Animal highlights in paradise!
The famous island world of the Galapagos National Park is synonymous with special animal species, the theory of evolution and untouched nature. Dreams come true here, even under water. Swimming with sea lions, snorkeling with penguins and diving with hammerhead sharks are just a few of the highlights of these extraordinary islands. Here you can drift with sea turtles, watch marine iguanas feeding, admire manta rays, eagle rays and cownose rays and even see mola molas and whale sharks on liveaboards. Whether you are a diver or like to snorkel, the underwater world of Galapagos will take you on a fantastic journey of discovery. Around fifteen different Galapagos Islands offer certified diving and snorkeling sites that are worth exploring. Immerse yourself in one of the most beautiful paradises on earth and follow AGE™ on an adventurous journey.
active holiday • South America • Ecuador • Galapagos • Snorkeling and diving in Galapagos • Galapagos underwater
Snorkeling in the Galapagos
Galapagos Islands - Snorkel on your own
On the inhabited islands, you can occasionally snorkel on your own, provided you bring your equipment. The beaches of Isabela and the public snorkeling spot Concha de Perla are nice excursion destinations. Also the coast of San Cristobal offers variety and a rich wildlife. on Floreana you can snorkel at Black Beach. Santa Cruz, on the other hand, has public bathing areas, but is less suitable for a private snorkeling experience.
Galapagos Islands - Snorkel tours
On day trips to uninhabited islands like North Seymour, Santa Fe, Bartholomew or espanola In addition to going ashore, a snorkeling stop is always included. This is often a great opportunity to Swimming with sea lions. Pure snorkeling trips are offered, for example, to the island of Pinzon, to Kicker Rock and to Los Tuneles. Of the Kicker rock is a great backdrop with sea turtles and the special feeling of snorkeling in the Deep Blue. On a clear day, you can even spot hammerhead sharks while snorkeling. the tunnels In addition to lava formations, it also has whitetip reef sharks and seahorses to offer. In addition, you can often do this here Watch sea turtles.
Dive sites in the Galapagos
Galapagos Islands - Diving for beginners
The coastal diving areas of the islands North Seymour, San Cristobal and espanola are also suitable for beginners. These dive sites are protected and therefore offer calm waters. All three locations offer divers a rich fish world as well as good chances for white tip reef sharks and that Swimming with sea lions. Espanola also has small rock caverns to explore. The maximum diving depth is only 15 to 18 meters. That too Shipwreck on the north coast of San Cristobal is suitable for beginners. The already badly crumbled and overgrown boat is a bizarre sight. The calm waters of San Cristobal are great for your first diving course. Beginners can even take part in a night dive in the harbor basin of San Cristobal. Here you have a good chance of meeting sea lions and young reef sharks in the light of the flashlight.
Galapagos Islands - Advanced diving
Known dive sites for Diving with sharks like Kicker Rock (Leon Dormido) and Gordon rock are only recommended for advanced users. An Open Water Diver license is sufficient, but you should have logged a few dives and have experience. Both dive sites offer good chances of spotting hammerhead sharks and are therefore very popular with divers. It is also possible to see Galapagos sharks, rays and sea turtles, for example. Kicker Rock is off the coast of San Cristobal. As part of a day tour, steep wall diving in the deep blue and diving in the flow channel between the two rocks is possible here. Both require experience. Gordon Rock is approached from Santa Cruz. The dive takes place in open water and between the rock islands. Depending on the weather, the diving spot is known for stronger currents.
Galapagos Islands - Diving for experienced
Diving cruises to the remote islands Wolf and Darwin are still an insider tip among divers. These islands can be explored on a liveaboard safari. Most diving ships require a certification as an Advanced Open Water Diver and, in addition, proof of 30 to 50 dives in the logbook. Experience with drift diving, drift dives and wall diving is important. The diving depth is usually only about 20 meters, as most of the animals stay there. Dives to a depth of 30 meters are also rarely carried out. Wolf and Darwin are known for their large schools of hammerhead sharks and there is also a chance to meet whale sharks in the fall. If your ship is also the dive site Vincent de Roca starts at Isabela's, then with a little luck you can see a mola mola.
active holiday • South America • Ecuador • Galapagos • Snorkeling and diving in Galapagos • Galapagos underwater
The PADI diving school Wreck Diving is located on the Galapagos island of San Cristobal near the harbor. Wreck Diving offers day trips including lunch for divers, snorkelers and explorers. Experienced divers can look forward to the well-known Kicker Rock with steep wall diving in the deep blue and good chances for hammerhead sharks. Novice divers can complete their diving license (OWD) offshore among friendly sea lions. The trip to the uninhabited neighboring island espanola offers a great combination of shore leave & snorkeling or diving. Wreck Diving was super reliable! The excursions even took place for small groups and the crew was always highly motivated. A dive computer was available for each diver and included in the rental equipment. We had a wildlife-rich and exciting time underwater as well as above water and enjoyed the friendly atmosphere on board.
The Motor sailor Samba offers Galapagos cruises of 1-2 weeks. Due to the small group size (14 people) and the particularly rich daily program (active several times a day: eg hiking, snorkeling, exploratory trips with the dinghy, kayak tours), the Samba clearly stands out from other providers. The ship belongs to a local family and the cordial crew was also staffed with locals. Unfortunately, scuba diving is not possible on the Samba, but 1-2 snorkeling trips are planned every day. All equipment (e.g. mask, snorkel, wetsuit, kayak, stand up paddle board) was included in the price. We were able to snorkel with sea lions, fur seals, hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, marine iguanas and penguins, among others. The focus of the Samba is clearly on the holistic experience of the Galapagos Islands: underwater and above water. We loved it.
Snorkeling & diving experiences in Galapagos
A special experience!
Animal kingdom, original and breathtaking. Those who want to see large marine animals such as sea lions, turtles and sharks will find the destination of their dreams in the Galapagos. The interaction with the wildlife of the Galapagos is hard to beat.
How much does snorkeling and diving cost in Galapagos?
Snorkeling tours start at $120 and some scuba diving starts at $150. Please note possible changes and clarify the current conditions personally with your provider in advance. Prices as a guide. Price increases and special offers possible. Status 2021.
Diving conditions in the Galapagos
What is the water temperature in Galapagos?
During the rainy season (January to May) the water is pleasantly warm at around 26 ° C. Wetsuits with 3 to 5mm are suitable. In the dry season (June to December) the water temperature drops to 22 ° C. Short snorkeling trips in sheltered bays are still possible in swimwear, but wetsuits are recommended for longer snorkeling tours. For diving, suits with 7mm are appropriate, as the water still cools down below. The waters at Fernandina and on the back of Isabela are also colder than the rest of the archipelago due to the Humboldt Current. You should keep this in mind when planning.
What is the usual underwater visibility?
In the Galapagos, visibility is around 12-15 meters on average. On bad days the visibility is about 7 meters. Then the turbulence in the ground or layers of water with a sudden change in temperature make the conditions more difficult. On good days with calm seas and sunshine, visibility of over 20 meters is possible.
Are there any dangers in the water?
When stepping onto the seabed, keep an eye out for stingrays and sea urchins. Marine iguanas are pure algae eaters and completely harmless. Depending on the diving area, it is important to pay attention to currents and to regularly check the diving depth using the dive computer. Especially in deep blue when no bottom is visible as a reference.
Fear of sharks - is the concern justified?
The shark abundance around Galapagos is remarkable. Despite this, the waters of the archipelago are considered safe. The sharks find good conditions with plenty of food. The "Global Shark Attack File" lists 1931 shark attacks for all of Ecuador since 12. The Shark Attacks database lists 7 incidents in 120 years for Galapagos. No fatal attack was registered. At the same time, numerous vacationers snorkel and dive every day and observe different shark species. Sharks are fascinating, graceful animals.
What does the underwater world in Galapagos offer?
Sea lions, schools of surgeonfish and black-striped salema, puffer fish, parrotfish and white tip reef sharks are frequent companions. In the right spots you have a good chance of spotting needlefish, barracuda, sea turtles, penguins, eagle rays, golden rays, seahorses and marine iguanas. In spring you can also see manta rays. Of course, sightings of moray eels, eels, starfish and squid are also possible. Hammerheads and Galapagos sharks are mostly found in deep water around free-standing rocks in the open sea. Very rarely you can also see a mola mola or a whale shark.
active holiday • South America • Ecuador • Galapagos • Snorkeling and diving in Galapagos • Galapagos underwater
Localization information
Where is Galapagos located?
The Galapagos Archipelago is part of Ecuador. The archipelago is located in the Pacific Ocean, a two-hour flight from mainland Ecuador and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of South America. The national language is Spanish. Galapagos is made up of numerous islands. The four inhabited islands are Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Isabela, and Floreana.
For your travel planning
How is the weather in Galapagos?
Despite its proximity to the equator, the climate is not typically tropical. The cold Humboldt Current and the southern trade winds influence the weather. A distinction is therefore made between a hot (December to June) and a slightly cooler season (July to November). The air temperature is between 20 and 30 ° C all year round.
How can I reach the Galapagos?
There are good flight connections from Guayaquil in Ecuador to the Galapagos. Flights are also possible from Ecuador's capital Quito. South Seymour Airport is located on Balta Island and is connected to Santa Cruz Island by a small ferry. The second airport is on San Cristobal. A ferry runs twice a day between the main island of Santa Cruz and the islands of San Cristobal and Isabela. At times, the ferries run less frequently to Floreana. All uninhabited islands can only be reached by day tours while island hopping, on a cruise through the Galapagos or with a liveaboard.
Experience the Galapagos National Park underwater
Explore paradise with the AGE ™ Galapagos travel guide.
Experience even more adventure with Diving and snorkeling worldwide.
active holiday • South America • Ecuador • Galapagos • Snorkeling and diving in Galapagos • Galapagos underwater
Florida Museum (n.d.), South America – International Shark Attack File. [online] Retrieved on 30.04.2022/XNUMX/XNUMX, from URL: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/shark-attacks/maps/sa/all/
Remo Nemitz (oD), Galapagos Weather & Climate: Climate table, temperatures and best travel time. [online] Retrieved on November 04.11.2021th, XNUMX, from URL: https://www.beste-reisezeit.org/pages/amerika/ecuador/galapagos.php
Shark Attack Data (until 2020) Shark attack data for Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Timeline of unprovoked incidents since 1900. [online] Retrieved on November 20.11.2021, XNUMX, from URL: http://www.sharkattackdata.com/place/ecuador/galapagos_islands
Wreck Bay Diving Center (2018) Homepage of the Wreck Bay Diving Center. [online] Retrieved on 30.04.2022/XNUMX/XNUMX, from URL: http://www.wreckbay.com/