Galapagos Scuba Diving

You have three options for scuba diving in the Galapagos:

  • A live-aboard dive boat
  • A day or two of diving from a tour boat (occasional diving)
  • Day trips from one of the islands (staying at a hotel), which can be a land extension before/after a Galapagos cruise tour, or it can be part of an island-hopping tour.

When to Go

If you want to see the whale sharks, June-November is the best time.  You have about a 99% chance to see them out at Wolf and Darwin Islands.  However, the water is slightly cooler (60-75 degrees) and it can be cloudy, which affects underwater photography.

The probability of seeing whale sharks December-May is about 50%.  The water is warmer (70-85 degrees) and you will likely see larger schools of hammerheads, manta rays and eagle rays.

Occasional Diving

The Legend and the Coral I & II offer diving for $375/person/day for 1-2 dives (includes equipment).
The Nemo I also offers occasional diving.

Live Aboard

The most famous dive spots in the Galapagos are at Wolf and Darwin Islands. There are currently only a few boats still offering scheduled live-aboard diving itineraries that include Darwin and Wolf Islands. You will need 8 days in the Galapagos for these trips.

Aggressor III

  • Cruises start on Thursday
  • Up to 22 dives and 4 land excursions

Astrea

  • Cruises start on Tuesday every other week

Estrella del Mar I

  • Cruises start on Monday
  • Up to 21 dives and 1 land excursion

Humboldt Explorer

  • Cruises start on Monday
  • Up to 21 dives and 3 land excursions
  • The newest dive boat in the Galapagos

Lonesome George

  • Cruises start on Mondays and Fridays, no Wolf/Darwin Islands
  • Offers multiple 4, 5, and 8 day cruises
  • On 8-day itineraries, up to 3 -7 dives and 10-12 land excursions
  • On 5-day itineraries, up to 3-4 dives and 4-6 land excusions
  • On 4-Day itineraries, up to 3 dives and 6 land excursions

Master

  • Cruises start on Monday
  • Between 18-20 dives and up to 4 land excursions
  • Also offers 11-day itinerary with up to 30 dives possible and 6 land excursions

Nortada

  • Cruises start on Friday
  • Up to 21 dives and 4 land excursions

Pinquino Explorer

  • Cruises start on Tuesday every other week
  • 17 immersions

Sky

  • Cruises start on Sunday
  • 8 and 11 day cruises
  • Up to 4 dives per day on 5.5 days of diving for 8-day cruises
  • Up to 4 dives per day on 8.5 days of diving for 11-day cruises
  • 3 land excursions

Day Tour Diving

There are a number of hotels on Santa Cruz and San Cristobal Islands that offer daily dive and tour options. This is often the best option as it offers the most flexible dates, a variety of itineraries, and the best value. Contact us for hotel and island-hopping options. One possible scuba diving boat option is:

Nautilus

The Nautilus is an 8-passenger motor-sailor that can be chartered for a single day dive or for multi-day / multi-island trips of 4-8 days (staying at hotels on various islands).

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