The Ultimate Dive Guide to Ecuador

Ecuador offers some incredible places for diving, with two standout locations: the Galápagos Islands and Isla de la Plata. Here’s a personal account of my experiences diving in these remarkable spots, complete with tips and insights to help you plan your own adventure.

The Galápagos Islands: A Diver’s Paradise

The Galápagos Islands are world-famous for their wildlife, both above and below the water. Diving here is like stepping into a nature documentary, with encounters that will leave you in awe. Diving in the Galápagos is a mix of local dives and liveaboard adventures. To experience the best sites, such as Wolf and Darwin, a liveaboard is essential. Local sites like Cousins Rock, Gordon Rocks, and Kicker Rock offer a good chance to see schooling hammerhead sharks, Galápagos sharks, and playful sea lions.

You will find more about diving the iconic Galápagos islands in our extensive diving guide!

World-Famous Dive Sites: Wolf and Darwin

Accessible only by liveaboards, Wolf and Darwin Islands are a diver’s dream. These sites promise walls of hammerhead sharks, massive whale sharks, and playful sea lions. The abundance of marine life is overwhelming, making every dive a spectacular event.

Galapagos’ Local Dive Sites

Closer to the main islands, you’ll find fantastic dive sites like Cousins Rock, Gordon Rocks, and Kicker Rock. These locations offer the chance to see various shark species, including hammerheads, and an array of colorful fish. While luck plays a role, the underwater scenes are often stunning.

Isla de la Plata: The Poor Man’s Galápagos

Known as the “Poor Man’s Galápagos,” Isla de la Plata might not be as famous as its counterpart, but it holds its own underwater magic. Located near Puerto Lopez, this island is a gem for divers. Diving around Puerto Lopez and Isla de la Plata presents a different charm. Local dives around Salango Island and Isla de la Plata showcase vibrant coral formations, manta rays, schools of fish, and sea turtles. These sites are less demanding and more accessible to divers of all levels compared to the Galapagos Islands. One of the island’s highlights is the massive manta aggregations, though these are unpredictable and don’t occur every year. Your best chance to see this spectacle is during the warmer months.

Best Season to Dive

July to November: Dry and Cool Season

From July to November, the dry and cool season brings cooler waters and choppier seas, but it’s also the best time to see whale sharks in the Galápagos. In Isla de la Plata, conditions are similar, with the added possibility of spotting humpback whales and giant manta rays migrating from June to September.

December to June: Wet and Warm Season

The wet and warm season runs from December to June. Visibility improves, and the seas are calmer and warmer. Water temperatures can reach up to 24°C, making it ideal for spotting manta and eagle rays in the Galápagos from December to April.

Diving Difficulty and Equipment Recommendations

The Galápagos Islands can have strong currents, especially around Wolf and Darwin Islands. Most liveaboards require at least 30 dives and an Advanced Open Water Certification. Waters can be as cold as 15°C, so a 7mm wetsuit or a dry suit with a thick hood and gloves is recommended. The gloves are useful for holding onto rocks without hurting your hands.

The waters around Puerto Lopez are friendlier, with no minimum dive requirements. This makes it an excellent choice for less experienced divers or those looking for a more relaxed dive. Temperatures are similar to the Galápagos Islands.