DIVING LIKE NO OTHER PLACE

Galapagos diving is exciting. It is not like the fantastical beauty of a tropical coral reef. The thrill of Galapagos diving is to be surrounded by wildlife, a diversity of big animals like no other place, where every day can surprise you with real adventure.

Diving with immense schools of fish, sea lions, marine turtles, morays, marine iguanas, invertebrates, rays, giant mantas, white tip reef sharks, Galápagos sharks, hammerhead sharks, sometimes even whale sharks, dolphins, humpback whales, or sperm whales. With so much exotic marine life, the Galapagos Islands is a photographer's dream come true.

Seldom is it easy diving. The conditions of a typical dive could include surge, current, limited visibility, and cold water which requires a 6.5 mm wetsuit and a heavy weight belt. Often it is a wall dive where the bottom is very deep. Yet there you are, amid crowding animals, and the unexpected…that’s what makes it worth the challenge.

The “insertion point” where the dive begins may be close to the rocks or exposed to current. We choose the place and the moment for the group to enter the water with the divemaster, and descend together, not scattered over open water. Likewise, at the end of the dive, you could surface near a cliff or close to the surge.

Our boats are not the largest day trip dive boats in Galapagos. Rather, they are optimized for speed and maneuverability. This is important at that critical moment when we begin the dive or when you are in the water waiting for pickup.

WHY YOU SHOULD KNOW OUR NATIONAL PARK?

• World Heritage Site, 1979
• Biosphere Reserve, 1985
• Marine Resources Reserve, 1987
• One of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World, 1989
• Whales Sanctuary, 1992
• Top Dive Destination, 2000
• The Marine Reserve was declared a Natural Heritage of Humanity Site in 2002

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GALAPAGOS CLIMATE

There are two seasons: From January to June is the hot season.
Rains are most common early mornings in January. Water temp. 22 - 28°C (70 - 85F) Air temp. 25 - 30°C (78 - 88F) Strong sun and calm sea. Hottest month is March. From July to December there may be misty rains, water temp 16 - 22°C (60 - 70F) Air temp. 20 - 28°C (68 - 80F) Occasional clouds or overcast, light rains, and light chop at sea. The coldest month is September. There are no storms in Galapagos.

Although we can frequently accept reservations on short notice or even walk-in business, we recommend that you make your reservations with three to six months anticipation, especially for the high season months, December to march and June to August.

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MARINE FAUNA

REEF FISH INCLUDE: King Angelfish, Barberfish, Butterflyfish, Surgeonfish, Morays, Moorish Idol, Chub, Porgy, Halfbeak, Grunt, Black Striped Salema, Barred Pargo, Giant Damselfish, Panamic Sergeant Major, Panamic Graysby, Flag Cabrilla, Barred Serrano, Creole fish, Parrotfish, Snapper, Bacalao, Golden Grouper, Leather Bass, Wrasse, Streamer Hogfish, Cornetfish, Sea Horse, Blenny, Frogfish, Batfish, Flounder, Lizardfish, Scorpionfish, Hawkfish, Puffer, Balloonfish, Burrfish, Boxfish, Triggerfish, Goatfish and much more.

PELAGIC FISH INCLUDE: Bigeye jack, Tuna, Bonito, Sierra, Wahoo and more. Sometimes even marlin or sailfish. Unlike other places, the billfish come close to shore in Galápagos and are occasionally seen by divers. Whalesharks and Mola-mola also are occasional visitors.

INVERTEBRATES INCLUDE: Octopus, three species of lobsters including the endemic slipper lobster, sea cucumbers, anemones, nudibranchs, sea urchins, starfish, sponges, and corals, etc.

REMEMBER: In Galápagos do not feed or touch animals.

DOLPHINS, WHALES AND GIANT MANTAS are common in Galápagos and might be seen on any of the trips.

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RATES

• The official currency of Ecuador is the United States dollar.
• There are two daily flights on AeroGal and two daily flights on TAME airlines. The 2005 referential ticket rates are:
• QUITO-BALTRA-QUITO $ 389.16
  GUAYAQUIL-BALTRA-GUAYAQUIL $ 344.36
• The National Park collects cash $100 tax upon arrival at Galápagos.
• The departure tax is $25 payable at the international airport from Quito or Guayaquil when you leave Ecuador.

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