The Galapagos Islands are famed with having some of the world’s best diving spots for a great number of reasons, including their position close to the equator and at the convergence of cold and warm currents. This set of temperatures, climates and conditions bring together a diverse range of creatures from across the animal kingdom, including a whole host of endemic and indigenous species found exclusively on the islands. Most advantaged by the unique location of Ecuador’s Galapagos Archipelago is of course the marine life, where hundreds of species from all swims of life are coexisting in some quite spectacular landscapes and habitats, creating a range of the most majestic diving holidays available today.

The world’s second largest marine reserve is also a World Heritage Listed Site, consisting of fifteen main islands, three smaller islands and over 100 rocks & islets. As the planet’s only place to inhabit penguins, flamingos, tropical and subtropical fish all in one fantastic natural haven - it’s easy to see the inspiration that drove the great Charles Darwin to perfect his ground-breaking Theory of Evolution on his famous visit over 150 years ago.

Although the Galapagos can be fairly tricky to actually get to, the lengthy trip is without any doubt worth the effort, as the stunning underwater offering of the world-famous ‘land of discovery’ would simply take your breath away… if you didn’t have a whole tank of it on your back.

Covering a distance of over 45'000 km², the oceans surrounding the magnificent Galapagos Islands provide a truly immense amount of diving possibilities. Whilst the land based holidays can be a spectacle of wildlife and wonderful scenery the chance of soem diving, a Galapagos liveaboard is the only way to make the longer sea crossings, in particular to the remote islands of Wolf & Darwin.

We highly recommend adding an extension to your liveaboard safari. You might like to extend your stay in the Galapagos islands with Landbased accommodation and activities including kayaking, mountain biking, hiking and bid watching. Alternatively stay on mainland Ecuador experience the Andes and the Avenue of the Volcanoes or stay in an Amazon Lodge or try some white water rafting. While in South America we can take you down to Peru to trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

One of our specialists will be happy to advise on extending your holiday and can provide you information on land tour options to make this a holiday to remember.

Diving the Galapagos Islands is one of the most exilerating diving experiences you can have. Dive with the playful Sea Lions, the thrill of catching a glimpse of Hammerhead Sharks, Whale Sharks, and hunting packs of Tuna. The Galapagos Islands' underwater topography is so imporessive, sites like picturesque Darwin Arch.

Galapagos Liveabaords sail out of either Baltra or San Cristobal which both have airports with domestic flights from the Ecuadorian mainland. To be in compliance with the Galapagos National Park regulations requires boats with Liveaboard dive permits follow an exact itinerary. A maximum of four dives are offered daily; two in the morning and two in the afternoon. In addition, two night dives and two land excursions per week are also available. These permits also allow just a handful of boats to dive Wolf & Darwin islands

Darwin’s Arch 

Located less than a kilometre from Darwin Island the impressive 15 m (50 ft) lava arch is one of the most unique and enjoyable places to dive at the islands, as the fast descent in current forces you to grab onto the rocks below and become an intrigued spectator to the show of what comes flying past.

Wolf Island

The extinct volcano is fascinating both above and below sea level, with some wonderful schools of marine life and a sea bed reaching a maximum depth of 253 M (830 ft). With a host of great dive sites like The Pinnacle, Shark Bay and Landslide, the high chance of seeing Hammerhead Sharks, Galapagos Sharks and even the elusive Whale Shark on Wolf Island make it definitely worth a dive… or three.

For more detail about Galapagos diving and Galapagos dive seasons visit our Ecuador Galapagos destination page Ecuador Galapagos Dive Holidays