🤿 Scuba Diving the Galapagos Islands
DAY 1: WELCOME TO ECUADOR!
Your journey begins in Quito, a city of stunning colonial architecture and vibrant culture. Upon arrival, enjoy a private transfer to the elegant GOQUITO HOTEL, where you will stay for 2 nights in a Premium Room (breakfast & taxes included).
DAY 2: COLONIAL QUITO
We start the morning visiting the Equator, Latitude 0 º 0'0 ". Our first stop will be at the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo where the main monument is located. Here, you won’t miss the chance to take a photo with your foot in the northern hemisphere and the other in the south! After a short walk within this small tourist complex, we will visit the INTINAN Museum, located about 300 meters from the monument. This interactive Museum will teach you about the different cultures of Ecuador and some other facts applicable on the Equator line.
A tour of Quito that is sure to impress! It starts in the old colonial Quito in the main square, where the presidential palace, the main cathedral and some other important buildings can be appreciated. Then it continues to Plaza San Francisco, with a quick stop in the way so that you can try the typical sweets of Quito. San Francisco is the oldest church in Quito, and it is full of history and legends.
Our next stop will be a Chocolate Experience, where you will have a chance to discover and taste the finest chocolate in the world! Ecuadorians are very proud of being one of the most important world producers of the finest aroma cocoa seeds and here you will learn the process of turning cacao into creamy chocolate for consumption.
Of final stop will be Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, one of the most beautiful churches in South America, or perhaps the world, truly a treasure. (B, L)
DAY 3: FLY TO GALAPAGOS
Private transfer to the airport in Quito for your flight to the Galapagos. Upon arrival at Baltra Airport your personal guide will meet you and take you on an unforgettable adventure. Begin with a picturesque ferry ride from the Itabaca Channel to Santa Cruz Island, followed by a scenic 45-minute drive to Puerto Ayora. Along the way, enjoy a stop in the stunning highlands of Santa Cruz, where you’ll witness the island's unique vegetation zones, from arid coastal landscapes to lush highlands. Discover the vibrant land birds, exotic trees, and the majestic giant tortoises that call this place home. Lunch will be served here!
Then transfer to Santa Cruz. Your stay at the IKALA HOTEL promises comfort and relaxation. Enjoy 4 nights. Breakfast and local taxes are included, ensuring a hassle-free experience. (B,L)
DAY 4: GORDON ROCKS (2 dives)
Ready to take your diving adventure to the next level? Gordon Rocks is one of the most thrilling and legendary dive sites in the Galápagos Islands—world-famous for its schools of hammerhead sharks, majestic pelagic, and heart-pounding currents that challenge even seasoned divers.
Located just an hour east of Santa Cruz Island, this extinct volcanic crater—marked by three towering rock formations above the surface—drops dramatically to depths of 60 meters. Beneath the waves, a stunning underwater landscape awaits, with four pinnacles and a crater floor that reaches 30 meters. Most dives take place inside the caldera, weaving through rocky terrain and sandy slopes teeming with marine life. (B, L)
DAY 5: NORTH SEYMOUR – CHANNEL / MOSQUERA NORTH
Just a short ride from Santa Cruz Island, Seymour Channel and Mosquera Islets offer two of the most accessible and wildlife-rich dives in the Galápagos. Ideal for all experience levels, these sites are known for great visibility, rich marine life, and the chance to see everything from reef dwellers to pelagic predators—all in one trip!
Seymour Channel – A Classic Galápagos Dive. Only 25 minutes by boat from the Itabaca Channel, Seymour Channel is a diver favorite thanks to its high activity, proximity, and vibrant marine encounters.
Mosquera Islets – A Magnet for Marine Life. North of Baltra Island and also just 25 minutes from Santa Cruz, Mosquera Islets combine easy conditions with high chances of spotting sharks, rays, and vast schools of reef fish. Drift over a rocky slope to a sandy platform at 12 meters, home to the endemic Galápagos Garden eels. Search the blue for Hammerhead, Blacktip, Whitetip, and Galápagos Sharks
Witness the action at a Black-tip Shark cleaning station on the reef. Encounter Mobulas, Golden Rays, Green Turtles, and Bonito Tuna. Marvel at reef life like Snappers, Surgeonfish, Triggerfish, and more.
(B, L)
DAY 6: BARTOLOME / COUSINS ROCK
Just off the coast of Santiago Island lies the iconic Bartolomé, best known for its striking Pinnacle Rock — but beneath the waves, another world awaits. Dive into a spectacular underwater landscape just 1.5 hours from the Itabaca Channel, where a broad, sandy-rocky platform at 10 meters depth provides the perfect stage for an unforgettable underwater adventure.
This calm, protected site is ideal for divers of all levels and teams with marine life. From graceful whitetip and Galapagos sharks to elegant green turtles, stingrays, marbled and golden rays, mobulas, and starfish, you’ll be surrounded by life at every turn.
At the platform’s edge, cliffs descend into deeper waters starting at 15 meters, offering an excellent chance to encounter pelagic species. After your dive, cruise toward Pinnacle Rock for a unique opportunity to spot the endemic Galapagos penguin — the only penguin that lives on the equator!
Cousins Rock – A Macro-Lover’s Dream with Big Surprises: Located just 15 minutes from Bartolomé, Cousins Rock is one of the Galapagos’ best-kept secrets — a favorite among seasoned dive guides and liveaboard cruises. With light to moderate currents and a shallow platform perfect for playful encounters with sea lions, it’s an accessible site that offers something for everyone. Glide along reef walls covered in black coral, peek into niches hiding seahorses and Galapagos shrimp, and explore an underwater realm filled with macro life and reef fish. Divers with a keen eye will fall in love with the tiny barnacle blennies, blue-banded gobies, and the charismatic long-nosed and coral hawkfish. (B, L)
DAY 7: MOSQUERA SOUTH / DAPHNE
Nestled between North Seymour and Baltra, Mosquera Islet is a diver’s paradise that rivals its more famous neighbors in every way. Just 25 minutes from the Itabaca Channel, this expansive sandy islet boasts thrilling dive sites frequented by hammerhead, Galapagos, and white-tip sharks, as well as an incredible variety of rays, reef fish, and marine curiosities like garden eels.
The southern site, Mosquera South, offers a dynamic diving experience with moderate to strong currents, yet remains accessible even for beginners. Descend along a sloping reef starting at just 5 meters, then explore a rich rocky landscape down to 18 meters, blanketed in black corals and mollusks. Deep still, a dramatic underwater rift plunges to 30 meters, where hammerhead sharks gather at a natural cleaning station — a rare and unforgettable encounter.
Daphne Minor : Often overlooked and always uncrowded, Daphne Minor is a true hidden gem, located just 40 minutes northwest of the Itabaca Channel. This stunning dive site offers a vivid underwater world of colorful reef life, unique topography, and a mix of macro and pelagic species — all in one dive! Currents here range from moderate to strong, but the site suits divers of all levels. Begin your adventure in a shallow cave where whitetip sharks rest and sea lions dart in and out to play, then choose your path: one side features gentle platforms with coral-filled crevices, while the other drops into a dramatic wall covered in black coral, a hotspot for seahorses, blennies, and other elusive microfauna. With gorgonians, sponges, and vibrant corals blanketing the reef, this dive is as colorful as it is exciting — and you’re likely to have it all to yourself. (B, L)
DAY 8: TORTUGA BAY AND CHARLES DARWIN STATION
Tortuga Bay has a gigantic, perfectly preserved beach with pristine white sands, turquoise waters, and abundant wildlife. It is forbidden to swimmers and is preserved for wildlife where many marine iguanas, Galapagos crabs and birds are seen dotted along the volcanic rocks. There is a separate cove where you can swim where it is common to view white-tip reef sharks swimming in groups and on occasion tiger sharks.
When you arrive at the entrance, there is a trail that leads to the beach. The trail is paved and well- maintained, and visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. Along the path, visitors can spot various animals like iguanas, birds, and sea turtles, making it an excellent opportunity for nature photography. Kayak opportunity.
Lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, visit the famous Charles Darwin Station. The Charles Darwin Research Station is a must-visit destination in Puerto Ayora, for those interested in conservation and the remarkable Galapagos Islands. Here you will be introduced to the groundbreaking work being done by scientists and researchers. The tour begins with a visit to the museum, where visitors can view displays and exhibits that explain the history of the Galapagos Islands, the work of Charles Darwin, and the ongoing conservation efforts on the islands. The museum also gives visitors a glimpse into the ecosystems, plant life, and animals found on the islands.
Next, tour the breeding centers for giant tortoises and land iguanas. These are remarkable creatures that have been rescued from various areas of the island where they were endangered. The Charles Darwin Research Station aims to increase their populations so that they may be reintroduced into their natural habitats. (B, L)
DAY 9: TRANSFER OUT
Private transfer in time for your flight back home. (B)
COST: From $4299 per person/double occupancy
$500 single supplement
Included in Your Tour:
Services of a professional guide
INGALA migration Control Card
Experienced guides bilingual in English and Spanish
Check dive (check weight and gear) 5-10 minutes
2 dives per day
All dive equipment – Wetsuit 5 & 7mm, BCD, regulator, booties, fins, Hood, tanks
Lunch and snacks and drinking water
Towels
Pictures and videos taken by the guide
Not included in Your Tour:
International or domestic flights: Quito to Baltra or San Cristobol
Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee ($200 USD)
Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks.
Personal expenses
Gratuities for crew and guide
Travel Insurance (Highly Recommended USI Travel Insurance Services)
Dates available year-round. All itineraries are subject to change based on weather, bird locations, and local conditions.
Experience the magic of Cuba with Mariah Travel—where culture, nature, and birding come together for an unforgettable journey!