Central Islands, Galapagos, Ecuador

November 12 - 20, 2022 - 9 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 8 dives spread out over the course of the week. Some of the signature dives included a steep wall dive at Cousins Rock, 2 days at the open-water volcanic crater called Gordon Rocks and shallow sand flats abundant with marine creatures large and small. Due to the La Niña effect, conditions were slightly cooler than average for this time of year, but we were still graced with sightings of all the icons. One of the dive groups had the extreme luck of encountering bottlenose dolphins during a safety stop at Gordon rocks. During surface intervals, we saw penguins, eagle rays, turtles and sea lions.

Our group contained a highly variable range of experience levels, but everyone came away with once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters, and gained invaluable experience in challenging water conditions!

Galapagos Dive Safari is an annual trip on the Inside Under calendar. Secure your spot for 2023 here!

Trip Report

Trip type - Island-based day trips

Inside Under Island Guide - Alex Lichtblau

Dive operator - Shark Bay Dive Center

# of dives - 8

Visibility - 30-50 feet

Water temperature - 58-73 degrees F (La Niña conditions)

Air temperature - 65 (nighttime low) - 79 (daytime high)

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

Moon phase - Full moon on November 8, 3/4 moon on November 16

Current - up to 1 knot current at Gordon Rocks, and Seymour

Specialty dives - drift and deep dives

Wildlife highlights - Hammerhead sharks, oceanic black-tip sharks, and white-tip reef sharks, schooling mobulas and spotted eagle rays, bottlenose dolphins, marbled stingrays, green sea turtles, Galapagos penguins, marine iguanas, Galapagos sea lions

Trip Reviews

“Price was right, dives were unreal and our leader…the best…I just hope to get on another one in the not-so-distant future!” - Ryan

“We couldn't have asked for a better trip! You, our guides, and the dive sites were unmatched.” - Joy

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.