I learned to dive in the Galapagos Islands 12 years ago and had the privilege of doing my first 80 dives there. Ever since, I’ve been chasing the feeling I got from diving in the Galapagos, and have still yet to recreate it anywhere else. Along the way, I’ve tried to distinguish what makes it so good and I’ve boiled it down to this list. If you’ve always thought you couldn’t go to the Galapagos, or knew you could but want to know why you should, consider these five reasons you should visit my favorite place in the world.
#5 - Sea Turtles and Giant Tortoises
Enormous shelled reptiles inhabit the Galapagos islands, both on land and sea. Giant tortoises roam the land while giant sea turtles cruise the shallow waters around the islands.
The most iconic Galapagos animal is the giant tortoise, which can reach upwards of 6 feet in length and nearly 1,000lbs. Each island has its own species, each adapted to its specific environment. These island-to-island variations helped steer Charles Darwin towards his theory of evolution during his visit to the Galapagos. During a trip to the islands, enjoy a tour of a tortoise nursery or take a hike to find them in the wild!
The tortoises’ aquatic cousins, sea turtles are abundant in the water around the Galapagos. It is not uncommon to see multiple turtles grazing in the same area (I once saw 20+ in the same frame!). Due to the difficulty in reaching the islands from mainland Ecuador, the sea turtles you see will also be some of the biggest, and oldest turtles in the ocean.
#4 - Sea Lions
Sea lions form large groups along the coastline of the Galapagos Islands. Both in the water and out, sea lions are one of the most fun encounters you’ll ever have with a wild animal. Thank you Aura Banda (IG @aura_naturephotography) for the beautiful picture.
Galapagos sea lions are direct descendants and nearly identical relatives of the variation found in California. These adorable mammals congregate in large colonies at many locations around the islands, and typically make a big splash during the dives. Much like puppy dogs, sea lions are very curious, playful and unafraid, which makes interactions with them underwater so precious. Their acrobatics and antics are sure to be a highlight of the diving, and their snuggly nature on land draws equal adoration.
#3 - It’s easier than you think
A picture of me getting certified 12 years ago in the Galapagos.
There is a common misconception that the only people going to the Galapagos are scientists and socialites. The truth is it that it’s easier to get there than you think. Not only is there a thriving community there, but they rely on conscious travelers like you to visit.
Another misconception is that the ocean conditions are too advanced for beginner divers. In fact many people get certified in the Galapagos (like me!). The diving, especially around the central islands during the right season, can be clear, warm and calm. Although there do exist areas with challenging dive conditions (Darwin and Wolf, accessible only by liveaboard), every level of diver can be accommodated without sacrificing the quality of wildlife encounters.
#2 - Penguins, marine iguanas, Mola mola and other weirdos
The Galapagos penguin, one of the many endemic species on the Galapagos Islands, is also one of the strangest encounters you may have while diving there. Thank you Aura Banda (IG @aura_naturephotography) for the beautiful picture.
The remote nature of the Galapagos (600 miles from the nearest land mass) makes them an ocean oasis for creatures from all over the world. From the south pole comes the Galapagos penguin, the northern-most penguin species in the world and definitely one of the cutest. These tropical penguins thrive on the fish life sustained by cool waters brought by the Humboldt current.
Galapagos marine iguanas, descended from green iguanas originating in the jungles of mainland Ecuador, are one of the only marine reptiles in the world, and the only marine diving lizard in the world. Able to hold their breath for more than 30 minutes and dive to depths of more than 100 feet, marine iguanas are one of the oddest encounters you could have while diving, and it will only happen in the Galapagos!
Other strange and unique creatures call the waters around Galapagos home. These include the Mola mola (the largest bony fish in the world), the flightless cormorant (an aquatic bird that has lost its ability to fly but gained incredible mobility underwater) and many others. Take a chance and see something totally out of the ordinary!
#1 - Sharks, Sharks, Sharks!!!
Shark encounters are very common during diving around the Galapagos Islands. Pictured here is a diver with a small white-tip reef shark, but you could see schooling hammerheads, whale sharks, Galapagos sharks and more.
My top reason to dive the Galapagos is the sharks. With over thirty species found there (32 and counting), the shark diversity of the Galapagos is the highest in the world, and also one of the places with the most sharks per cubic foot of water. During any one dive you can expect to see scalloped hammerheads, Galapagos, white-tip reef and oceanic black-tip sharks, and in certain spots like the northern islands of Darwin and Wolf, you’ll encounter schooling hammerheads by the 100’s, enormous whale sharks and more. Dive the Galapagos to experience the best shark diving in the world.
If these aren’t enough reasons to dive the Galapagos, check out the trips I’ll be guiding, suitable for all levels of divers. Join me in Santa Cruz every year for an epic 8-night island-based dive safari and beginning in 2025 I’ll be hosting a liveaboard expedition to visit the northern islands of Darwin and Wolf.
by Alex Lichtblau
I first dived in the Galapagos in 2011. It inspired in me an unmatched passion...the ocean. Since then I've travelled the world, diving, exploring and building my own concierge dive travel and private dive instruction business, Inside Under Dive & Travel. To learn more about me and my passion, see my bio. Also, learn more about dive certifications and courses, or going on a dive trip with me.