Drift Diving in the Galapagos

It’s no secret that the Galapagos is a dream destination for most divers. It boasts incredibly biodiverse waters that are home to a huge range of marine life. From penguins and mola molas, to large congregations of hammerhead sharks, the Galapagos Islands are filled with rare and unique species. What many don’t realise is that the islands lie in the centre of three currents - the Humboldt Current, the Panama Flow and the Cromwell Current, so naturally drift diving in the Galapagos is fantastic. Luckily, the island’s dive sites aren’t restricted to expert divers, with a range of spots for novice and advanced drift divers. Here are our top picks for drift diving in the Galapagos…

North Seymour

North Seymour is a great spot for both beginners and advanced divers, although at times the current can be strong. The dive site consists of a rocky reef that gradually tails off to a sandy bottom between 16 and 18 metres deep. It's a great spot for seeing black and whitetip reef sharks, as well as turtles, spotted eagle rays and large schools of fish.

Mosquera

Mosquera is spot for drift diving in the Galapagos that we recommend for inexperienced divers. The currents are usually mild to moderate, making it a fun little drift dive for all levels. The site, which is between Seymour and the Baltra Islands, has a sandy bottom between 15 and 18 metres deep as well as a rocky drop-off at around 21 metres. It's a great spot for seeing hammerhead sharks, as well as curious sea lions, turtles and a variety of rays.

Gordon Rocks

We recommend Gordon Rocks for advanced drift diving in the Galapagos. Although the currents can be calm from time to time, they are usually strong, making the site unsuitable for newer divers. The site is an old volcano crater with three exposed rocks, three pinnacles and a sandy bottom at 32 metres. The site's swirling currents make it a hotspot for schooling hammerhead sharks - one of the main draws of visiting the Galapagos, however, there's all kinds of other wildlife in the area, from blacktip reef sharks and turtles, to eagle rays.

Cabo Douglas

If we had to name our favourite spot for drift diving in the Galapagos, it would have to be Cabo (Cape) Douglas. This dive site, on the northwest of Fernandina Island, is the epitome of diving in the Galapagos, with a jaw-dropping variety of creatures found nowhere else on Earth. It's a moderate drift dive with the opportunity to dive among the infamous Galapagos marine iguanas and Galapagos penguins.

With so many incredible dive sites, it's no surprise that drift diving in the Galapagos is on many diver's bucket lists. If you're thinking about a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Galapagos, get in touch with a member of our team who can help create your dream itinerary.