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The Galapagos Islands are located
on the Equator, 600 miles off the west coast and part of Ecuador. Visitors will experience unique encounters with
prolific wildlife both topside and underwater. The waters surrounding the islands become the meeting point of three
distinctive oceanic currents which result in a bizarre mix of warm and cold water species. Sharks, sea lions and
turtles can be seen on nearly every dive. Topside, you'll see flamingos, penguins, giant tortoises, sea lions,
blue footed boobies, iguanas, and a whole lot more. Many of these animals are unique to the islands, found no where
else in the world. Most remain unafraid of human visitors; making for incredible photo opportunities.
Dive sites are usually not located adjacent to the main islands. The most exciting diving is found around smaller,
isolated rock pinnacles which rise abruptly from the water's surface. These rock croppings act like a magnet to
attract a wide variety of marine life. All dive sites are accessed by means of a short ride by inflatable boat.
Vertical walls, ledges, shelves, submerged boulders, and sand chutes are all part of the underwater topography.
Hammerheads, Galapagos, and reef sharks are sighted daily. Dolphin, Orcas, and other whale species are often spotted
from the boat. In shallow areas, divers can delight in the playful antics of the sea lions.
MARINE RESERVE
After several attempts to protect the surrounding waters, in March 13, 1996, the Galapagos Marine Reserve was declared
with 70.000 square Km. and 1.400 Km of coast.
In 1990 shark fishing was prohibited
In 1992 the Galapagos was declared a "Whale's Sanctuary".
In 1985 United Nations declared the Galapagos a "Reserve of the Biosphere"
In 1989 CEDAM Intl. Declared the Galapagos islands "One of the seven underwater wonders of the world"
In 2001 The islands were declared "Natural Heritage"
DIVING CONDITIONS AT THE GALAPAGOS
Galapagos Islands scuba diving isn´t necessarily for real beginner divers. We recommend it for mid-level
to advanced divers, especially for certain areas. Dive shops will advise you on the conditions at that time and
can suggest less strenuous itineraries for beginners. Diving conditions at the Galapagos are considered medium
to hard due to the currents, depth and shape of the dive sites, temperatures and fauna. However, for those of you
who want to get your PADI certificate, there's no better place than the Galapagos. Even in the waters near the
islands, will give you the chance to swim with sea lions, watch mantas, look out for flounders, colorful fish,
and perhaps even dodge the hungry nibbles of a Blue Footed Booby, diving for its mid-morning snack.
GALAPAGOS TEMPERATURES The range of surface temperature of the sea is from 18ºC to 30ºC. September to
November are the coldest months, and February to April the warmest. Thermoclines are present, between 10 to 30
meters depth ( 30 to 100 feet) and the temperature can drop from one to five degrees Celsius. Galapagos Islands
scuba diving shops will supply divers with wet suits and appropriate gear for the temperatures.
CURRENTS You will probably dive in the Galápagos in medium to strong currents. We understand medium currents
to be between one and three knots (between 1 and 4 miles/hour or between 2 and 6 Km./hour), and strong currents
are more than three knots (more than 4 miles/hour or 6 Km./hour).
Galapagos diving can be tricky if you are caught in an unexpected current on the surface. Just relax, get positive
bouyancy and call the boat. If you are in a group, get close together. In the garúa season (from July to
December) the Humboldt current coming from the southeast is present. In the warm season ( from January to June)
the Panamá current from the northeast arrives in the Galápagos.
GALAPAGOS VISIBILITY couldn't be better! 100 feet or 30 meters often is present in the Galápagos waters.
You shall expect a visibility from 50 to 80 feet or 15 to 25 meters in most of the places. In some areas and in
some seasons due to the richness of phytoplankton, green waters are present. This planktonic algae is the first
step in the trophic chain and is necessary to sustain all marine life at the islands.
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Dive Services/Accommodations
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Galapagos Nautidiving
Av.
Charles Darwin
Puerto Ayora
Galapagos
Ecuador
Tel.: 593 52 527 004
Fax.: 593 52 527 004
E-Mail: info@nautidiving.com
Web: http://www.nautidiving.com
Nautidiving
is a dynamic and flexible company that guarantees superior
customer service and a safe, enjoyable diving experience.
Nautidiving is the premier dive center for scuba instruction
in the Galapagos. We offer land based and liveaboard vacations,
PADI courses, and cruises to Darwin and Wolf.
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Travel Information
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Getting There
There are two airlines that fly to the islands, AEROGAL and TAME.
FLIGHTS TO BALTRA, GALAPAGOS (SANTA CRUZ, OR PUERTO AYORA)
Airline: TAME MONDAY TO SUNDAY, EVERYDAY
QUITO - BALTRA FLIGHT 191, EVERYDAY
Quito - 7:30 | Baltra (GPS) - 9:30
QUITO - BALTRA FLIGHT 193, EVERYDAY
Quito - 9:30 | Baltra (GPS) - 11:30
BALTRA - QUITO , FLIGHT 190, EVERYDAY
Baltra (GPS) - 10:15 | Quito - 14:45
BALTRA - QUITO , FLIGHT 192, EVERYDAY
Baltra (GPS) - 12:15 | Quito - 16:15
Vuelo 190 (Viernes) opera via San Cristobal
GUAYAQUIL - BALTRA, FLIGHT 191, EVERYDAY
Guayaquil 09:00 | Baltra (GPS) - 09:30
GUAYAQUIL - BALTRA, FLIGHT 193, EVERYDAY
Guayaquil 11:00 | Baltra (GPS) - 11:30
BALTRA-GUAYAQUIL , FLIGHT 190,
Baltra (GPS) - 10:15 | Guayaquil - 12:45
BALTRA-GUAYAQUIL , FLIGHT 192, EVERYDAY
Baltra (GPS) - 12:15 | Guayaquil - 14:45
Airline: AEROGAL TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY B-727
QUITO -GUAYAQUIL-BALTRA
Quito - 8:15 | Guayaquil - 09:00
Guayaquil - 09:30 | Baltra (GPS) - 10:10
BALTRA-GUAYAQUIL-QUITO
Baltra (GPS) - 10:40 | Guayaquil - 13:20
Guayaquil - 13:55 | Quito - 14:40
Airline: AEROGAL SUNDAY B-737
QUITO -GUAYAQUIL-BALTRA
Quito - 8:45 | Guayaquil - 09:30
Guayaquil - 10:15 | Baltra (GPS) - 10:55
BALTRA-GUAYAQUIL-QUITO ,
Baltra (GPS) - 11:40 | Guayaquil - 14:20
Guayaquil - 15:30 | Quito - 16:15
FLIGHTS TO SAN CRISTOBAL (PUERTO BAQUERIZO MORENO)
Airline: TAME MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY
QUITO - SAN CRISTOBAL FLIGHT 191 FRIDAY
Quito - 07:30 | San Cristobal (GPS) - 10:45
QUITO - SAN CRISTOBAL FLIGHT 195 WEDNESDAY
Quito - 10:00 | San Cristobal (GPS) - 12:00
SAN CRISTOBAL - QUITO , FLIGHT 190 FRIDAY
San Cristobal (GPS) - 11:30 | Quito - 15:30
SAN CRISTOBAL - QUITO FLIGHT 194 WEDNESDAY
San Cristobal (GPS) - 12:45 | Quito - 16:45
GUAYAQUIL-SAN CRISTOBAL , FLIGHT 195 WEDNESDAY
Guayaquil - 11:30 | San Cristobal (GPS) - 12:00
GUAYAQUIL-SAN CRISTOBAL , FLIGHT 191 FRIDAY
Guayaquil - 09:00 | San Cristobal (GPS) - 10:45
SAN CRISTOBAL - GUAYAQUIL, FLIGHT 194 WEDNESDAY
San Cristobal (GPS) - 12:45 | Guayaquil - 15:15
SAN CRISTOBAL - GUAYAQUIL, FLIGHT 190 FRIDAY
San Cristobal (GPS) - 11:30 | Guayaquil - 14:00
 Airline: AEROGAL MONDAY, THURSDAY AND SUNDAY B-727
QUITO -GUAYAQUIL-SCY
Quito - 8:15 | Guayaquil - 09:00
Guayaquil - 09:30 | San Cristobal (GPS) - 10:10
SCY-GUAYAQUIL-QUITO
San Cristobal (GPS) - 10:40 | Guayaquil - 13:20
Guayaquil - 13:55 | Quito - 14:40
PRICES:
PASSENGERS: Adults.
Price Round trip: QUITO-GALAPAGOS-QUITO 390 US$ per person.
Price Round trip: GUAYAQUIL-GALAPAGOS-GUAYAQUIL 345 US$ per person.
PASSENGERS: Child (12 Years).
Price Round trip: QUITO-GALAPAGOS-QUITO 198 US$ per person.
Price Round trip: GUAYAQUIL-GALAPAGOS-GUAYAQUIL 175 US$ per person.
LOW SEASON PRICES : MAY 01 TO JUNE 14 AND SEPT 15 TO OCT 30:
PASSENGERS: Adults.
Price Round trip: QUITO-GALAPAGOS-QUITO 334 US$ per person.
Price Round trip: GUAYAQUIL-GALAPAGOS-GUAYAQUIL 300 US$ per person.
PASSENGERS: Child (12 Years).
Price Round trip: QUITO-GALAPAGOS-QUITO 170 US$ per person.
Price Round trip: GUAYAQUIL-GALAPAGOS-GUAYAQUIL 153 US$ per person.
20 Kg. per passenger
Travel Tips
All travelers must have a passport valid for at least six months before arriving in Ecuador. They must also have
a return ticket to their country of origin or to another destination. Citizens of the following countries require
a visa to enter Ecuador: Algeria, Bangladesh, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Honduras, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, North
and South Korea , Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Vietnam, and
Yemen. To enter the country, visitors must fill in an international embarkation –disembarkation form. It is important
to keep it with your passport. Travelers should have their passports with them during their stay in Ecuador to
avoid problems with the authorities who may want to see it. A copy is not acceptable. Those who wish to stay in
the country longer than 90 days have to fill out the corresponding paperwork in an Ecuadorian Consulate. If the
traveler enters Ecuador as a tourist it is not possible to change visa status while they are in the country. |
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