettable encounters in one of the last truly wild marine frontiers.
We would generally say that if you can comfortably do drift dives in the UK, Maldives and Red Sea’s outer reefs, and listen to the diving briefings, then you should be fine.
Get The Most Out Of Your Galapagos Holiday
- Most feedback we receive from customers is that you see nearly all the land based wildlife during your liveaboard. So if you were thinking of extending your holiday, many prefer to stop in South America instead
- What wetsuit to wear? Due to the different currents all converging in the Galapagos, there is quite a difference in temperature between the dive sites. Our advice is to get a good quality semi-dry suit, a 7mm with a shortie to put over the top on the colder dive sites. A dry suit can be worn if you can be bothered to carry it in your luggage and don it on every dive. Check out our range of wetsuits.
- Tipping: Due to the high number of US visitors, the guides will recommend that you give them a 10% cost of the liveaboard as a tip. They are paid reasonably well, so unless you are a wealthy banker just give them what you feel is reasonable and affordable
- It is better to own your own dive gear, but if you don’t the certainly have your own mask, SMB/reel and dive computer that you are familiar with.
- If you haven’t dived in a while make sure you do a PADI ReActivate refresher course before you leave.
- Be a minimum of Advanced Open Water diver.
Why Choose Oyster Diving for Your Galápagos Adventure?
At Oyster Diving, we hand-pick only the most reputable Galápagos liveaboards with experienced dive guides, comfortable accommodation, and itineraries that maximise your chances of once-in-a-lifetime encounters. We’ll take care of every detail – from flights and park permits to pre-trip training – so all you have to do is bring your camera, your dive gear, and your sense of adventure.
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Useful links:
https://galapagosconservation.org.uk/
https://www.galapagoswhaleshark.org/
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