Galapagos, Ecuador

November 11 - 19, 2023 - 4 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 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, specifically those who 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 at most of our dive sites.

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 Island Guide - Alex Lichtblau

Dive operator - Eagle Ray Tours

Accommodations - Hotel Ninfa

# of dives - 8

Visibility - 30-50 feet

Water temperature - 74-75 degrees F (El Niño conditions)

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

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

Moon phase - New moon on November 13

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, oceanic-black tip sharks, Galapagos sharks, marbled stingrays, green sea turtles, Galapagos penguins, marine iguanas, Galapagos sea lions, blue-footed boobies

Trips Reviews

“Inside Under put together a great trip, and added value with all the expertise. Alex is a superb guide and master of ceremonies. We would do it again and highly recommend it.”

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.