Diving Santa Cruz
Fun Dives
There is no other place on the planet with such internationally acclaimed islands as a diving destination as the Galapagos Islands.
Located at an intersection of several underwater currents, the Galapagos Islands are home to wonderful marine creatures.
Just imagine whale sharks, schools of hundreds of hammerhead sharks, sea lions, marine iguanas and penguins.
The waters can be a little cold and the currents strong but it’s all part of this unforgettable experience.
In a lush archipelago 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, you will find more than 200 species of animals above and below the water.
We offer a variety of dive trips and island tours from 1 day to 2 weeks, each site designed to allow you to experience the unique landscapes and wildlife that make the Galapagos so special.
| Día | Lancha Galápago |
|---|---|
| Lunes | Floreana |
| Martes | Gordon |
| Miércoles | Mosquera Norte / Seymour Canal |
| Jueves | Bartolomé / Cousins |
| Viernes | Mosquera Sur / Daphne |
| Sábado | Seymour Punta / Seymour Canal |
| Domingo | Punta Carrion / Gordon |
*MINIMUM OF 25 LOGGED DIVES / LAST 18 MONTHS BEFORE OR GUIDE’S EVALUATION.
IMPORTANT: The Itinerary may change due to the Galapagos National Park’s disposition or due to a force majeure situation.
Destination 1: Gordon Rocks
Suitable for all experienced divers.
It is an extinct volcanic cone with a sandy bottom at a depth of 32 meters and a drop from the wall of approximately 65 meters.
It has 3 exposed rocks that were part of the crater and pinnacles 5-6 meters deep from the surface on the north face of the crater with a pinnacle at approximately 21 meters deep located in the center.
Strong currents are quite frequent at this site making it one of the best places, close to Santa Cruz, to observe schools of hammerhead sharks.
Schools of up to 50 individuals or more can be found circling the rocks and swimming with the current.
Also frequent are white tip reef sharks, sea turtles, sea lions, rays (eagle rays, mobulas), large schools of barracudas and snappers and occasionally manta rays and mola mola.
High.
Although it can be a calm site for diving, currents are always present and these can be quite strong so it is a site recommended for experienced/advanced divers (with a minimum of 30 dives performed).
If you have less than these dives, our instructors will evaluate you to measure your ability and skills.
45 minutes – 1 hour from Puerto Ayora (by car + boat)
Destination 2: North Seymour
Suitable for all divers.
The topography of this site consists of gradual steps from the coastline of the island to reach a rocky reef that is around 8 meters deep.
The bottom is sandy and is located at 16-18 meters deep.
Diving here provides a great opportunity to observe white tip sharks and sea turtles.
There is also the possibility of observing hammerhead sharks swimming through the channel or at the point.
Schools of barracuda and snappers and the rocks offer an excellent environment to look for camouflaged octopus.
One of the main attractions of this site are the schools of eagle rays that glide through the channel and are sometimes joined by mobulas or mantas.
Low.
Seymour is a good site for both beginners and experienced divers.
Currents can range from moderate to strong at times.
1 hour approximately from Puerto Ayora (car + boat)
Destination 3: Mosquera
Suitable for all divers.
Mosquera is a small islet of sand and rocks located in the channel between the islands of Seymour and Baltra.
The topography of the dive site is similar to Seymour with a rocky reef until reaching a sandy platform around 21 meters deep.
Here divers can relax and wait for schools of eagle rays, hammerhead sharks, white tip reef sharks, black tip sharks and the occasional Galapagos shark.
Manta ray sightings are quite frequent at this site.
On the sandy bottom you will be able to observe the garden eels (endemic species of Galapagos) in their small tunnels in the seabed.
Low.
Like Seymour, Mosquera is suitable for inexperienced divers with moderate to minimal currents.
1 hour from Puerto Ayora (by car + boat)
Destination 4: Floreana
Suitable for all divers.
The 3 dive sites around this island show a very interesting topography with rocky outcrops, small caves and sandy bottoms that provide shelter to many marine animals.
It is common to see the large schools of salemas and swim among their millions of individuals.
There is also a good chance of spotting the rare batfish and the endemic Sea Robins.
Hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, rays (eagle rays, golden rays) and white tip sharks can also be observed.
Floreana is also a special place to swim with sea lions.
Low.
Floreana normally has few currents, making it an excellent site for both beginners and experts.
1h, 1/2 or 2 hours from Puerto Ayora, depending on sea conditions (boat).
Destination 5: Bartholomew and Roca Cousins
Suitable for all divers.
These two sites offer terraced steps that gradually descend to 30 meters until reaching the sandy bottom of 40 meters.
These steps are covered by soft black coral and are an excellent place to find Pacific seahorses.
The ledges of these steps are a good place to find white tip reef sharks, sea turtles, moray eels and octopus.
It is also likely to see schools of barracudas and other reef fish as well as manta rays and hammerhead sharks.
Low.
Both sites are suitable for both beginners and experienced divers as they do not have strong currents.
2 hours (approximately) from Puerto Ayora (by boat)
Destination 6: Daphne Minor
Suitable for all divers.
Daphne is located on the north coast of Santa Cruz.
The dive takes place on the wall of the island so currents may be present.
The main attraction of this area are the manta rays.
Although the visibility is not excellent (due to the amount of plankton that exists), this is not a problem when observing these animals as they come quite close to the divers.
Juvenile Galapagos sharks, white tip sharks and eagle rays can also be observed.
Low.
Suitable for both novice and experienced divers
1 hour from Puerto Ayora (car + boat).
Destination 7: Sante Fe
Suitable for all divers.
Santa Fe is known to be one of the easiest dive sites in Galapagos, but by no means boring.
There are many sea lions, sea turtles, white tip reef sharks, rays and large schools of fish.
A cave at 16 meters makes this dive site very interesting for both beginners and experienced divers.
Low.
Shallow dive suitable for beginners.
40 minutes by boat from Puerto Ayora.
DOES INCLUDE
- Lunch
- Refreshments (between dives)
- Water
- Marine reserve guide
- Naturalist Guide.
- Diving equipment
IS NOT CONSIDERED
Carbonated or alcoholic beverages
Tips
Schedule
07H:30 Pick up passengers from the Hotel. (located in Puerto Ayora)
| HORAS | ACTIVIDAD |
|---|---|
| 08h:30 / 09h:30 | Arribo al área de buceo: Chequeo equipos/pesos (30 min) |
| 09h:30 / 10h:30 | Primer Buceo (Profundidad 18-25 metros. Tiempo máximo 1 hora |
| 10h:30 / 11h:30 | Tiempo de superficie (1.5 horas); refrigerio |
| 11h:45 / 12h:45 | Segundo buceo (profundidad 18-20 metros). Tiempo máximo 1 hora |
| 12h:45 / 13h:45 | Almuerzo y Retorno |
| 14h:15 / 15h:30 | Arribo Al Hotel |
– The day before the trip, participants must report to the Scuba Iguana office to prepare equipment and sign the “Release of Liability” document (according to the dive site).
If the participant is embarked and arrives the same day of the services, he/she must be at our offices at 07h30 am for the equipment test and signature.
If the participant is on a cruise and must be picked up from his vessel and/or is unable to attend to test equipment, he must fill out the application form very clearly and carefully in the height/weight/size boxes so that the equipment can be sent to him without testing.
Although it is common practice to send diving equipment without testing and without major inconveniences, the participant must know and understand that there is a margin of error in this way.
Equipment
Long wetsuit
Fins
Boots
Snorkel Mask
