Inside Under Trip Report: Galapagos Dive Safari 2021

Central Islands, Galapagos, Ecuador

November 13 - 20, 2021 - 6 divers

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.

This year’s package included 10 dives spread out over five days. Some of the signature dives included steep wall dives at Champion Island and Cousins Rock, 2 days at the open-water crater called Gordon Rocks, shallow sand flats abundant with marine creatures large and small, and a day trip to one of the southern islands, Floreana. Schools of hammerheads were abundant at not only the sites where we expected to see them, but also at a number of the sites where we didn’t. We also encountered false killer whales and bottlenose dolphins on the surface, penguins, eagle rays, turtles and sea lions. The conditions and wildlife encountered were some of the best the central islands have to offer.

Our group of highly experienced divers met the conditions with ease and 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 2022 here!

Trip Report

Trip type - Island-based day trips

Inside Under Island Guide - Alex Lichtblau

Dive operator - Shark Bay Dive Center

# of dives - 10

Visibility - 40-70 feet

Water temperature - 66-68 degrees F

Air temperature - 67 (nighttime low) - 78 (daytime high)

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

Moon phase - Full moon on November 19

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

Specialty dives - drift and deep dives

Highlights - Schooling hammerhead sharks, black-tip sharks, Galapagos sharks, and white-tip reef sharks, schooling mobulas and spotted eagle rays, an oceanic manta ray, a Mola mola, marbled stingrays, bottlenose dolphins, false killer whales, green sea turtles, Galapagos penguins, marine iguanas, Galapagos sea lions

Trip Reviews

“It's been a dream to dive in the Galapagos for so long, and I wouldn't have wanted to experience it any other way.” - Calypso

“…as the newest diver amongst the group, Alex made me feel incredibly comfortable, confident, and safe during all of our underwater adventures throughout the week.” - Tam

Schooling hammerheads (Copy)

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

Bottlenose dolphin (Copy)

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

Galapagos sea lion (Copy)

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

Spotted eagle rays (Copy)

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

Green sea turtle (Copy)

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

Marbled stingray (Copy)

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

Anemone (Copy)

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

Scalloped hammerhead shark (Copy)

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

Galapagos triplefin blennyu (Copy)

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

Collector urchin (Copy)

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

White-tip reef shark (Copy)

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.