The Galapagos Islands are a series of islands (sum 18 in total) and a collection of inlets situated approximately 1000 kilometers from Ecuador. The islands themselves are quite unique in that they are constantly changing due to volcanic activity. Because of its isolation, it is relatively unspoiled by development and human inhabitation. Although, that is not to say it is without its fair share of exceptional accommodation and hotel facilities aimed at the regular holiday maker, avid researcher or adventurer.
This is why (as a dive location) it is on par with the best in the world. Due to its unspoiled beauty, breathtaking location and ability for change, it has become home to a wide variety of sea life and is a highly frequented tourism hotspot. It is one of the only places in the world where you can expect to see whale sharks, hammerheads, dolphins and manta rays in a single location, albeit not necessarily in the same dive spot.
A Brief History of the Galapagos Islands
The discovery of the Galapagos Islands can almost be considered a mistake. Tomas de Berlanga’s ship was reported to drift into the archipelago on route to Peru from Panama. This fateful occurrence was in 1535 and he described the archipelago as godforsaken. He was not even impressed by the variety of animal life found within the archipelago and described it as wretched (there is just no pleasing some people). Due to this description of the archipelago, the Spanish conquistadores didn’t attempt to colonize any of the islands within the archipelago until two centuries later.
The Galapagos Islands is a world heritage site and forms part of Ecuador (it is in fact an Ecuadorian province). The main language spoken there is Spanish. The islands formed a haven for privateers in the seventeenth century and it was around this time that the first charting of the islands occurred. The original charting of the islands labeled the islands with names of Englishmen who helped played a pivotal role in the protection of the privateers. Many of the islands have been renamed (officially) in Spanish.
Eventually, the scientific community took note of the diversity of animal life found within the archipelago and Charles Darwin made a specific voyage on the Beagle to the islands to study the diversity of animal and plant life found there. Many argue that it was this trip that gave rise to his initial Theory of Evolution. Because of this, many of the islands have alternate names used by biologists and researchers that Darwin himself coined.
Accessibility
The Galapagos Islands have two main airfields that are used to traffic tourists in and out. You are likely to need to book a connecting flight from Quito or Guayaquil (on the Ecuadorian mainland) to reach one of these airports situated on the Galapagos Islands. Many cruise ships make the Galapagos Islands one of their cruise destinations for a brief stopover as well so it may be worth checking out the travel itineraries of any of the major cruise and travel companies.
Diving the Galapagos Islands
This is no doubt what you are here to read about. There are a range of diving options available although none of these are really available or recommended for the novice diver. The water temperature has a tendency to change rapidly and strong currents abound in many of the major (and best) dive spots available. This is because the Galapagos Islands are situated near the Humboldt Current which flows from the south and carries much cooler water northward. What is interesting to note about this is that the Galapagos Islands virtually sit on the equator – warm waters are not always a given.
If you are travelling to the Galapagos Islands specifically for recreational diving it is advised that you pack a warm wetsuit, your previous dive logs and C-card so that your guide can best gauge your ability to handle the dive and choose the right dive spot accordingly. In fact, the best dive spots are only available to experienced SCUBA divers. These spots include the renowned Gordon’s Rocks which boasts schools of hammerhead sharks.
The Diversity of Marine Life in the Galapagos Islands
When diving in the Galapagos Islands you have the opportunity to come face to face with some of the most revered sea creatures in the ocean. Sure, the waters are home to some of the smaller and cuddly sea creatures such as equatorial penguins, a massive variety of reef fish and turtles. However the opportunity exists to come into contact with some of the larger and more impressive creatures in the sea. The Galapagos Islands is home to a wide variety of sharks, whale sharks, sea lions, the large (and rare) Galapagos tortoise and rays.
Depending on the time of the year even larger creatures such as whales migrate into cooler waters via the Galapagos Islands. Toothed cetaceans that float through the Galapagos Islands include the false killer whale, orca, pilot whale, blue whale, and the sperm whale (to name a few). Dolphins are also often seen playfully lolling in the waters within the Galapagos Islands. This makes the Galapagos Islands one of the premiere locations for divers seeking out larger marine animals.
Notable Dive Spots Situated in the Galapagos Islands
There are three main notable dive spots situated in the Galapagos Islands (although there are sure to be more, lesser known spots than these). They include Gordon’s Rocks, Darwin Island and Wolf Island. The latter will require you to travel and potentially spend a night aboard a boat in order to access. Luckily, there are a wide variety of chartered and personalized dive cruise operators that can tailor your trip to your skill level and around what you would like to see. Because of the diversity of marine life located in the Galapagos Islands, every dive spot has its own set of unique features, flora and fauna.