Diving in Galapagos

Quick Facts

  • Entry types: Mostly shore entries
  • Expect: Varies by conditions visibility
  • Highlights: Discover Galapagos's dive spots

Explore the underwater wonders of Galapagos, province. This region features 19 documented dive spots, each offering unique underwater experiences. Whether you're seeking calm snorkeling bays, challenging freediving depths, or exciting scuba adventures, Galapagos has something for every underwater explorer. Browse detailed spot information, check current conditions from recent dive logs, and connect with the local diving community to make the most of your visit.

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Dive Spots
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Countries
province
Region Type

Regional Context

🌍 Associated Countries

Countries that share waters with this province:

Countries in Galapagos (1)

Sub-regions in Galapagos (4)

Popular Spots in Galapagos (19)

Alcyone, Cocos Island

Alcyone is an underwater mountain located off Cocos Island, characterized by strong to very strong currents. Divers will need to descend using a rope, reaching a maximum depth of 30 meters. This site is known for its frequent sightings of large schools of hammerhead sharks, typically numbering between 150 to 200 individuals. Additionally, dolphins and Galapagos sharks are commonly observed, along with the presence of large marble rays. Due to the challenging conditions, this dive site is recommended for experienced divers only.

Tropical East PacificCocos Islands
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Cabo Douglas Qn9Z

Cabo Douglas Qn9Z is a drift dive site located off Fernandina Island in the Galapagos. You can see marine life such as Galapagos marine iguanas, penguins, sea turtles, yellow boxfish, parrotfish, amberjacks, and groupers. The dive reaches a maximum depth of 22 meters (72 feet) and features various corals, sponges, and gorgonians. Strong currents make it suitable for experienced divers only.

GalapagosWestern Galapagos Islands
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Cabo Douglas Qn9Z

Cabo Douglas Qn9Z is a drift dive site located off Fernandina Island in the Galapagos. You can see marine life such as Galapagos marine iguanas, penguins, sea turtles, yellow boxfish, parrotfish, amberjacks, and groupers. The dive reaches a maximum depth of 22 meters (72 feet) and features various corals, sponges, and gorgonians. Strong currents make it suitable for experienced divers only.

GalapagosWestern Galapagos Islands
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Cape Marshall 71P8

Cape Marshall is a wall dive site located off the northeastern coast of Isabela Island, Galapagos. It features a drift dive along the wall with depths ranging from 25 meters to a maximum of 40 meters. Marine life includes giant manta rays and sea lions, with optimal diving conditions from January to May when water temperatures are higher.

GalapagosEastern Galapagos Islands
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Cape Marshall 71P8

Cape Marshall is a wall dive site located off the northeastern coast of Isabela Island, Galapagos. It features a drift dive along the wall with depths ranging from 25 meters to a maximum of 40 meters. Marine life includes giant manta rays and sea lions, with optimal diving conditions from January to May when water temperatures are higher.

GalapagosEastern Galapagos Islands
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Cousins Rock Gzmz

Cousins Rock features a prominent rock formation above water, populated by sea lions, penguins, and various seabirds. Underwater, the rock walls host diverse marine life, including rays, green sea turtles, nudibranchs, and Galapagos seahorses, with opportunities to see hammerhead and Galapagos sharks in the surrounding waters. The dive site typically reaches depths of 20 to 30 meters.

GalapagosEastern Galapagos Islands
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Cousins Rock Gzmz

Cousins Rock features a prominent rock formation above water, populated by sea lions, penguins, and various seabirds. Underwater, the rock walls host diverse marine life, including rays, green sea turtles, nudibranchs, and Galapagos seahorses, with opportunities to see hammerhead and Galapagos sharks in the surrounding waters. The dive site typically reaches depths of 20 to 30 meters.

GalapagosEastern Galapagos Islands
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Darwins Arch Roey

Darwin's Arch dive site off Darwin Island features depths ranging from 9 to over 40 meters, with visibility between 10 to 20 meters. Divers can expect to see large schools of fish, especially at a nearby site called The Theatre, where the depth is around 15 meters. The current can be moderate to very strong, making this a suitable site for experienced divers only.

GalapagosNorthern Galapagos Islands
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Darwins Arch Roey

Darwin's Arch dive site off Darwin Island features depths ranging from 9 to over 40 meters, with visibility between 10 to 20 meters. Divers can expect to see large schools of fish, especially at a nearby site called The Theatre, where the depth is around 15 meters. The current can be moderate to very strong, making this a suitable site for experienced divers only.

GalapagosNorthern Galapagos Islands
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Dirty Rock

Dirty Rock, located off Costa Rica's Cocos Island, is an advanced dive site with depths ranging from 10 to 35 meters and visibility exceeding 30 meters. Divers can encounter schools of hammerhead sharks, horse-eyed jacks, turtles, eagle rays, and reef sharks. Due to strong currents, this site is recommended for experienced divers only.

Tropical East PacificCocos Islands
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Gordon Rocks Lxr7

Gordon Rocks is a dive site located in the Galapagos Islands, featuring an eroded volcanic crater with three pinnacles and a central pinnacle. Depth ranges from 5 to 40 meters, providing opportunities to see black coral gardens, various shark species, and other marine life.

GalapagosEastern Galapagos Islands
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Gordon Rocks Lxr7

Gordon Rocks is a dive site located in the Galapagos Islands, featuring an eroded volcanic crater with three pinnacles and a central pinnacle. Depth ranges from 5 to 40 meters, providing opportunities to see black coral gardens, various shark species, and other marine life.

GalapagosEastern Galapagos Islands
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Manuelita Coral Garden

Manuelita Coral Garden is a hard coral reef system located off Chatham Bay, with a maximum depth of 21 meters (70 feet). The area hosts a variety of marine life, including eels, lobsters, marbled rays, blacktip sharks, whitetip sharks, and hammerheads. The site is protected from strong currents, making it accessible for divers of all levels, especially during the high season from December to April.

Tropical East PacificCocos Islands
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Mosquera Islet Q7Zk

Mosquera Islet is located between Seymour and Baltra Island with a maximum depth of 18 meters (60 feet). Divers can observe a variety of marine life, including garden eels, stingrays, eagle rays, mobula rays, sea turtles, barracudas, white tip reef sharks, and sea lions. The site offers good visibility and mild currents, making it suitable for all divers.

GalapagosEastern Galapagos Islands
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Mosquera Islet Q7Zk

Mosquera Islet is located between Seymour and Baltra Island with a maximum depth of 18 meters (60 feet). Divers can observe a variety of marine life, including garden eels, stingrays, eagle rays, mobula rays, sea turtles, barracudas, white tip reef sharks, and sea lions. The site offers good visibility and mild currents, making it suitable for all divers.

GalapagosEastern Galapagos Islands
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Punta Vicente Roca 5Qyq

Punta Vicente Roca is located off the west coast of Isabela Island, featuring depths suitable for various levels of divers. Expect to see marine life such as Galapagos flightless cormorants, penguins, marine iguanas, and common species like wrasses, sunfish, and reef sharks. This site is accessible by boat, approximately 200 kilometers from the nearest inhabited area.

GalapagosWestern Galapagos Islands
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Punta Vicente Roca 5Qyq

Punta Vicente Roca is located off the west coast of Isabela Island, featuring depths suitable for various levels of divers. Expect to see marine life such as Galapagos flightless cormorants, penguins, marine iguanas, and common species like wrasses, sunfish, and reef sharks. This site is accessible by boat, approximately 200 kilometers from the nearest inhabited area.

GalapagosWestern Galapagos Islands
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Roca Redonda

Roca Redonda is a dive site off the northwest tip of Isabela Island, featuring fumaroles from volcanic activity. The site has cold water temperatures due to the Cromwell current, requiring full exposure protection. Marine life includes sea lions, scalloped hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, manta rays, barracudas, and jacks.

GalapagosWestern Galapagos Islands
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Roca Redonda

Roca Redonda is a dive site off the northwest tip of Isabela Island, featuring fumaroles from volcanic activity. The site has cold water temperatures due to the Cromwell current, requiring full exposure protection. Marine life includes sea lions, scalloped hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, manta rays, barracudas, and jacks.

GalapagosWestern Galapagos Islands
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best dive spots in Galapagos?
Galapagos features several excellent dive spots, each with unique characteristics. Popular sites are listed on this page with ratings and recent activity. Consider factors like your skill level, interests (macro, wide-angle, wrecks), and current conditions when choosing spots.
What's the best entry method for diving in Galapagos?
Entry methods in Galapagos vary by specific location. Many spots offer shore entry from beaches or rocky areas, while others require boat access. Check individual spot details for entry information and any special requirements.
What conditions and water temperature can I expect in Galapagos?
Galapagos's diving conditions depend on season and specific location. Water temperatures, visibility, and currents can vary significantly. Review recent dive logs and seasonal patterns for the most current conditions information.
Are there any local dive shops or services in Galapagos?
Galapagos may have local dive shops offering equipment rental, guided dives, and courses. Check our dive shop directory for verified operators in the area, or ask the local diving community for recommendations.