Galapagos Islands Diving Reveals Richness Of Marine Life
A Galapagos Islands Diving experience is unlike any other aquatic experience on the globe. Divers will be tempted to describe it as ‘richly abundant’ and while that sounds redundant, it isn’t – there’s that much underwater life teaming in the archipelago. Divers discover it cannot be overstated. That is why diving the Galapagos has increased dramatically in the last several years.
Even for the mature diver, descending into the depths can be an astounding experience. From the smallest algae streams, to kelp beds, from fish schools up to the largest marine mammals, divers discover color and form that exists nowhere else. The unusual volcanic formations of the islands themselves prove to be a rich breeding ground from which numerous species have developed and adapted.
The shark population is substantial around the Galapagos Islands. The waters are home to large schools of Hammerheads, White tip and Galapagos Sharks. Galapagos Islands diving showcases several kinds of rays-Mantas, Eagles, and Spotted rays being the most common divers may encounter.
The unusual and nutrient-rich underwater environment is home to the famous Pacific Green Sea Turtles. They are quite large with some of them growing to three feet in length and weighing up to 400 pounds. Even as an endangered species, the Green Sea Turtles remain a force in the ecosystem around the Galapagos Islands.
Several different kinds of whales can also be witnessed from a Galapagos Islands diving perspective. The large Sperm whale, the Orca, and Killer whales slice to the water’s surface around the island chain. Majestically, both underwater and from the water’s edge, these magnificent mammals are a sight to behold during their migrations.
Bottle nosed and White bellied dolphins make the Galapagos waters their home as well. Sluicing through the warm Pacific waters, divers can experience dolphins from the depths in large schools. They have also been seen frequently playing in the bow wave ahead of boats on the waters’ surface.
With several diving providers to choose from, the twenty-year veteran Galapagos Sub-Aqua provides the premiere all-suite Galapagos Explorer cruise line multiple cruise packages each week in the most optimal viewing areas. Academy Bay is one such location as it sustains low current conditions. The area known as Punta Estrada teams with the sea turtles. El Bajo Solma sports magnificent schools of fish, including invertebrates, morays, stingrays, and sharks.
Daphne Islet is also a very popular dive spot for Galapagos Islands diving. Not only are the underwater caves and caverns fascinating to swim amongst, they also provide unusual amounts of protection for certain species to live and hide from predators. The colors of fish and invertebrates are tantalizing both in vibrancy and volume in the volcanic shelf environment.
While the waters around the Galapagos Islands are relatively warm, hovering between 65 and 85 degrees F, wearing a minimum seven mm wetsuit is recommended. All divers must be certified and wait the minimum 24 hours after a flight before their first dive.
A Galapagos Islands diving excursion continues to be one of the quintessential experiences in a divers’ life. Whether one is a novice or a seasoned diver, entering the depths in the archipelago reveals the earth’s natural marine paradise for which the adventure of diving was made.
John Brown is a retired travel agent his top vacations are trips to Hawaii and the experience of Galapagos Island Diving
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