Inside Under Trip Report: Galapagos Dive Safari 2019

Central Islands, Galapagos, Ecuador

November 9 - 16, 2019 - 9 divers, 1 non-diver

The Galapagos Islands are a volcanic archipelago located 600 miles off the west coast of Ecuador. Site of the confluence of multiple major ocean currents, the Galapagos Islands are home to a wide variety of endemic creatures (found only in one place). The Galapagos Marine Reserve and National Park are some of the best protected natural areas in the world. The mixing of vastly different currents makes the Galapagos ideal for a strange lineup of creatures large and small. The cold currents provides the necessary habitat for sea lions and penguins, while the warm water sustains tropical fish translocated from the Indo-Pacific. The highlight of diving in Galapagos is the abundance of large pelagic creatures like sharks, rays, turtles, cetaceans and more, as the water around the islands is incredibly deep and packed with action.

Although the package included 8 dives showcasing the best sites of the central islands, all 10 guests chose to add an additional 2 dives on the designated “rest” day. Some of the signature dives included steep wall dives at Champion Island and Cousins Rock, a two tank trip to the open-water crater called Gordon Rocks, shallow sand flats abundant with marine creatures large and small, and even a surprise day trip to one of the southern islands, Floreana. Hammerheads, dolphins, penguins, eagle rays, turtles and sea lions made regular appearances and kept our divers wondering where to look.

A number of guests utilized their Enriched Air Nitrox certification course, and others completed their first drift dives! Our divers were challenged with cool water and swift currents, but were rewarded with a long list of incredible encounters!

Galapagos Dive Safari is an annual trip on the Inside Under calendar. Secure your spot for 2020 here!

Trip Report

Trip type - Island-based day trips

Inside Under Island Guide - Alex Lichtblau

Dive operator - Shark Bay Dive Center

# of dives - 8 (+2 additional dives on “rest” day)

Visibility - 30-60 feet

Water temperature - 70-72 degrees F

Air temperature - 67 (nighttime low) - 80 (daytime high)

Weather - Overcast with mottled sunshine, cool mornings and evenings, warm afternoons

Moon phase - Full moon on November 12

Current - up to 1 knot current at Gordon Rocks, Champion and Cousins, otherwise null

Specialty dives - drift and deep dives

Highlights - Hammerhead sharks, black-tip sharks, Galapagos sharks, and white-tip reef sharks, mobula and schooling spotted eagle rays, marbled stingrays, dolphins, false killer whales, green sea turtles, Galapagos penguins, marine iguanas, Galapagos sea lions

Trip Reviews

“Thank you for such an amazingly profound and beautiful trip! And to experience with such a group of wonderful people made it even better.” - Doug

“I just had the immense pleasure of going to the Galapagos with Alex on his Galapagos Dive Safari Excursion. This was by far one of the most amazing opportunities.” - Katelynn

Schooling hammerheads

This school of scalloped hammerheads made an appearance in the deep water around Gordon Rocks.

Bottlenose dolphin

A curious bottlenose dolphin approached us between dives during a snorkel session!

Galapagos sea lion

This close cousin of the California sea lion regularly approaches divers for a bit of fun.

Spotted eagle rays

This school of spotted eagle rays hovered motionless in the middle of the water column at Gordon Rocks.

Green sea turtle

Huge, old green sea turtles regulary visit cleaning stations to keep their shells free from parasites and algae.

Bloody frogfish

One of our divers discovered this rarely seen frogfish, perfectly camouflaged with the bottom.

Marbled stingray

This giant marbled stingray rested on a ledge of the deep wall on Cousin’s Rock.

Anemone

This anemone attached itself to the black corals abundant on the deep walls of Champion Islet.

Scalloped hammerhead shark

This hammerhead shark made a close pass by our divers at Gordon Rocks.

Galapagos triplefin blennyu

This male Galapagos triplefin blenny flicked his colorful dorsal fin in an attempt to attract a nearby female.

Collector urchin

The suction cup feet of a collector urchin, close up!

Galapagos sea robin

This rarely seen fish uses its modified ventral fins to crawl across the bottom, making it one of the only ‘walking’ fish.

White-tip reef shark

Many white-tip reef sharks are found resting in the sand at North Seymour Island.

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 dive travel and dive instruction business, Inside Under Dive & Travel. To learn more about me, my passion, and my business see my bio. Also, learn more about future dive trips and certification courses.