El Arco, Darwin Island – This site could well show up on anyone’s list of the world’s top 10 dive sites. Divers regularly encounter schooling hammerheads, whale sharks and spotted eagle rays along with prowling Galapagos and silky sharks. It’s accessible only by liveaboard and one dive strategy is to simply hold your position underwater and let the pelagic show cruise by.
El Arenal, Darwin Island – Darwin’s Arch is a distinctive stone arch above the water and this dive site slopes off the arch. The site abounds with marine life. Big-eye jacks along with hammerhead, blacktip and whale sharks all frequent the area.
Roca Redonda, Isabela Island – Off the north coast of Isabela, this dive site is the tip of an underwater volcano that rises from the sea floor and emerges as an island. You’ll find Galapagos sharks, schools of hammerhead sharks and barracudas. As you dive around the rocks and pinnacle, you’ll probably be accompanied by sea lions and may find sea horses in the shallows.
Cape Douglas, Fernandina Island – This dive site is a great spot to watch penguins “fly” past. Done as a drift dive, you can also see fur seals and Galapagos sea lions mingling with munching marine iguanas.
Pitt Point, San Cristobal Island – This dive site is an exposed rock at the most northeasterly point of the island. You’ll likely bump into schools of snapper, grunt and jacks. You may also see diving boobies while underwater.
Camaño Islet, Santa Cruz Island – This is a usually calm spot outside Academy Bay that allows you to see groupers, batfish, sea horses, sea lions, and sharks. You may get lucky and spot marine iguanas as they dive beneath the waves in search of food.
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