Diving Galapagos (without Liveaboard)

Hi,

Next year April/May/June I will be staying on the Galapagos Islands for 10 weeks, doing research for my thesis at the Charles Darwin center. Since I will have plenty of free time, I have already had contact with Scuba Iguana for diving. They offer day trips to Beagle, Gordon, Daphne, Mosquera, Cousins, Seymour, Floreana, Santa Fe, Pinzon, Guy Fawkes.

Is there anyone who has experience diving these sites? What was your favorite?

Cheers

Vincent

1) Cousins - I love the place. Seahorses, black coral, manta, eagle rays, lots of sea lions.

2) Gordon - A little bit of everything, including some hammerheads. Last time there I saw nothing but one sea lion and one turtle.

3) North Seymour - Nice fish life, some white tips, nudis.

4) Mosquera - Lousy version of North Seymour. Hardly anyone bothered doing a second dive there.

Never dived the other listed locations. All sites can be quite variable in terms of vis and sea life.

Hi Vincent:

We dove with Scuba Iguana in June, 2007, and had a great time. All the sites are potentially good, it just depends on visibility and conditions. Try to stay away from diving on a full moon, if posible.

Floreana/Champion was our favorite: Lots of sea lions, rays, sharks, etc. I agree with Scorpio's comments: Mosquera was marginal for us. Just some fleeting looks at hammer heads and tuna.

If you are at Darwin, you are really close to Scuba Iguana. You should be able to hit most all of the locations. When in Puerto Ayoro, check out Sol y Mar. It is a great hotel with a super pool and bar.

Have a great time!

Dan

It's unfortunate that you can't get to Darwin and Wolf. In my mind, without getting to those spots, you haven't been to the Galapagos.

Steve B)

It's unfortunate that you can't get to Darwin and Wolf. In my mind, without getting to those spots, you haven't been to the Galapagos.

Steve B)

Thanks for your post. I agree (or I think I will once I have seen D&W): unfortunately life as a student does not pay very well. I am however trying to get funds together to do a liveaboard.

If you have any tips on saving cash, I would very much appreciate any information What would be the cheapest liveaboard option to D&W?

I highly recommend that you DO NOT dive with NAUTI DIVING. This is a very, very unorganized operation with divemasters who would openly argue with each other in front of guests. Very bad scene and very old equipment.

Hello Vincentkneefel,

My favorite day trip dive from the Charles Darwin Center was DEVIL'S CROWN in Floreana. I saw 5 white tip reef sharks, multiple sting rays, a huge puffer, sea lions, and a massive school of baitfish which formed a "donut" around me at the end of my dive. A curious baby sea lion kept following several of us and was nipping on our fins. I saw an adult sea lion chasing a white tip reef shark. There is a swim through as well.

At ENDERBY in Floreana I saw a school of 3-4 meter scallop hammerheads, Galapagos sharks, and a beautiful school of eagle rays swimming in formation.

Bring your 7mm wetsuit, gloves, hood, and maybe even an extra farmer-John! The Galapagos is on the equator but you would never know it by the water temperature. The currents can be erratic as well.