DIVING AT THE GALAPAGOS

DIVING CONDITIONS AT THE GALAPAGOS are considered medium to hard due to the currents, depth and shape of the dive sites, temperatures and fauna.

TEMPERATURES The range of surface temperature of the sea is from 18ºC to 30ºC. September to November are the coldest months, and February to April the warmest. Thermoclines are present, between 10 to 30 meters depth ( 30 to 100 feet) and the temperature can drop from one to five degrees Celsius.

CURRENTS You will probably dive in the Galápagos in medium to strong currents. We understand s medium currents to be between one and three knots (between 1 and 4 miles/hour or between 2 and 6 Km./hour), and strong currents are more than three knots (more than 4 miles/hour or 6 Km./hour).

VISIBILITY Visibility of 100 feet or 30 meters often is present in the Galápagos waters. You shall expect a visibility from 50 to 80 feet or 15 to 25 meters in most of the diving places. In some areas and in some seasons due to the richness of phytoplankton, green waters are present. This planktonic algae is the first step in the tropic chain and is necessary to sustain all marine life at the islands.

SAFETY You should take all of the safety indications that your guide will explain very seriously in the briefings. Conditions in the Galapagos are so variable that the guides can only make an accurate assessment of the actual conditions upon arriving at the diving site.  Additionally, conditions may very well change during the dive.

Before any dive, the company will ask you to sign a waiver of responsibility.

We strongly recommend that you have a valid D.A.N. membership card.

DIVING COURSES You can learn scuba diving in a school in Puerto Ayora. PADI Open Water Diver, Advanced, Rescue and Dive master courses are available. There is a minimum of 2 students. For an Open Water Diver Course you need five days, which includes equipment, boat transportation and the license

Introduction
The Galapagos is one of the great places in the world for diving. Radiant fish and bizarre animals populate the waters around the Galapagos and exhilarate divers and snorkelers.  Swept by both the cold waters of Antarctica and warm currents from the tropical Pacific, the Galapagos’ colorful marine life embodies an unusual mixture of species.  Here, penguins swim with tropical fish and iguanas feed underwater.  The marine animals exhibit the same bold curiosity and lack of fear characteristic of terrestrial wildlife.  

To conserve this wealth of sea-life, the Galapagos Marine Resources Reserve (GMRR), with waters totaling 27,000 square miles, was signed into law in 1986.  The law protects marine life 15 nautical miles offshore.  In 1998, the Special Law for Galapagos extended the off-limits restrictions for industrial fishing to 40 miles offshore. 

Excellent diving in the Galapagos includes the renowned northern islands of Wolf and Darwin, famous for their schools of hammerhead sharks, giant manta rays and whale sharks.  

Galapagos waters are cool - the geographical location of the archipelago, straddling the equatorial line is often misleading. Cold water currents and upswellings in different parts of the archipelago can produce sea temperatures as low as 10°C although the average is nearer 18°C throughout most of the year. The warm season, between about December and March usually brings warmer waters of around 23°C. Divers must bring an appropriate diving suit. While a good wetsuit is adequate, dry-suits may provide more comfort underwater, although the dangers of overheating must be considered when out of water as air temperatures can exceed 30°C.

Galapagos is not the place to learn to dive. Diving is often straight-forward but strong currents, low visibility, large animals and cold water. Better qualified divers are more likely to enjoy the underwater experience (C.M.A.S. 2 star and Advanced OWD minimum qualification recommended).

Underwater Galapagos is for the wildlife lover - the paucity of wrecks excludes those interested in treasure, salvage and archaeology. For the photographer, Galapagos provides as many underwater surprises as it does on land. The sharks are friendly, the sea lions playful; and where else can you observe penguins diving with marine iguanas? The variety of underwater habitats and unpredictable conditions contribute to providing some of the most exciting and fascinating diving around.

Most people book their diving holiday as a complete package on a live-aboard boat, although a recent development offers land-based dive operations. All diving should be co-ordinated by a diving guide. The guide is licensed by the Galapagos National Park Service and the naval authorities to lead underwater excursions. (A guide should come automatically with a boat or diving trip). Though knowledgeable about the sites on offer, the guide might not necessarily be an instructor. You should carry with you your dive card (proof of qualification), evidence of medical fitness and insurance. You may be asked to sign a disclaimer.

There is no recompression chamber in Galapagos, the nearest being on the Ecuadorian mainland. Evacuation procedures are basic and may not be available for days. In-water recompression is not advised. Every diver must therefore bear in mind that safe diving practices are particularly crucial, and decompression dives are not recommended.

 ANIMALS AND MARINE LIFE OF GALAPAGOS

If you want to go close to the animals, the best way is to make slow movements, or none at all, when in front of them and don´t make bubbles. You will scare a resting turtle or a passing shark, or even a huge whale, if you head fast towards it. The only animals underwater that will not be frightened by your presence (if you find them), are killer whales and adult male sea lions. Be careful with the male sea lions, they may bite.
One way to get close to the animals is to stay hidden underwater in the same place during the entire dive. The marine turtles, sharks, rays, and other animals are swimming around and are very curious. They can even pass less than one meter from you.

ALGAE 333 species of algae are reported at the Galápagos, (35 % are endemics). During "El Niño" many of the algae are replaced by others which can grow better in warm waters, changing the food chain.

INVERTEBRATES 24 species of sea urchins, 28 of sea stars, 30 of sea cucumbers, approximately 600 of mollusca, and more than 100 of crabs exist in the Galapagos. The colors of the Blue Sea Star Phataria Unifascialis, the shape of the Black Spiny Brittle Star Ophiocoma aethiops, the red phosphorescent skin of the Horse conch Fasciolaria Princeps and the quantity of Slate Pencil Urchins Eucidaris thouarsii will fascinate you during the dives. We strongly recommend the book "A Field Guide to Sea Stars and other Equinoderms of Galápagos. By Cleveland P.Hickman, Jr. of Sugar Spring Press, 1998.

CORALS 31 non-reef building corals (30% of them are endemic) and 13 reef builders are reported. The Galápagos have the same quantity and diversity of corals as other parts of the east Pacific. They are congregated in some areas, especially in Darwin and Wolf where more warm waters are present. Out of those congregations, you should not expect to find large quantities of corals.

FISH There are more than 300 species of fish (17% are endemic to the Galapagos). Big schools of Creole Fish (Gringo or Paranthias colonus), Black Striped Salema (Ojón or Xenocys jessiae), groups of Almaco Jacks (Palometa or Seriola rivoliana), Barracudas (Sphyraena idiastes), Moorish Idol (Zanclus cornutus), and dancing Rainbow Wrass (Vieja Arco Iris or Thalassoma lucasanum) are common.
You may see a Pacific Seahorse (Caballito de Mar or Hippocamous ingens) hanging in a Black Coral, a Fantail Pipefish ( Pez pipa or Doryrhamphus excisus) inside a small crevice and several Red-lipped Batfish (Pez Murciélago or Ogcocephalus darwini) lying in the sand, the Sanguine Frogfish (Pez Sapo or Antennatus sanguineus) changing colors due to the surroundings sponges are more of a challenge to see because of their size and camouflage.
Galapagos Barnacle Blennies ( Acanthemblemaria castroi) living inside old barnacles, Yellow-tail Damselfish (Damisela Cola Amarilla or Stegastes arcifrons) protecting their algae garden, Wrasses cleaning other fish, Stone Scorpionfish (Brujo or Scorpaena plumieri mystes) with the same shape and color of the rocks, fascinating juvenile Giant Damselfish (Damisela Gigante or Microspathodon dorsalis) with their iridescent blue spots and the poisonous Bulleye Puffer (Tambulero or Sphoeroides annulatus) are easy to see.
Many Fine Spotted Morays ( Morena Puntofino or Gymnothorax dovii) opening their mouth to breathe, congregations of Galapagos Garden Eels (Anguilas de Jardín or Taenioconger klausewitzi), and several species of rays including the huge Manta Ray ( Manta or Manta hamiltoni) which reach 7 meters or 22 feet also are common.

MAMMALS Two species of sea lions inhabit the Galápagos; the sea lion (Lobo marino or Zalophus californianus wollebaeki) and the Fur seal ( Lobo de dos pelos or Arctocephalus galapagoensis). Total estimated population 80.000 individuals . When snorkeling with them, don´t forget your camera. Don´t try to touch them, they can bite you.
The most sighted whale is the Bride´s Whale (Balaenoptera Edeni). Also you can see Sperm Whales (Physeter Macrocephalus), Killer Whales (Orcinus Orca), (Megaptera Novaeangliae), and others. If you are looking for whales, try the upwelling areas. Close contacts with whales can be done snorkeling between the islands. Approach the whales by they rear, do not make noises or splashes, be silent.
When cruising in the day the Bottlenosed dolphins (Delfín nariz de botella or Tursiups truncatus) swim in front of the boats giving you an opportunity to take their picture, and the small Common dolphins ( Delfín común or Delphinus delphis) likes to jump off the waves made by the boats. You can snorkel with Bottlenosed dolphins jumping in the water right in front of you and can wait as they pass under you. You can hear their sounds and distinguish the mothers and babies.

SAFETY You should take all of the safety indications that your guide will explain very seriously in the briefings. Conditions in the Galapagos are so variable that the guides can only make an accurate assessment of the actual conditions upon arriving at the diving site. Additionally, conditions may very well change during the dive.
Before any dive, the company will ask you to sign a waiver of responsibility.
For you safety, we strongly recommend that you have a valid D.A.N. membership card.