Galapagos, Ecuador

November 19-27, 2023 - 11 guests

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, and most guests opted for an extra day at Bartolome Island. Some of the signature dives included 2 days at the famous open-water volcanic crater called Gordon Rocks and shallow sand flats abundant with marine creatures large and small.

As predicted by NOAA, El Niño conditions were strong this year and caused warmer than usual sea surface temperatures, which made for very comfortable diving. Although the warm temperatures can have negative effects on certain species that rely on sardines and green algae like sea lions, boobies, penguins and marine iguanas, the warm water provides ideal conditions for sharks. We saw evidence of this in the large numbers of white-tip reef sharks and hammerheads during most of our dives.

Galapagos Dive Safari is an annual trip on the Inside Under calendar. Secure your spot for 2024 here!

Trip Report

Trip type - 8-night land-based dive safari

Inside Under Guide - Alex Lichtblau

Dive operator - Eagle Ray Tours

Accommodations - Hotel Ninfa

# of dives - 10

Visibility - 40-60 feet

Water temperature - 73-75 degrees F (El Niño conditions)

Air temperature - 74 (nighttime low) - 79 (daytime high)

Weather - Generally clear skies, hot days and warm nights

Moon phase - Full moon on November 27

Current - mild, up to 2 knot current at Gordon Rocks

Specialty dives - drift and deep dives

Wildlife highlights - Schooling mobulas and spotted eagle rays, hammerhead sharks, Mola mola, yellowfin tuna, oceanic-black tip sharks, Galapagos sharks, marbled stingrays, green sea turtles, Galapagos penguins, marine iguanas, Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies

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.