Diving Holidays from Ultimate Diving

0208 655 6456

Dive Holiday Advice and Booking

Opening Hours: M-F 9:30-18:00 / S 10:00-17:00

Welcome Guest -
Sign Up|
Log In

FeaturesAir TempWater Temp

	Hammerheads
	Eagle rays
	Whalesharks
	Wildlife excursions
	Advanced divers
	Trip of a lifetime

Air Temperature Chart

Water Temperature Chart

Galapagos Islands Diving Holidays

If Carlsberg made dive locations, this would probably be one of theirs.

This legendary Ecuadorian diving destination is often considered by experienced divers to represent something of a pinnacle in their diving careers. In that sense, many agree that the Galapagos Islands have, quite simply, the best liveaboard diving cruises in the world, plus incredible non-diving wildlife adventure cruises. Such is the range of creatures, that it is difficult to avoid lists when discussing Galapagos scuba diving. Imagining a dive holiday i...

Read More

Preferences :

DestinationsHotelsLiveaboards (3)HolidaysFact File

Favourites

Oops! We don't have any results for your selection...

Why did this happen?

- You may have selected too many preference filters.

- Your departure date may not be flexbile enough. Try a broader search.

- No liveaboards may be available in the destination.

- No shore based holidays may be available in the destination.

We aim to have as much availability loaded to our system. If you cannot find what you are looking for give us a call on 0208 655 6452 and one of our team will check availability for you.

Humboldt Explorer

Your underwater adventures in the Galapagos will encompass everything from sharks to nudibranchs, and more. The Humboldt Explorer offers a fantastic diving experience. Unforgettable adventure guaranteed!

Special Features

Max 16 guests

Full Board basis including alcohol

Suitable for Open Water Divers

Up to 3 dives per day

Choice of Cabin Types

Hammerhead Sharks & Whale Sharks

Prices from

£2,670

Liveaboard only

View Liveaboard

The Darwin Buddy allows you to experience the finest diving on one of the best diving destinations in the world in a smooth, stylish, spacious and comfortable environment.

Special Features

NITROX included

Maximum 16 guests

Spacious dive deck

3 dives a day

Breeding Centre Tour

Spacious sun deck & jacuzzi

Prices from

£2,797

Liveaboard only

View Liveaboard

Galapagos Aggressor I & II

What has to be the most renowned place for diving with the big stuff. The Galapagos Aggressor makes a trip to remember. Quality service, guides and an overall above standard experience.

Special Features

Max 14 guests / up to 4 dives per day

Most suitable for advanced divers

Pelagic fish inc Hammerheads

Visit Wolf and Darwin dive sites

Take in above water excursions

Book well in advance as trips fill up

Prices from

£3,229

Liveaboard only

View Liveaboard

Oops! We don't have any results for your selection...

Why did this happen?

- You may have selected too many preference filters.

- Your departure date may not be flexbile enough. Try a broader search.

- No liveaboards may be available in the destination.

- No shore based holidays may be available in the destination.

We aim to have as much availability loaded to our system. If you cannot find what you are looking for give us a call on 0208 655 6452 and one of our team will check availability for you.

This legendary Ecuadorian diving destination is often considered by experienced divers to represent something of a pinnacle in their diving careers. In that sense, many agree that the Galapagos Islands have, quite simply, the best liveaboard diving cruises in the world, plus incredible non-diving wildlife adventure cruises. Such is the range of creatures, that it is difficult to avoid lists when discussing Galapagos scuba diving. Imagining a dive holiday involving sea lions, penguins, eagle rays, Galapagos sharks, turtles, hammerhead sharks, iguanas, golden rays, seals and whale sharks is a phenomenal experience. These encounters, which are at once educational and exciting, make the appeal of the archipelago obvious.

While many places have superior reefs, sea conditions and ease of accessibility, there is no other island chain here, the area is in a huge protected marine reserve and virtually free of commercial fishing, and the waters are densely populated by a vast and disparate array of marine creatures. Since the Galapagos are volcanic oceanic islands, unconnected to the continent, deep sea upwelling’s make the waters rich in nutrients and therefore thriving with life.

Learning about evolution by natural selection in a place where the evidence is so compelling and where historically, the Galapagos Islands played such a major role in the development of Darwin's revolutionary thinking is truly a unique experience. To do so in a place where each dive promises extraordinary sightings is nothing short of a ‘must do once in a lifetime’ experience for any semi-serious diver.

Diving Season

There are 2 seasons in the Galapagos Islands: Wet and Dry. They fade into each other so there is no strict dividing line but they can be generally characterised as follows:

January to June is wet season with sunny spells either side of the brief showers which can occur daily. This period has warmer water temperatures generally fluctuating between 20 - 28°C during this time. Dry season, more or less from July to December, sees less rain but is also cooler above and below the waters. Water temperatures in dry season are usually 16 - 23°C.

The wisest course of action is to come prepared with exposure suits for a range of temperatures. Marine conditions are variable and it is better to be over-prepared than under-prepared when scuba diving in Ecuador.

Often whale shark season is emphasised as the best time to come (June to November). However, many of those in the know contend that January to May, with warm water and sunny skies, offer the most pleasant all round Galapagos diving experience. This period seems to produce better sightings of creatures other than the whale shark, including a greater chance of manta ray encounters and the best hammerhead shark action.

Top Dive Sites:

“Wolf Island Caves” - It is easy to exaggerate in the world of scuba diving. One can forget the boring phases of a dive and focus only on the positive. One can make them sound more fascinating on paper than they may have been in reality. Not this dive site. Words seem inadequate. Listing creatures certainly won't do justice to this parade of aquatic wonder.

As with all dive sites around Wolf Island there are going to be sharks and turtles; that is a given. There may also be eagle rays and dolphins. Yet this is a site whose backdrop is a series of swim-throughs and a cave which would be fun enough to explore anywhere. When you consider that on exiting each one you could be greeted by hammerheads, white-tip reef sharks or eagle rays, it dawns on you that you are, undeniably, scuba diving in the Galapagos Islands. Where else can you even struggle to pay attention to the briefing when there are dozens of dolphins breaching all around the boat? Bottle-nose dolphins are around Wolf in huge numbers, so you have every chance to see them playing near the surface or even indulging in some carnal shenanigans.

“Darwin Island” ¬- The northernmost island of the Galapagos chain is, together with nearby Wolf Island, the focal point of any dive trip to the Galapagos and no serious liveaboard will neglect this area. Surface conditions and current can be tricky here; water temperatures tend to hover around the low-to-mid 20s. There are therefore some warmer water species here. You can expect to see trumpetfish, trevally barracuda. Parrotfish, angelfish, surgeonfish and the delightful racoon butterflyfish are also frequently present, adding a dash of colour to the sites.

However it is for the breathtaking Galapagos Islands diving that Darwin is famed. Your breath may be taken away by the sight of vast schools of hammerheads or close encounters with individuals plus eagle rays, Galapagos sharks and turtles. These sites can be so thick with action that it is difficult to recall all the species that have come into view but mackerels, manta rays and even dolphins might put in an appearance. If you are lucky you might have an encounter with a whale shark, especially between the months of June and October.

It is said that there is only one dive site at Darwin and admittedly the starting point is always the same, in the region where the famous Darwin arch is located.

There will likely follow a succession of hammerheads, some distant, some very close weaving their way through the current. This dive gives you a great chance to really look at them in close proximity and marvel at their curious beauty.

On quiet times you can look at the little hawkfish and blennies in and around the rocky slope while the occasional Galapagos shark and pelagic fish species may put in a brief show in the blue. But this is really a one creature dive. It is all about the hammerhead sharks. You won't be finning around anywhere until it is time to let go and be whisked away through and up the water column to your safety stop. Here, a couple of playful sea lions might flash past your eyes and frolic around the hanging divers.

Butterflyfish and angelfish are numerous as are a variety of wrasses, damsels and anthias. Also look out for lobsters lurking in the crevices. This can feel much more like a warm water dive than any of the other dive sites in the Galapagos Islands. Of course behind these brightly coloured fish flitting to and fro you will see the large ominous shapes of Galapagos sharks and hammerheads.

As is a feature of diving in the Galapagos Islands, your safety stop is not an exercise in mundanely watching your 3 minutes tick down. If there are not sea lions to amuse you then there may be dolphins swimming by, close enough to make meaningful eye contact, and make your heart sing.

Hundreds of garden eels stretch up from their burrows and starfish are scattered all around the sea-bed. You can expect inquisitive turtles and juvenile moray eels to also be among the marine life investigating the substrate. Sticking close to the sea bed, you will be looking up to see the hammerheads, Galapagos sharks and if you are lucky, the imposing mass of a passing whale shark.

Darwin is clearly not an area for beginners. Current, choppy seas, jagged rocks and more may be enough to spook the less experienced diver. Those with good buoyancy, who are comfortable in the water and have done a few dives in differing conditions, will be too distracted by the outrageous marine action to notice anything else.

“Vincente Roca” - If any dive site in the Galapagos is going to test whether you brought enough equipment with you to withstand the cold, it is Vincente Roca, located on the north-eastern tip of the island of Isabela. Temperatures can get down into the teens here and an icy blast will greet you as soon as you roll in. The chill will stay with you until you emerge, so wear your hood and everything else you brought with you.

In most places this level of cold would mean an unpleasant experience. Not so in Galapagos. As if showcasing the archipelago's diversity, this Galapagos dive site offers up a whole range of creatures vastly different to those you will have seen before. Mola Mola are frequently sited here sometimes several moving their curious forms around with their two main fins above and below their bodies.

Dropping down to a sandy floor at around 18 to 22m you will be on the look out for red-lipped batfish resting on the sea floor. Bringing a light along will really bring out the bright red colour of their eponymous lips. They may scuttle away over the sand with their leg-like fins much to the fascination of anyone watching.

Rising up from the sandy floor, you will fin along a wall with ridges, grooves and ledges all worth checking out. It also takes your mind off the cold to hunt around for the spider crabs and slipper lobsters and morays that live in the crevices. Cleaner shrimps are about and will crawl over anyone with the courage to expose the flesh of their hand.

Also look out for the rare horn shark, aka the Galapagos bullhead shark, on this dive - a small blotchy reef shark. Sea horse and even penguins add to the riotous fun of this chilly playground. Sea lions can be in playful form here, and you may even be treated to their antics of pestering a pufferfish, fully extended for its own protection as the sea lions prod and poke it just for fun.

You have not selected any favourites yet...

Favourites is a functionality on our new website. As you browse you can add anything you see to your favourites tab. You can then return to the website at any time and easily find what you were looking for.

If you have signed up then your favourites will be visible on any computer.

This is a great way to save time and create your wish list.

You never know you may even get a special offer through for one of your favourites as we know what you are interested in so can direct the most appropriate deals to you.

You can favourite; destinations, regions, hotels, liveaboards and date based holidays and specific departures you are interested in.

All in all you save time, have more fun and using the cool new preferences find trips you may not have considered before.

We hope you enjoy our new website!!

Diving Images

Destination Images

Destination Videos

Destination Map

Rays

Rays

Sea Turtles

White Whale Shark

Sea Lions

Golden Ray

Galapagos Sharks

Hammerheads

Sea Lion

Sea Horse

Sea Turtle and Divers

Whale Shark and Diver

Marine Iguana

Marine Iguana

Pinnacle Rock

Galapagos Turtle

Sun Set

Puerto Ayora Landscape

San Cristobal Beach

Galapagos Pinguins

Galapagos Waters

Landscape

Rock Landscape

Darwin Arch

Sealions

Iguana

Scenary

Scenary

Panoramic View of Quito

Ecuator Line

Quito Squares

Quito Monuments

Galapagos Aggressor Liveaboard

Some of our customers favourites...

Left

Right

Darwin Buddy

Darwin Buddy

Galapagos Islands

Prices from

£2,797

Humboldt

Humboldt Explorer

Galapagos Islands

Prices from

£2,670

Boat

Galapagos Aggressor I & II

Galapagos Islands

Prices from

£3,229

Boat

M/Y King Snefro 5

Red Sea

Prices from

£276

Boat

MY Ghazala l

Red Sea

Prices from

£385

MY Blue Plannet I

MY Blue Planet I

Red Sea

Prices from

£536

MY Blue Pearl

MY Blue Pearl

Red Sea

Prices from

£560

Boat

M/Y Emperor Asmaa

Red Sea

Prices from

£565

MY Blue Seas

MY Blue Seas

Red Sea

Prices from

£597

Our Destinations

Book With Confidence

ATOL bonded holidays
Your money is deposited into a Trust Account
Protection from being stranded abroad
All monies 100% secured by TTA Trustees
Travel Trust Member

Affiliations

For more information on the cookies the Ultimate Diving website stores in your browser, please read our privacy and cookies policy.