Dive Sites

Diving in the Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are one of the world’s most extraordinary diving destinations, offering unparalleled marine biodiversity. Divers can encounter iconic species such as schools of hammerhead sharks, sea lions, manta rays, and even the elusive sunfish, making every dive a unique adventure.

With sites suited for all levels from calm, shallow dives for beginners to thrilling drift dives with strong currents for advanced divers. Galapagos diving has something for everyone. The combination of volcanic landscapes and nutrient-rich waters creates the perfect stage for unforgettable encounters beneath the surface.

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Gordon Rocks

An extinct volcanic crater and one of the most iconic dive sites in the Galapagos, Gordon Rocks offers a thrilling underwater adventure. Known worldwide for its majestic schools of hammerhead sharks, this site is often called the “Mecca of hammerheads.” The volcanic walls, strong currents, and rich marine life make it an unforgettable experience for seasoned divers.

Level: Advanced
Travel Time: ⏱️ 45 min – 1 hour from Puerto Ayora
Difficulty: 🌊 Strong currents, recommended for divers with 30+ logged dives
Highlights: Schools of hammerhead sharks, white and blacktip reef sharks, green sea turtles, sea lions, eagle rays, manta rays, and the occasional Mola mola.

Daphne & Mosquera

Together, Daphne and Mosquera offer a spectacular combination of volcanic walls, sandy-bottom platforms, and rich marine biodiversity. These two sites complement each other perfectly: Daphne is renowned for its manta ray encounters along its wall, while Mosquera is famous for its sea lion colonies and sandy plains filled with life.

Level: All divers
Travel Time: ⏱️ 1 hour from Puerto Ayora
Difficulty: 🌊 Easy to intermediate (shallow wall dive).
Highlights: Manta rays, juvenile Galapagos sharks, whitetip reef sharks, and eagle rays, occasional sightings of hammerhead sharks cruising through the currents

Floreana

Floreana is a magical island with rocky outcrops, small caves, and calm waters that make it perfect for divers of all levels. Its underwater world bursts with life, from vast schools of black-striped salemas and the unique red-lipped batfish, to reef sharks, turtles, eagle rays, and playful sea lions that often approach divers with curiosity. A relaxed yet vibrant site, Floreana offers one of the most enchanting dive experiences in the Galapagos.

Level: All divers
Travel Time: ⏱️ 1.5 – 2 hours from Puerto Ayora
Difficulty: 🌊 Minimal currents, ideal for beginners.
Highlights: Large schools of salemas, red-lipped batfish, reef sharks, turtles, rays, and playful juvenile sea lions.

Santa Fe

Santa Fe is one of the easiest and most picturesque dive sites in the Galapagos, making it ideal for beginners and a favorite for those who enjoy relaxed dives surrounded by beauty. The highlight of Santa Fe is undoubtedly its playful sea lions, who love to interact with divers and create unforgettable encounters. Alongside them, you can often spot reef sharks, turtles, rays, and large schools of fish, all thriving in its calm and crystal-clear waters.

Level: All divers
Travel Time: ⏱️40 minutes by boat from Puerto Ayora
Difficulty: 🌊 ⏱️Easy, shallow dive.
Highlights: Sea lions, turtles, whitetip reef sharks, rays, large schools of fish, and an underwater cave at 16 meters.

SEYMOUR POINT & MOSQUERA

North Seymour and Mosquera are among the most popular dive sites in the Galapagos, offering a perfect mix of excitement and relaxation for divers of all levels. Seymour is renowned for its drift dives and the chance to encounter large numbers of sea turtles, while Mosquera’s sandy bottom platform attracts sharks, rays, playful sea lions, and even vast colonies of garden eels. Together, they showcase the incredible diversity of Galapagos marine life, making every dive a rich and unforgettable experience.

Level: All divers
Travel Time: ⏱️Approx. 1 hour by car and boat from Puerto Ayora
Difficulty: 🌊 Moderate to mild currents, suitable for beginners and experienced divers.
Highlights: White and blacktip reef sharks, green sea turtles, eagle rays, manta rays, hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, playful sea lions, and vast colonies of garden eels.