1 hour ago
Just got back from the most intense, humbling, and utterly mind-blowing dive trip of my life. If you've ever thought about diving the Galapagos, stop thinking and just book it. It’s not a dive trip; it’s an evolution.
I did the 7-night liveaboard itinerary, and if you’re serious about big animals, the only way to do it is with a dedicated dive boat to reach the remote northern sites. For anyone looking to take the plunge, start your research here: Galapagos liveaboard diving.
Wolf & Darwin: The Shark Factory
Let’s be honest, everyone goes to the Galapagos for Wolf and Darwin Islands, and they are worth the 14-hour overnight crossing. The conditions are challenging—strong, unpredictable currents, variable visibility (we had about 10-15m), and thermoclines that bite. You need to be an experienced, comfortable diver (50+ dives minimum, ideally 100+).
But the payoff... It’s Shark Week, live and unedited.
On our very first dive at El Derrumbe at Wolf Island, we dropped down, grabbed a rocky ledge at 25m, and just waited. Within minutes, the first massive school of scalloped hammerheads cruised past. It wasn’t a handful; it was a swirling, dense grey cloud filling the blue above and below us. They were close enough to count their gills, maybe 500, maybe more.
Darwin’s Arch (or what remains of it) was even better. We had a pod of playful dolphins join us on two separate dives, circling us playfully during our safety stop—it felt like a scene from a movie. And yes, in the middle of a massive current, we saw the slow, majestic shadow of a Whale Shark. The gentle giant passed by, completely unbothered by the chaos of the ocean or the group of stunned divers anchored to the rock.
The Endemic Wonders
It’s easy to focus only on the giants, but the smaller, unique moments are just as magic:
Who else has been? What was your most unforgettable encounter?
I did the 7-night liveaboard itinerary, and if you’re serious about big animals, the only way to do it is with a dedicated dive boat to reach the remote northern sites. For anyone looking to take the plunge, start your research here: Galapagos liveaboard diving.
Wolf & Darwin: The Shark Factory
Let’s be honest, everyone goes to the Galapagos for Wolf and Darwin Islands, and they are worth the 14-hour overnight crossing. The conditions are challenging—strong, unpredictable currents, variable visibility (we had about 10-15m), and thermoclines that bite. You need to be an experienced, comfortable diver (50+ dives minimum, ideally 100+).
But the payoff... It’s Shark Week, live and unedited.
On our very first dive at El Derrumbe at Wolf Island, we dropped down, grabbed a rocky ledge at 25m, and just waited. Within minutes, the first massive school of scalloped hammerheads cruised past. It wasn’t a handful; it was a swirling, dense grey cloud filling the blue above and below us. They were close enough to count their gills, maybe 500, maybe more.
Darwin’s Arch (or what remains of it) was even better. We had a pod of playful dolphins join us on two separate dives, circling us playfully during our safety stop—it felt like a scene from a movie. And yes, in the middle of a massive current, we saw the slow, majestic shadow of a Whale Shark. The gentle giant passed by, completely unbothered by the chaos of the ocean or the group of stunned divers anchored to the rock.
The Endemic Wonders
It’s easy to focus only on the giants, but the smaller, unique moments are just as magic:
- Marine Iguanas: Diving at Cabo Douglas and watching those little dinosaurs munch on algae underwater. It’s hilariously awkward and absolutely unique to the Galapagos.
- Sea Lions: They are the puppies of the ocean. Inquisitive, nipping at your fins, and performing barrel rolls in front of your mask.
- Mola Mola: We were lucky enough to spot one of these giant sunfish near Punta Vicente Roca—a truly bizarre and beautiful creature.
Who else has been? What was your most unforgettable encounter?