Informations and Recommendations for diving in Galapagos

DIVING CONDITIONS

Seasons.-There are two seasons. From December to May it is warm and sunny. From July to September it is cool and cloudy. June and October are transition months. During the warm season, there is little wind, the sea is usually quite calm and visibility tends to be good. During the cool season, there is more wind, the sea may be quite agitated and visibility is low.

Water Temperature .- Although the islands are very near the equator, the temperature of the water varies between 16° and 24° Celsius. We use 5-7mm suits year round and a hood during the cool season.

Visibility.- Visibility generally varies between 5 and 25 meters, but most of the time it is between 12 and 18 meters. An extended submarine current (the subterranean equatorial current) from the western Pacific strikes the largest island of the archipelago (Isabela Island) and diverges until it reaches the surface, bringing along nutrient-rich cold water with it. This movement can change the temperature of the water by 6° Celsius and can also make a change in visibility for one or two days..

EXPERIENCE

Beginners.- Recently certified divers or divers who have made few registered immersions (15 to 10 dives).

Intermediates: 15 to 50 registered dives with experience in cold waters and strong currents.

Advances: 100 or more registered dives with experience in cold waters and strong currents.

A detailed description of diving experience is always necessary to confirm a diving program.

A diver who has made 10 immersions in cold waters with strong currents will feel more comfortable than a diver who has made 40 registered dives in warm waters and weak currents. Or a recently certified diver may feel more comfortable than a diver who has made 50 registered dives but has not practiced for six years.

Our Diving: We have fantastic diving sites for beginner, intermediate and experienced divers, although the best diving sites are usually also the most difficult. Beginners can start in the easier sites and then continue in places that are more difficult with the supervision of our guide, dive master or instructor.

Immersions: Every diver needs a tank. We use aluminum 3000 psi / 207 bar tanks. All the tanks have an international connection system. If passengers want to use their own DIN-system regulators, they must bring their own adaptors. Immersions are between 15 and 25 meters because that is the depth where most Galapagos marine life is found. The maximum depth of our immersions is 30 meters.

Gear.- Our prices for daily diving tours always include complete gear. Divers may decide if they want to use our gear or their own.

Our onboard diving cruises do not include personal gear. Only tanks, a belt and weights are included, but a reservation may be made ahead of time for renting gear on board at reasonable prices.