7 replies to this topic

[WreckWench]

SingleDivers.com has done a liveaboard in Galapagos and will return to this amazing country to dive. Other members have been here and loved it and some said it was interesting but would not return. Some have done land based ops and others swear you have to go via liveaboard.

So let's build out a Member's Guide to Diving Galapagos!

Where have you been?
Who did you use as an operator?
Would it be suited for a large group like SD or better for small groups of individuals?
What did you see?
When did you go?
What kinds of conditions?
And did you do any land tours? If so tell us about them as well!

[soonerdiver]

Where have you been? We did three days of diving out of Puerto Ayora on the island of Santa Cruz. We dove Gordon Rocks, Seymour, Daphne, Cousin Rocks and Bartholomew.
Who did you use as an operator? Galapagos Sub-aqua Diving.
Would it be suited for a large group like SD or better for small groups of individuals? The boat we went on could hold maybe 10 divers. Don't know if they had a bigger one.

What did you see? Hammer Heads, White tips, Eagle Rays, Galapagos Sharks, Penguins, Turtles and Sea Lions. Not the big schools like you hear about at Wolf and Darwin though.
When did you go? April-May 2008.
What kinds of conditions? Good enough.
And did you do any land tours? If so tell us about them as well! We did an 8 day cruise on the SEAMAN II with two land tours each day and snorkeling in between. We didn't have the time to do all the land tours we wanted and a liveaboard dive boat so we concentrated on the land tours. Which I'm glad we did because it was amazing. I can't imagine going there for the 1^st time just to dive because there is just so much to see. Don't get me wrong I would like to dive Darwin and Wolf on a liveaboard if I go back.

[WreckWench]

SoonerDiver...that was great! Just what we were looking for! -ww

[Starfish Sandy]

Where have you been? Gordons Rock, North Seymour, Cousins Rock, Darwin and Wolf
Who did you use as an operator? Peter Hughes - Sky Dancer
Would it be suited for a large group like SD or better for small groups of individuals? Yes
What did you see? Hammer Heads, White tips, Galapagos sharks, Manta Rays, Eagle Rays, Fur seals, Penguins, Turtles, eels, and Whale sharks - a pregnant one too!
When did you go? December 2009
What kinds of conditions? rough - rough - rough - I got sea sick every night - missed most dinners. The crossing to Wolf/Darwin is a killer.
And did you do any land tours? If so tell us about them as well! We did two land tours - one to see the Sally Lightfoots, iguanas and the sea lions and the other was to the Galapagos turtle place.

[WreckWench]

Thank you Sandy...when we went in October our crossing was great but Darwin and Wolfe are worth the crossing no matter how it is!

[Landlocked Dive Nut]

I wonder if the Wench has ever been afflicted with a bad case of mal-de-mer? When you have it bad, you are absolutely miserable!

[WreckWench]

Oh I have...I am known as the Queen of Green...why do you think I know so much about seasickness meds? I was deathly afraid of that crossing but we were blessed and had a great crossing with no reports of seasickness. My point was the crossing is not always bad...but when it is...it really is. And I am sorry that Sandy had such a bad one. But I think she would agree it was worth it for the amazing marine life at Darwin and Wolfe.

[TexasDiver]

I'm going February 12th. What thickness wetsuit ought I take?