Information on the Galapagos Live Aboard Diving Cruises

Scientists, naturalists and tourists have explored the Galapagos for decades, but only in the last 20 years it has become a diving destination. And only very recently have divers ventured from the protected bays and inlets to discover true Galapagos diving. That is to say, adventure diving on remote and current-swept islets and rocks where the profusion and concentration of marine life is staggering.

All Galapagos diving is done from smaller dinghies, or pangas, launched from our yachts. Most dives are done as drift dives, where everyone rolls into the water together and the panga driver follows the bubbles along a predeter- mined route. All divers should carry a safety flag which will be available on our yachts. Notice we didn’t say sausage, as the inflatable sausages in Galapagos are not suitable for use. They are made up from segmented PVC plastic with a bungee cord inside, and when extended, they make a rigid solid safety flag. A noise-making device such as a whistle or airhorn would also be a useful device. These accessory items will make it easy for the panga driver to spot you after you surface.

Water temperature depends on time of year, location in the archipelago and the dominant ocean current. It can range from the upper 70s oF to below 60o F (26oC to below 16oC), which is cold for the equator. While diving it is prudent to dress in layers, adding or subtracting another layer of neoprene as necessary.

EACH SITE AND ISLAND HAS ITS OWN FLAVOR
There is a palatable excitement to Galapagos diving. As you suit up and climb into the panga and head out across open water to the dive site, you feel like you’ve just stepped into a Discovery Channel special, or maybe even an early Jacques Cousteau documentary. The anticipation of what lies ahead, just below the surface, makes even the most experienced diver quiver. Each site and island has its own flavor, and everyone has their favorites; Isla Los Lobos famous for the sea lions, Wolf and Darwin where many sharks can be seen or Roca Redonda and Vincente Roca where an encounter with Sun Fish can be expected but regardless of which site you’re on, they’re all exciting.

It’s the sharks that get most people’s attention first. There’s nothing like rolling into the water off the panga into a school of dozens of hammerhead sharks, since they tend to be a little skittish. At some sites, like the northern islands of Darwin and Wolf, you can be caught in a huge school that seems to be unaware of your presence and just sweeps over you, wave after wave of hammerhead sharks going by like a presidential motorcade. Other sharks include the somewhat curious Galapagos shark, zillions of docile white tips and, if you’re lucky, whale sharks. Divers regularly encounter schools of eagle rays “flying by” in close formation, as well as larger and more majestic manta rays. Virtually all the sites are blanketed with clouds of Creole fish and immense schools of jacks. Brightly colored schools of surgeonfish and snappers add a vibrant touch.
Look closer and you’ll find Moorish idols, hieroglyphic hawkfish, panamic fanged blennies and maybe even a red lipped batfish or a brilliant yellow sea horse anchored to an even more brilliant yellow strand of black coral. And sea lions are everywhere in the central region, but not
up North. Combination class clown and schoolyard bully, these sleek torpedoes of strength and grace take great pleasure in showing off. First they’ll rocket in and out of
the blue directly into your face, screeching to a halt just inches in front of your mask, and then with a bubbly bark they’ll swim circles around you until they’re bored and then they’ll chase each other all over the reef. On some dives, you’ll just spin trying to keep track of everything you see. The profusion of marine life can be that dizzying.

GALAPAGOS HAS A FEW PECULIARITIES, TOO
Where else can you snorkel with penguins (yes penguins) on the equator? The little Galapagos penguin stands about a foot tall and is often seen in the cooler waters off the western islands and near the famous and popular Bartolome Puncta on Bartolome Island. Fairly shy, they tend to avoid divers, but the sight of them “flying” through the water at great speed, using their stubby wings for propulsion in pursuit of prey, is comical and memorable. Divers and snorkelers may spot a marine iguana grazing on algae in the shallows.
There’s nothing like the cry of “whale!” to bring you flying up on deck, even from the deepest in between-dive nap. Humpbacks, sperm whales and even orcas are sighted as the liveaboards make the passage from one island to the next. Huge schools of porpoises will divert from their route to frolic in the boat’s bow wave. The louder the guests squeal the higher the dolphins leap.

Diving in Galapagos is a memorable experience and it is certainly one of the 10 worldwide sites that every diver should definitely visit.

Very few boats have obtained permission from the Galapagos National Park authorities to perform these special diving cruises. Most are foreign operators in general from North America.

A cruise could be organised, with a bilingual Ecuadorian PADI instructor, who is moreover a marine biologist, and with a tri-lingual Padi divemaster, scheduled from November 12 to 19, and at a price significantly lower than those charged by the U.S. vessels. An opportunity not to be missed.

GALAPAGOS LIVE ABOARD DIVING CRUISE
SPECIAL DEPARTURE WOLF AND DARWIN ISLANDS – DIVING WITH THE WHALE SHARKS
NOVEMBRE 12th TO 19th, 2011