Galápagos Shark — see destinations where it is seen
Carcharhinus galapagensis
Eastern Pacific · Ecuador
Galápagos Islands
Essentials
- Dive difficulty
- Advanced
- By site: Intermediate → Advanced
- Best months
- Jan – Dec
- Access
- Day boat
- Liveaboard required for some sites · 2 documented liveaboard itineraries · no confirmed departure
- Experience & eligibility
- No required certification documented
Wildlife
Documented presence, never a guaranteed sighting.
Green Sea Turtle — see destinations where it is seen
Chelonia mydas
Oceanic Manta Ray — see destinations where it is seen
Mobula birostris
Whale Shark — see destinations where it is seen
Rhincodon typus
Dive sites
Darwin's Arch
- Depth : 12–40m
- Level : Advanced
- Dive type : Drift · Pelagic / blue water
- Access : Liveaboard only · Liveaboard required
- Current : Strong
Main wildlife : Galápagos Shark, Scalloped Hammerhead Shark, Whale Shark
A submerged pinnacle off Darwin Island, in open ocean far from any other landmass — too remote for day trips, reachable only by liveaboard. The… Read moreShow less
A submerged pinnacle off Darwin Island, in open ocean far from any other landmass — too remote for day trips, reachable only by liveaboard. The above-water rock arch itself partially collapsed from natural erosion on 17 May 2021, but the underwater dive site and its wildlife were unaffected. Large schools of scalloped hammerheads, regular whale sharks (Jun-Nov), and resident Galápagos sharks are documented here.
Gordon Rocks
- Depth : 5–30m
- Level : Intermediate
- Dive type : Drift · Reef
- Access : Day boat · Reachable without a liveaboard
A partially-submerged volcanic crater rim off Santa Cruz, reachable by day boat from Puerto Ayora — no liveaboard needed. Strong currents and a real… Read moreShow less
A partially-submerged volcanic crater rim off Santa Cruz, reachable by day boat from Puerto Ayora — no liveaboard needed. Strong currents and a real minimum-experience bar (operators typically require at least 30 logged dives) make this a meaningfully different, more moderate tier of Galápagos diving than Darwin/Wolf, not merely "the same but cheaper".
Landslide (El Derrumbe)
- Depth : 15–35m
- Level : Advanced
- Dive type : Drift · Pelagic / blue water
- Access : Liveaboard only · Liveaboard required
- Current : Strong
Main wildlife : Galápagos Shark, Oceanic Manta Ray, Scalloped Hammerhead Shark
A current-swept descending slope on the southeast side of Wolf Island, reachable only by liveaboard alongside Darwin. Scalloped hammerhead and… Read moreShow less
A current-swept descending slope on the southeast side of Wolf Island, reachable only by liveaboard alongside Darwin. Scalloped hammerhead and Galápagos sharks are regularly documented here; giant oceanic manta rays are present in season (Dec-May); whale sharks pass through occasionally but far less predictably than at Darwin.
When to go
Choose a month
Documented best months
Conditions in Jan
Water23–26°C
VisibilityNot documented
CurrentNot documented
In season this month: Oceanic Manta Ray
Water temperature: NOAA OISST satellite sea-surface normals (2020–2024, typical range for the month). It can be cooler at depth or below a thermocline — check with your operator for exposure protection.
How to dive here
Real dive operators and their published trip options for this destination — DiveFinder does not sell or book these; continue on the operator's own site.
10-Night Extended Darwin & Wolf Itinerary
Galapagos Sky · Liveaboard operator
Price not published
package price
Fixed expedition10 nightsDeparts from San Cristobal (Galapagos Sky departure port)Vessel: Galapagos Sky
Accommodation · IncludedDiving · IncludedFlights · Not includedNitrox · Included
Advanced Open Water · required
50+ logged dives required
Source: Galapagos Sky (galapagossky.com) ·
7-Night Darwin & Wolf Itinerary
Galapagos Sky · Liveaboard operator
Price not published
package price
Fixed expedition7 nightsDeparts from San Cristobal (Galapagos Sky departure port)Vessel: Galapagos Sky
Accommodation · IncludedDiving · IncludedFlights · Not includedMandatory park fee · Not includedNitrox · Included
Advanced Open Water · required
50+ logged dives required
Source: Galapagos Sky (galapagossky.com) ·