Cabo Douglas
Remote Fernandina dive famous for feeding marine iguanas.
About Cabo Douglas
Cabo Douglas is a remote boat-access dive off Fernandina where shallow volcanic ledges, algae-covered rock, and surge-washed shoreline habitat create one of the Galapagos' most distinctive cold-water wildlife encounters. Divers come here for marine iguanas feeding underwater, with penguins, sea lions, turtles, rays, and reef fish sharing the same current-shaped coastline when conditions are calm enough to work the rocky edge safely.
Research Estimate At Cabo Douglas
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
Where Is Cabo Douglas?
Cabo Douglas Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
5m - 20m
Depth Note
Most planning references frame Cabo Douglas as a comparatively shallow Galapagos wall and rocky-coast dive, commonly worked from about 5 m down to around 20 m.
Best Season
Year-round, with calmer clearer stretches often more common from about December to May and cooler nutrient-rich conditions more common from June to November.
Typical Conditions
Expect cool productive water, a shallow rocky profile, and visibility that can be good by Galapagos standards but still changes with swell, plankton, and seasonal upwelling.
Safety & Access At Cabo Douglas
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Safety Notes
Cabo Douglas is usually treated as an advanced site because exposed shoreline surge and current can make entries, positioning, and exits more demanding than the modest depth profile suggests. Guides normally keep the group close to the rocky contour and adjust the route to the day's swell.
Access Restrictions
Cabo Douglas is a remote boat-only Fernandina site visited on liveaboard or expedition itineraries; there is no practical independent access.
Legal Notes
The site lies in the protected Galapagos Marine Reserve, so access is through permitted operator itineraries and protected-area rules apply.
Local Intel For Cabo Douglas
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba
Dives usually stay close to the rocky shoreline and ledges where marine iguanas feed, balancing wildlife viewing with careful buoyancy and surge awareness around the volcanic structure.
Freedive
Cabo Douglas is not a routine freedive stop because it is normally run as a guided scuba dive on remote boat itineraries with current and exposed shoreline surge.
Snorkel
Surface-only visits can be possible from organized wildlife trips in calm conditions, but Cabo Douglas is primarily planned as a guided scuba site rather than a casual snorkel stop.
Cabo Douglas Dive Conditions Planner
Use the planner to scan this week, inspect today in local time, and understand how exposure shapes conditions at Cabo Douglas.
Exposure Profile at Cabo Douglas
Directional shelter context for incoming swell.
Wildlife at Cabo Douglas
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Cabo Douglas
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
No Dive Logs Yet
Be the first to log a dive at this spot and share your experience!
Dive Spot Log Averages At Cabo Douglas
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Cabo Douglas Guide - Frequently Asked Questions
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Cabo Douglas Guide - Sources and Updates
Last Updated
Research Sources
Know this site? Improve Spot Details.


